OPERATION AGAINST “LOS ZÚÑIGA” TARGETS MUNICIPAL CORRUPTION AND HIGHWAY ROBBERY IN PUEBLA

ESPERANZA, Puebla, Mexico — As part of the ongoing "Enjambre" operation, federal and state security forces executed 23 simultaneous raids in the municipality of Esperanza, located in the state of Puebla, Mexico. The coordinated intervention targeted a criminal organization identified as “Los Zúñiga,” which has been heavily linked to cargo theft along the strategic Puebla–Veracruz highway corridor, as well as systematic extortion and other high-impact crimes affecting regional commerce and transit.

The large-scale operation was spearheaded by the Guardia Nacional, the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC), and the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), bolstered by advanced intelligence and crucial support from local state forces. According to official reports, the sweep struck deep into the operational structures of the group, uncovering severe municipal infiltration.

Among the most significant results announced by authorities were:

• The arrest of the municipal president of Esperanza.
• The detention of the former municipal director of Public Safety.
• A total of 9 individuals put at the disposal of judicial authorities.

During the 23 coordinated search warrants, security personnel also secured an array of illicit assets used by the criminal network:

• Various firearms and ammunition magazines.
• Multiple vehicles, including heavily armored units.
• Tactical equipment, a surveillance drone, and a signal jammer.

In the wake of the sweeping enforcement actions, institutional instability became immediately apparent within local law enforcement ranks. Authorities reported that 16 out of the 19 municipal police officers chose to desert their posts following the raids. To ensure public safety and restore order in the region, control of municipal security has been temporarily assumed by the state's Secretaría de Seguridad Pública.

Local community members and regional transport associations have expressed cautious optimism regarding the dismantling of corrupt local networks, emphasizing the urgent need for long-term stability and protection along vital economic routes. Security analysts noted that targeting institutional corruption remains a critical pillar in breaking the cycle of highway crime in central Mexico.