Key facts
- A Mexican gang kidnapped three officials in Morelos state on Monday.
- The gang's motive was to secure the release of a detained high-ranking member.
- Authorities released the detained gang member to protect the lives of the officials.
- The gang released the three officials later on Monday evening.
- One official was hospitalized with a gunshot wound but is in stable condition.
A criminal gang in Mexico's central Morelos state seized three officials on Monday, demanding the release of a high-ranking member of the Pueblos Unidos gang who had been detained hours earlier. The attorney-general's office in Morelos confirmed the arrest of the gang member as part of an anti-extortion operation. In response, the gang abducted the three officials. The attorney-general's office stated that it released the detained suspect to prioritize the lives of its staff, adhering to official guidelines. The gang subsequently released all three employees on Monday evening local time. One of the released officials sustained a gunshot wound but was reported to be in stable condition. Criminal groups in Mexico frequently resort to violence, including roadblocks and gunfights, to secure the release of arrested leaders. President Claudia Sheinbaum has deployed thousands of soldiers to affected states to manage such violence.