Mexican Army attacked by pro-cartel citizens with explosives

Mexican troops were attacked by residents of a town controlled by a drug cartel after they accused the military of firing on protests and wounding several people, reported the Associated Press.

Mexico’s army was attacked on Saturday in the town of Lomas Blancas in the state of Michoacán with explosives, homemade armored cars, and gunfire, the Defense Department reported. At least ten soldiers were wounded.

The army claims the town residents are acting as the “social base” of the Jalisco drug cartel.

In Michoacan, the Jalisco drug cartel is fighting a turf war with other gangs from the region. Currently, the Jalisco cartel is trying to make inroads into Michoacan.

Residents of Lomas Blancas claim that the government favors the Viagras cartel. While the government has tried to stop the Jalisco cartel from gaining territory, it has done little to stop Viagras' expansion, they said.

Protestors demanded that the government treat both cartels equally and open the roads.

During the clashes, both sides “have used trenches, sharpshooters and bombs dropped by drones in battling each other. Increasingly, civilians have found themselves on the front lines of the fighting,” reported the Associated Press.

Jose Franciso Helizondo, who organized the protests, said bullets wounded several resdents.

After the protests, six people townspeople were detained, along with nine suspected cartel members, the army said. Several rifles and tactical gear were also confiscated.