At least 18 killed in clashes between cartel and armed militias in Mexico

At least 18 alleged members of the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation (CJNG) have been killed in the last few hours in clashes with armed civilians from the former self-defense groups in Michoacan, Mexico.

The militiamen halted the advance of the CJNG after a clash in an unpopulated area near the Chilatan dam, located at the apex of the municipalities of Jilotlan, Santa Maria El Oro and Tepalcatepec, Buenavista and Los Reyes.

The conflict worsened when the Army withdrew its troops from the Jilotlán-Tepalcatepec highway. Then the CJNG forces again attacked the towns on the border strip between Jalisco and Michoacán.

The clashes have been going on for several hours. For the moment the Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office has not appeared on the scene for the removal of the bodies.