Key facts
- Mexico is experiencing a rise in bomb attacks by criminal gangs, including car bombs and explosive-laden drones.
A recent surge in bomb attacks across Mexico, including car bombs and explosive-laden drones, signals an escalation in cartel violence. The latest incident in Zacatecas injured 11 people and damaged buildings, with officials attributing it to organized crime groups evolving their tactics.
The increasing use of sophisticated explosive devices by criminal organizations in Mexico signifies a dangerous evolution in cartel tactics, posing a significant threat to public safety, law enforcement, and national stability.
A recent escalation in cartel violence across Mexico has seen an increase in bomb attacks, ranging from car bombs to drones rigged with explosives. The latest incident occurred on Sunday in the central Mexican state of Zacatecas, where a suspected car bomb injured at least 11 people, including two police officers, and damaged about 40 buildings. Governor David Monreal stated that the attack was likely carried out by a criminal group in retaliation for the arrest of one of its members on Saturday.
This explosion follows nearly a dozen similar incidents in Zacatecas, with the state's security head, Arturo Medina, reporting a rise from one such incident in 2024 to six in 2025, and 10 so far this year. Medina did not specify the number of victims from these attacks. Governor Monreal emphasized that organized crime is evolving its methods.
Other states, including Michoacan, have also experienced similar attacks where criminal groups have used explosives to target security facilities, communities, or law enforcement, resulting in the deaths of military personnel. The Mexican central government has not yet commented on the issue.