Fatal Clash: 2 Killed as Police Confront Locals Protesting Pork Processing Plant in Mexico

Photo : AP

SAN ANTONIO LIMON, Mexico — A tragic confrontation unfolded in the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz when protests over alleged water contamination by a pork processing plant turned deadly. On Thursday, two individuals lost their lives as tensions escalated between local residents of San Antonio Limon and state security forces.

The community had been voicing concerns about environmental issues caused by the plant, accusing it of polluting the local aquifer and depleting water resources. In response, residents had blocked roads, demanding government intervention to address the situation.

The conflict reached a boiling point when state security forces arrived in San Antonio Limon, also known as Totalco. Protesters claimed that the police used excessive force, including physical violence and gunfire. According to the Veracruz state prosecutor's office, brothers Alberto (22) and Jorge Cortina Vázquez (27) were fatally shot during the clash. Carlos Cortina Vázquez, another brother, recounted that his siblings were not involved in the protest but were caught in the chaos.

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"They were just passing by and when the police started shooting, everyone scattered," Carlos said. "That's when they were shot at as if they were animals."

Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as residents sought refuge in their homes while approximately 400 police officers pursued them. Some residents displayed shell casings they claimed came from police weapons.

The Veracruz state prosecutor's office swiftly launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths. Meanwhile, the state interior agency, responsible for security matters, issued a statement asserting that the protesters had detained two state police officers and had shown reluctance to engage in dialogue.

"The closure of dialogue by the protest group exacerbated the situation," the agency stated, noting that this was not the first time demonstrators had blocked the highway for an extended period. The agency also announced that the case would be subject to an internal investigation by the state police.

Amidst the clashes, three members of the state security forces sustained injuries, according to the agency's report.

The incident in San Antonio Limon underscores the deep-seated tensions between communities and industrial operations in Mexico, highlighting environmental concerns and the sometimes fraught relationship between local residents and law enforcement.