Clash between Mexican troops and drug gang leaves 25 dead

The military unit involved in the fire fight said that a clash between the army and gang members at a ranch near Mexico’s northern city of Monterrey left at least 25 gang members dead.

3 September 2010, 12:00am

1 min read

Two soldiers were wounded and three the gang had kidnapped were set free in the action near Ciudad Mier, on the US border, the IV Military Region command said.

The command explained that the shootout took place after an aerial search detected “gunmen outside a building” in the city in Tamaulipas state. The same city has seen the massacre of 72 migrants last week.

Media reports said the military stormed a training camp set up by suspected drug gang members. However, the military statement made no mention of this.

According to the military command, 23 assault weapons and 23 vehicles were seized at the ranch, including two “painted to look like military vehicles.”

Officials are blaming the shootouts, kidnappings and killings in northeastern Nuevo Leon and neighbouring Tamaulipas on disputes between the Gulf gang the Zetas.

Since 2006, more than 28,000 people have died in suspected drug violence according to official figures.