Organized Crime Uses 'Suicide Hitmen' to Commit Homicides in Mexico

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat 

Criminal groups have opted to employ kamikaze hitmen, that is, people who don't care about dying as long as they commit the crime.

On at least three occasions in recent years, criminal groups have opted to employ kamikaze hitmen, who commit their crimes knowing that the possibility of surviving is very low.

The recent assassination of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, could be seen as an example of this new strategy by criminals to impose their rule despite the strong protection that security forces provide to officials.

Minor Responsible for the Murder of Carlos Manzo

Víctor Manuel ‘N’, the 17-year-old identified as the murderer of Mayor Manzo, was not deterred even by the risk of being killed himself.

The minor took advantage of the revelry of the Day of the Dead celebrations (Saturday, October 1st) to blend in with the attendees and approach within a few meters of the victim, whom he shot at least seven times with a 9mm handgun, leaving him practically dead at the scene.

This occurred despite the fact that, according to the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Omar García Harfuch, the mayor had security details that were reinforced in May.

The federal official revealed that the seized weapon is linked to two violent incidents between rival criminal groups operating in the region, where local cells act in alliance with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and others operate in opposition.

Carlos Manzo was murdered by a minor.

In September, the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, defended his coordination with Governor Bedolla on Carlos Marín's program.

Other hitmen killed

Another case of these hitmen committing suicide occurred last year in Coyuca de Benítez, Guerrero, where, after evading security, a man murdered the then-candidate for mayor, José Alfredo Cabrera, during his campaign closing rally.

The candidate for the PRI-PAN-PRD coalition was about to begin his closing speech and, as he approached the stage, was greeting his supporters, unaware that an individual was pointing a gun at his head from behind and firing at least twice, killing him instantly.

Despite evading the security provided by the National Guard, the assailant, identified as Abel 'N', was also neutralized by members of that security institution in the town square after being killed in his attempt to flee.

Cabrera also had six private bodyguards, whom he paid for himself, after surviving an assassination attempt a year earlier, as well as the murder of his running mate, Aníbal Zúñiga, a few days prior.

José Alfredo Cabrera

The murderer of José Alfredo Cabrera died after committing the crime.

In November 2021, individuals carrying assault rifles and grenades attacked the Guaymas City Hall in Sonora, killing a bodyguard and a feminist activist, although one of the gunmen was also killed.

That day, the Feminist Collective of the Sea, led by Marisol Cuadras, symbolically occupied the building for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The occupation was attended by the Secretary of Public Security, Andrés Humberto Cano, and the mayor, Karla Córdova, according to the then-head of the Navy, Rafael Ojeda Durán.

“The two men got out to talk to them, and that's when the attack occurred, but they were after the captain, the Secretary of Public Security,” Ojeda Durán explained.

According to Governor Alfonso Durazo, the investigation focused on an attack against the Guaymas police chief, Andrés Humberto Cano.

Kamikaze hitmen

Kamikaze hitmen have been on the rise in recent years.

Federal forces vs. hitmen

So far in the current federal administration, federal security forces have had to resort to confrontations with hitmen in the face of constant direct attacks, mainly in states permeated by organized crime.

As a result of clashes between criminal groups and their infiltration into various criminal activities ranging from drug trafficking to extortion, illegal deprivation of liberty, and even political acts, among others, federal authorities have resorted to constant operations and protection for officials at various levels who have been threatened.

Sources: Milenio, Borderland Beat Archives