22 reported killed in clashes between Mexican police, gangs

Publisher	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date	24 July 2013
Cite as	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 22 reported killed in clashes between Mexican police, gangs, 24 July 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/520894a212.html [accessed 22 May 2023]
Disclaimer	This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

July 24, 2013

Mexican authorities say 22 people are dead after clashes between armed gangs and police in six towns in southwestern Michoacan state.

The Interior Ministry said the dead included two federal police officers and "20 presumed criminals."

Areas of Michoacan are under the control of violent drug gangs, who battle each other as well as government forces.

In May, President Enrique Pena Nieto sent in military forces to oversee security operations in the state, which is one of Mexico's most violent.

More than 70,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Mexico's drug war in the past seven years.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP