Zacatecas descended into chaos on October 3, 2025, as a wave of coordinated narcobloqueos shattered a fragile peace long maintained between rival criminal groups. In the early hours of Friday morning, armed factions launched simultaneous attacks across at least nine municipalities, paralyzing major highways and igniting dozens of vehicles.
Municipalities affected included Fresnillo, Sombrerete, Río Grande, Calera, Villanueva, Cuauhtémoc, Jerez, Enrique Estrada, and Pánfilo Natera. Criminal groups blocked roads using stolen buses and trucks, set fire to vehicles, and scattered tire-puncturing devices (ponchallantas), leaving hundreds of motorists stranded.
Authorities activated the “Plan Antibloqueos,” deploying federal and state forces to clear roadways and restore order. The Secretary General of Government, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, attributed the violence to a backlash from organized crime following recent security operations. “This is a reaction to the blows we’ve dealt to criminal groups,” he stated.
The most severe incidents occurred along federal highways 45, 49, and 54, including the Zacatecas-Durango and Zacatecas-Víctor Rosales routes. In Sombrerete and Fresnillo alone, over 28 vehicles were torched. One fatality was confirmed, marking a grim turn in the escalating conflict.
The breakdown of the so-called “narco peace”—an unofficial truce between cartels—has reignited fears of prolonged violence in the region. Zacatecas had seen relative calm in recent months, but this eruption signals a dangerous shift in criminal dynamics.
Security forces continue to patrol affected areas, and authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and avoid travel on compromised routes. The state government has vowed to pursue those responsible and reinforce its commitment to public safety.
Source: Azteca Noticias
