Gunmen Kill 12 at Religious Celebration in Irapuato, Mexico
Twelve people were killed and about 20 wounded when gunmen opened fire during a St. John the Baptist celebration in Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico. The attack occurred while people were celebrating in the street. Guanajuato has been one of Mexico's most violent states due to battles between organized crime groups, with over 1,400 homicides recorded there in the first five months of the year.
Unpacked:
St. John the Baptist’s feast, celebrated on June 24, marks the beginning of the monsoon season in Catholic tradition. In Mexico, it is associated with lively community gatherings, water rituals, and midsummer festivities, reflecting both religious and pre-Hispanic traditions centered on renewal and fertility.
Guanajuato has become one of Mexico’s most violent states due to ongoing conflicts between powerful drug cartels and organized crime groups, who compete for control of lucrative trafficking routes and local extortion rackets. This rivalry has led to frequent violent incidents and a high homicide rate.
The main groups vying for control in Guanajuato are the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel. Their turf wars over drug trafficking, fuel theft, and extortion have fueled much of the region’s violence.
The Mexican government has deployed federal security forces, increased police presence, and conducted targeted operations against organized crime in Guanajuato. However, corruption, local resistance, and cartel power have limited the effectiveness of these efforts, and violence remains a persistent challenge.