Over 30 killed, found dead, in pieces around Mexico

Nineteen were reported killed or found dead in incidents around Mexico over 31 January-1 February, and more in following days in kidnappings, executions and shootouts between state forces and suspected criminals. Among the 19 were seven suspected gangsters shot dead by soldiers on 1 February in the north-eastern district of Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas, and five youngsters aged 18-22 years, shot dead then left outside the town hall of Tecpan de Galeana in the western state of Guerrero. Proceso reported separately on 2 February the deaths at an unspecified date of four car dealers from the western state of Michoacán, apparently after they were kidnapped in Tamaulipas and in spite of their families paying ransom for them twice. The four went to Ciudad Victoria on 10 January to buy cars; they were buried in the locality of Cuitzeo in Michoacán on 1 February, Proceso reported. The review also reported two murders, of a woman and a man on 3 February in the north-central and central districts of Zacatecas and Ecatepec respectively; a message was found by her body, presumably left by her assassins. Two municipal policemen were reported shot dead in the north of the east-coast state of Veracruz early on 3 February, while the dismembered body of a transport official was left on 2 February at a petrol station in Gómez Palacio in the state of Durango. In Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas, seven suspected criminals were killed in two gun battles in the city on 2 February, La Crónica de Hoy reported. Authorities made a public presentation on 3 February of 18 detainees thought involved in the killings of six or more people in Toluca in the central Estado de México in late January, Milenio reported. These were thought to have formed three criminal cells involved in activities including theft and drug dealing, and caught through collaboration between marines, federal police and state security authorities. The review Proceso stated they were presumed members of the cartel La Familia Michoacana.