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More than 3,800 additional military troops sent to troubled state of Zacatecas

Zacatecas, Mexico — General Luis Crescencio Sandoval, Secretary of National Defense has announced an additional 3,848 military elements to reduce crime rates. The announcement came after two days of meetings with state and federal officials, which included Mexico’s President López Obrador.

Sandoval said the reinforcements will be distributed in three regions. In the north with 804 elements, the center with 1,940 and south of the state with another 1,104 military elements.

He also said they will support 90 more agents in the neighboring states of Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato and Jalisco as a containment measure. Two helicopters from the Army and one more from the National Guard will also be provided for surveillance and air operations.

He explained that they intend to reduce the rates of violence being experienced in the state, in particular, homicides, which he says have increased from 560 cases in 2019, to 920 in 2020 and 1,277 so far in 2021.

Sandoval added that the strategy will be implemented for 30 days after which time, an evaluation will be made for adjustments. On Wednesday, Jalisco governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez said he was adding additional security to his shared border with the state of Zacatecas to keep out criminal groups.