Clash between self-defense groups in Guerrero leaves 16 dead

What was planned as a meeting to forge a non-aggression pact among two self-defense groups of Guerrero ended with the slaughter of 16 people, including Xolapa's community leader Ignacio Policarpo Rodríguez.

 

The clash happened on Saturday afternoon when civil guards of Ocotito and Xolapa held a meeting that they were supposed to attend unarmed, Bertoldo Martínez Cruz explained.

 

According to Martínez that the community leaders of El Ocotito came armed with goat horns and attacked their counterparts of Xolalpa.

 

He blamed Salvador Alanís, leader of the community forces of El Ocotito, for the incident and added that they will file complaints at the local and federal Attorney General's Offices.

Guerrero governor Rogelio Ortega confirmed that 16 people were killed in the incident and added that it was due to a territorial dispute over the Acapulco-Chilpancingo corridor. The state Human Rights Commission is investigating the case.