12 killed in attack on a pre-Christmas party in central Mexico, say officials

Authorities in the state of Guanajuato reported at least 12 people were murdered and another dozen were injured in an early Sunday attack on a pre-Christmas party in central Mexico.

The incident occurred in Salvatierra, apparently at a hacienda, or property, that may be hired out for parties.

“So far 12 people are reported dead,” the state’s prosecutor’s office said on X, the former Twitter.

According to officials, twelve additional people were injured and were brought to the hospital.

The deaths were young people engaged in “posadas,” religious gatherings that commemorate portions of the Christmas narrative, according to the Tierra Negra organisation, which promotes social initiatives in the region.

According to a partygoer who begged not to be identified for security concerns, roughly six individuals armed with long rifles entered the premises and began circulating among the 100 or so young people in attendance.

“We realized they were not invited, and when they were asked who they were, they started shooting,” he said.

The victims were “all young acquaintances, admired and very good people. It’s a horror what is happening in Salvatierra,” Tierra Negra member Carlos Silva wrote on social media.

Authorities uncovered unmarked graves with at least 50 deaths in the city of 90,000 people three years ago.

Guanajuato is one of Mexico’s most dangerous states, owing to the existence and activities of criminal organisations, notably a couple of fighting drug cartels.

“I condemn the unfortunate act of violence that occurred in the community of San Jose del Carmen this morning. We are thoroughly cooperating with the prosecutor’s office,” Salvatierra Mayor German Cervantes posted on Facebook.

In a separate incident late Saturday about 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from Salvatierra, four men were shot dead in the city of Salamanca, also in Guanajuato, when attackers on motorcycles arrived at a barber shop and opened fire, local officials said.

Similar attacks have been recorded in recent years in Guanajuato, which this year topped the list of states with the most homicides in Mexico, with 3,029 so far, according to official figures.

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