Authorities in Toluca, just west of Mexico City, are investigating a series of gruesome dismemberment cases believed to be the work of a violent drug cartel. The discovery of a severed human leg hanging from a pedestrian bridge has sent shockwaves through the city, with additional body parts found in different neighborhoods. The Familia Michoacana cartel, known for its ruthless tactics, has left handwritten signs at the crime scenes, indicating their involvement. These incidents come on the heels of recent violence in the region, raising concerns about the cartel’s expanding influence.
In Toluca, a severed human leg was found hanging from a pedestrian bridge, sparking fears of escalating violence. The trunk of the body was discovered on the street below, accompanied by handwritten signs bearing the signature of the Familia Michoacana cartel.
Later, more body parts were found in another neighborhood, also marked with cartel signs. The victim is believed to be a man between the ages of 35 and 40. Additionally, parts of another body were found elsewhere in the city, with a similar sign linked to the first case. Authorities are investigating whether the dismembered body discovered in a burning car is connected to the second victim.
The recent dismemberment cases in Toluca follow the discovery of four men and two women’s bodies near Monterrey, a city in northern Mexico. Toluca’s mayor, Raymundo Martínez Carbajal, has appealed for calm, acknowledging the growing presence of the Familia Michoacana cartel in the state capital. The cartel, which originated in Michoacan, has faced significant opposition in its home state but has found new territory in the State of Mexico and neighboring Guerrero.
The Familia Michoacana cartel has a history of leaving threatening banners in Toluca and other areas under its influence. Their tactics aim to intimidate rival gangs and assert dominance. Mutilated bodies dumped in public spaces or hung from bridges have become increasingly common in Mexico, reflecting the escalating violence between criminal organizations.
In a particularly disturbing incident last year, six severed heads were found on top of a Volkswagen in southern Mexico, accompanied by a warning sign. Similarly, during the June 2021 elections, two heads were left at polling stations in addition to other human remains in Tijuana.
The dismemberment cases in Toluca have raised concerns about the expanding influence of the Familia Michoacana cartel. With their brutal tactics and specialization in drug production and smuggling, the cartel poses a significant threat to the region’s security. Authorities are working diligently to investigate these cases and bring the perpetrators to justice.