At least five people were killed and seven others injured in a bar shooting in southeastern Mexico, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The incident occurred on Saturday night in Villahermosa, Tabasco state, as the country continues to grapple with rising violence.
In a statement, Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection revealed that a manhunt is underway for the perpetrators of the attack. “Five people lost their lives, and seven were injured. Analysis of video surveillance cameras is being carried out, and elements of state and federal authorities have deployed coordinated patrols to locate and arrest those responsible,” the statement read.
Local media reported that unidentified gunmen stormed the bar, known as La Casita Azul, and opened fire on patrons, leaving the scene covered with bloodied bodies.
Tabasco, known for its oil production facilities, has recently experienced a surge in violent crime. In November, six people were killed, and ten others were injured in a similar attack on another bar in Villahermosa.
This latest shooting is part of a broader trend of escalating violence across Mexico. Two weeks ago, ten people were reportedly killed in Queretaro, a city previously spared from violence linked to organized crime. That same weekend, six people were killed in a bar shooting in a Mexico City suburb.
Since the government deployed the military to combat drug trafficking in 2006, drug-related violence has claimed over 450,000 lives, according to official figures.