A gang war between La Linea and La Empresa crime groups has resulted in dozens of deaths in Juárez. The violence erupted after a cartel member’s girlfriend was killed, leading to retaliatory attacks. The killings have pushed the total number of homicides in Juárez to over 1,000 in 2023. Daniel Borunda reported
- Killings linked to ongoing war between La Linea and La Empresa crime groups
- Juárez records over 1,000 murders in 2023
Bloody Gang War Erupts in Juárez Following Cartel Member’s Girlfriend’s Death
A deadly conflict between rival factions of the once-powerful Juárez drug cartel, La Empresa and La Linea, has left numerous casualties in its wake, as authorities in Juárez reported. The violence was triggered by the murder of a cartel member’s girlfriend, leading to a wave of retaliatory violence that has claimed the lives of dozens in recent weeks. Chihuahua State Attorney General César Gustavo Jauregui Moreno revealed these details during a press conference held on Friday.
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The surge in violence began around Halloween, with authorities and local news sources reporting more than 50 murders in the first two weeks of November alone. Nov. 3 witnessed the highest number of casualties with 10 deaths. This spike in violence has raised concerns and put the police on high alert.
Juárez has already surpassed 1,000 homicides in 2023, including 94 in October. The victims include those targeted in street shootings, individuals gunned down in their homes, and the discovery of bodies wrapped in blankets and left in public places, known as “encobijados”.
Gilberto Loya, Chihuahua state public safety secretary, expressed concern over the recent surge in violence, stating that these three days of intensified bloodshed (Nov. 1-3) were highly unusual. He emphasized that the number of murders had generally been decreasing until this recent escalation.
Approximately 88% of all murders in Juárez are linked to organized crime, while the statewide figure stands at about 79%, according to the Chihuahua attorney general.
Origin of the Juárez Gang War
The conflict originated within the ranks of La Linea when one of its members decided to separate from the group, possibly due to the murder of his sentimental partner. This individual garnered support from another criminal organization, La Empresa, sparking a deadly war that resulted in numerous homicides on both sides, revealed Jauregui Moreno. The identities of the couple involved have not been disclosed.
Jauregui Moreno added that the individual who broke away from La Linea, along with the support of La Empresa, initiated the violent conflict that took place. The FBI has described La Empresa as a “hybrid gang/cartel” that emerged around 2018, while La Linea is the new name for what was historically known as the Juárez drug cartel.
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One of the alleged leaders of La Empresa, identified as 36-year-old Luis Alejandro C.R., also known as “El Borracho” or “El Chino,” was fatally shot on Dia de los Muertos, Nov. 2, at a tire repair shop on Zoltepec Street. This incident took place close to the iconic mountain sign that reads, “La Biblia es la Verdad. Leela” or “The Bible is the Truth. Read it,” as reported by the Norte Digital news site.
SWAT Raid at Funeral Vigil of Alleged Mob Leader
During a funeral vigil for the reputed La Empresa member on Nov. 7, state police SWAT officers conducted a daring operation by storming a house on Zoltepec Street. The state attorney general, Jauregui Moreno, described the raid as challenging due to the presence of mourners associated with organized crime. Many of them were armed, and guards were stationed on the roof of the building.
In the aftermath of the raid, state authorities arrested 11 suspected gunmen and confiscated four rifles, seven handguns, and various quantities of drugs. At least three of the apprehended individuals have reportedly confessed to involvement in several homicides.
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The day after the funeral vigil raid, officers from the State Investigations Agency arrested three more men who were traveling in a Dodge Durango. One of the.