Recently, an investigation was launched in northern Mexico after two Arizona women were found shot to death in an overturned vehicle on a dangerous stretch of highway. The victims, aged 72 and 82 and identified only by their last names, were dual citizens of the U.S. and Mexico with roots in Caborca, Mexico. The Mexican attorney general’s office for the state of Sonora reported that a stolen Ford F-150, an AK-47, and ammunition believed to be linked to the murders were found by investigators from the Mexican National Guard and the army.
Following the discovery of the women’s bodies, security forces from three levels of government began an operation to locate and arrest the criminal group responsible for the murders. Sonora and the Sonoyta-Caborca highway are known for violence and trafficking of migrants, with a history of violent incidents. This includes an incident in June 2023, where a California student doing horticulture research in Sonora was found shot seven times in an SUV. In December, two U.S. residents and one U.S. citizen were shot at by gunmen while traveling a highway in Sonora, resulting in the death of one man.
The state of Sonora was once controlled by infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who was arrested in 2016 and is serving a life sentence in Colorado. Despite his incarceration, violence and criminal activity continue in the region, with three cartels engaged in ongoing conflicts in Sonora. The situation has prompted Mexican prosecutors to consider treason charges following the recent arrest of drug lord ‘El Mayo’ Zambada in the U.S.
The Arizona women’s deaths are the latest in a series of violent incidents along the Sonoyta-Caborca highway, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by travelers in the region. Despite the risks, many individuals, including U.S. citizens, continue to travel through Sonora for various reasons, exposing themselves to potential harm from criminal elements. The U.S. State Department has not yet issued a statement in response to the recent murders, but the incident underscores the need for increased vigilance and security measures in the area.
The murders of the two Arizona women in Mexico have raised concerns about the safety and security of travelers in the region, particularly along the Sonoyta-Caborca highway. Authorities in Sonora have launched an investigation into the killings, with security forces from multiple levels of government working to identify and apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the murders. The incident is part of a larger pattern of violence and criminal activity in the area, with cartels vying for control and engaging in violent confrontations.
The deaths of the two women, along with previous incidents of violence in Sonora, underscore the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating organized crime and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors in the region. The presence of multiple cartels and the history of violence in Sonora make it a high-risk area for travelers, highlighting the need for increased security measures and vigilance. Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to address the root causes of violence and instability in the region, with law enforcement agencies working to dismantle criminal organizations and bring those responsible for violent acts to justice.
