CARTEL DRONE ATTACKS LEAVE MEXICAN VILLAGES UNDER SIEGE AS WORLD CUP SECURITY PUSH DRAWS CRITICISM. (PHOTO)

 Cartel drone attacks leave Mexican villages under siege as World Cup security push draws criticism

  Residents of rural communities in Guerrero, Mexico, were forced to seek shelter after cartel fighters launched attacks using explosive-carrying drones, escalating fears over growing criminal violence in the region.

The attack began early Wednesday morning as residents of Guajes de Ayala said explosions and gunfire erupted across the mountainous area. Community members said they had spent weeks warning authorities about the increasing presence of La Nueva Familia Michoacana, a powerful cartel that has been expanding into the area, but they claimed their requests for help went unanswered.

During the assault, 24-year-old Marilu Solorio hid inside an abandoned medical clinic with about 70 women, children, and elderly residents as fighting continued between cartel members and a local armed community defense group.

Solorio criticized the government’s focus on protecting major World Cup host cities while rural communities faced ongoing threats. She said residents felt abandoned as violence continued away from the spotlight of the international soccer tournament.

Mexican officials disputed reports of the attack, despite videos shared by residents showing gunfire and smoke rising from mountain areas where locals had established lookout points to monitor cartel movements. Authorities later said security forces were being sent to the area to verify the situation, strengthen their presence and provide protection.

The violence comes as Mexico has increased security efforts in major cities hosting World Cup events. The government deployed tens of thousands of security personnel to areas including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, aiming to prevent disruptions during the tournament.

Critics argue that concentrating resources in major cities left other regions more vulnerable to criminal groups. Security experts say communities already suffering from cartel conflicts were left with fewer law enforcement resources as authorities focused on protecting high-profile locations.

Other areas of Mexico have also experienced deadly violence in recent weeks. Clashes between criminal groups in Sinaloa resulted in multiple deaths, while authorities in Veracruz reported finding the body of a kidnapped journalist. In Chiapas, officials discovered several bodies alongside messages believed to be connected to cartel activity.

Residents of Guajes de Ayala said they had repeatedly warned authorities about the growing threat before the attack. They reported seeing cartel drones flying overhead and fighters moving closer to their homes but said no significant action was taken.

As gunfire continued, some residents took shelter in churches while others hid inside buildings throughout the community.

La Nueva Familia Michoacana has spent years expanding its influence in Guerrero while fighting rival groups for control of territory. In response to repeated attacks and what residents describe as a lack of government protection, some locals formed armed vigilante groups to defend their communities.

Those groups have acquired weapons, drones and other equipment while battling cartel forces, adding another layer of conflict in a region that has endured years of criminal violence.

For many residents in Guerrero, the latest attack represents another reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing communities caught between powerful criminal organizations and limited government protection.