Violence in Mexico: Nine people died in the attack on a bar in Guanajuato [VIDEO]

A group of armed men fired at a bar in the Mexican state Guanajuatoleaving nine people dead and two injured, local authorities said.

The attack took place on Wednesday evening when police received a report of several shots fired inside the building. Lexus Barlocated on the road in the municipality of Apaseo el Alto.

An investigation by the authorities confirmed “the presence of armed persons on board the van, who, upon arrival at the facility, opened fire on people who had gathered there,” the municipal authorities said in a statement.

The attack “killed 5 men and 4 women, and injured 2 more women, who are reported to be in stable condition,” the report said.

At the scene of the attack, two cars were seized, as well as two cards with messages hinting at a criminal group, the report said.

The municipal authorities also asked citizens to anonymously provide information about those responsible for this act “in order to strengthen the investigation and hold them accountable.” The authorities also launched an operation to search for the attackers, police confirmed.

Violence in Mexico

In the hours before the attack on the bar, about 18 cars and businesses were reported to have been set on fire in various municipalities near Apaseo el Alto.

Local media reported that the excesses would be revenge for last Tuesday’s seizure Juan Rodolfo Yepesone of the leaders of the criminal group Santa Rosa de Lima, which operates in the state.

Guanajuatoa thriving industrial hub, has become the most violent state in Mexico due to a dispute between Santa Rosa de Lima and the Jalisco Nueva Generacion cartel involved in drug trafficking and fuel theft, among other crimes.

According to government figures, there were 2,115 homicides in the region between January and August, which, together with five other states, accounted for 48.7% of the homicides committed in the country during this period (20,722 in total).

Mexico more than 340,000 murders have been recorded, most of them attributed to criminal organizations, since the start of a controversial military drug operation in December 2006. (AFP)