12 People Killed in Christmas Celebration by Gunmen in Mexico's Ongoing Wave of Violence

Gunmen attacked a religious celebration in Salvatierra, Mexico, killing 12 people and injuring 11 others. The incident occurred at a venue where a group of young people had gathered for a pre-Christmas event. The victims had no ties to any criminal organizations, according to the local mayor. Shootouts are not uncommon in this region, but they typically involve rival gangs targeting each other. Approximately 40 individuals, mostly young people, had gathered at the location, which used to be a ranch turned into a rental venue. They were celebrating Las Posadas, a tradition that re-enacts Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. A witness at the event stated that the gunmen shot indiscriminately after they were confronted by the guests. The victims have yet to be officially identified, but local media reported that members of the Mexican music band Dinastía Cornejo were among the injured. The band requested blood donations on their Facebook page, and unconfirmed reports suggest that a member of their support staff died in the attack. Two women were among those killed, and most of the victims were between the ages of 17 and 35. The state prosecutor's office is investigating the incident, but no motive for targeting this particular celebration has been revealed. Guanajuato, the state in which the attack occurred, had the highest number of murders between January and September of this year, mainly attributed to criminal gangs involved in fuel theft and fighting for control over territory and oil pipelines. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel are active in the state and increasingly engaged in oil theft for the black market.