Mexican Army, Cartel Gunmen Clash in Ocotlán, Jalisco

Mexican soldiers fought a gun battle with gunmen linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) on Thursday, November 12, in the city of Ocotlán in Jalisco state. Two gunmen were killed, a Honduran suspect was arrested, and a soldier and a local woman were wounded.

The clash began after troops responded to a report of a stolen vehicle. Soldiers located the car, but a chase developed with armed suspects and ended in an intense exchange of fire.

According to local media reports, one of the vehicles carrying the suspects was hit during the pursuit and overturned. The gunmen opened fire on the soldiers, who fired back. Two of the gunmen were killed at the scene and a third suspect, a citizen of Honduras, was detained. Others managed to escape.

Mexican soldiers and cartel gunmen exchanged fire in the streets of Ocotlán, Jalisco (Photo: Social media)

Mexico's Defense Ministry said in an official statement that a soldier and a local woman were wounded by the gunmen's fire. Both were taken for medical treatment and were reported in stable condition, with no danger to their lives.

Troops also seized a significant cache of weapons. It included a heavy .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle, a 5.56 mm machine gun, two other long guns and two 40 mm fragmentation grenades. Soldiers also confiscated a vehicle fitted with improvised armor that the suspects had been using.

Following the firefight, authorities declared an alert in the city's Marbellas and Lázaro Cárdenas neighborhoods. They asked residents to stay in their homes and avoid moving near the scene. Schools were told to suspend in-person classes, and the University of Guadalajara announced that classes at its campuses in Ocotlán, Atotonilco and La Barca were suspended until further notice.

The security operation continued after the shooting stopped, with the army and Mexico's National Guard searching by ground and air for the suspects who fled. Authorities said the seized weapons, the vehicle and the detainee had been handed over for further investigation.

The CJNG is a powerful criminal organization that operates across Mexico and is considered one of the country's main cartels.