MEXICO-EL CHAPO/SEARCH Residents relive fear after Mexican military roars in villages in hunt for fugitive drug kingpin Guzman

Record ID: 136093

  • Title: MEXICO-EL CHAPO/SEARCH Residents relive fear after Mexican military roars in villages in hunt for fugitive drug kingpin Guzman
  • Date: 23rd October 2015
  • Summary: EL AGUILA, DURANGO STATE, MEXICO (OCTOBER 22, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF OPENING IN DURANGO MOUNTAINS VARIOUS OF VEHICLE WITH BULLET HOLES EXTERIOR OF HOME WITH VEHICLE WITH BULLET HOLES OUTSIDE BULLET HOLES IN WINDSCREEN EXTERIOR OF HOME VARIOUS OF BULLET HOLES IN CEILING OWNER OF HOME EXPLAINING INCIDENT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DISPLACED PERSON FROM EL AGUILA COMMUNITY, JO
  • Embargoed: 7th November 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEH7OBL1HS1IB39SCN6SP9368Y
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Residents in the rural Mexican community of El Aguila inspected the damage to bullet-ridden homes and vehicles on Thursday (October 22) after marines reportedly launched an offensive in the area to capture the world's most-wanted drug boss, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
    According to reports, marine special forces came close to Guzman in the Durango-Sinaloa mountain region where El Aguila is located. The kingpin reportedly slipped away but sustained injuries to his face and leg whilst fleeing.
    Some residents fled their homes amidst reports of outbursts of violence between authorities and security forces.
    Jose Eraclio's home was amongst those damaged in the offensive, with bullet holes in his vehicle, home and furniture thrown to the floor.
    He recalled the dramatic scene when marines roared into the community.
    "A helicopter appeared provoking violence, shooting. If they arrived in another way, why the need to shoot due to families (in the area), innocent families because they've come up against them?" he said.
    Eraclio told Reuters he spent the night out hiding as the operation unfolded in El Aguila.
    "On the edge of Milpa we spent the rest of the day, all night on Tuesday (October 20) and we could not get close. It was like 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. at night when they started to attack El Verano (community). In fact, where we were you could see the lights from the helicopter from above down," he added.
    According to authorities, the military operation against Guzman is taking place in at least 12 other villages that dot the Sinaloa-Durango border area.
    In a statement, the Mexican government said it has worked with international agencies to capture Guzman, and that in recent weeks, efforts had been focused on the northwest of the country, not far from Guzman's native turf of Sinaloa state.
    Guzman, the head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, escaped from his high-security prison cell in July, reportedly through a tunnel, causing a major embarrassment for Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
    In August, the acting head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said the U.S. government believed Guzman was still in Mexico.
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