In Mexico's Michoacan state, six soldiers lost their lives and two others were injured after an explosive device detonated beneath their armored vehicle, according to an official military report cited by AFP.
The attack occurred late Tuesday near a small town in the western region of Michoacan, an area long affected by violent clashes among drug cartels vying for control over territory. The explosion was powerful enough to completely destroy the military vehicle transporting the soldiers.
Emergency military aircraft and helicopters were immediately deployed to evacuate the wounded and recover the fallen soldiers' bodies. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack as "deplorable," expressing her condolences and solidarity with the victims' families.
This region has frequently witnessed such violent incidents involving criminal groups, many of which employ improvised landmines and explosive-laden drones to target security forces. Similar attacks on military personnel have resulted in casualties in recent years.
Mexico continues to grapple with widespread criminal violence predominantly linked to drug trafficking, which has claimed approximately 480,000 lives since 2006. Additionally, more than 120,000 individuals remain missing nationwide.
The attack comes amid escalating pressure from the United States to curb cartel violence. Former US President Donald Trump classified six major Mexican drug trafficking organizations as terrorist groups, intensifying speculation about potential future military interventions.
