Car bomb in front of Mexico police station wounds seven

A car bomb detonated near a police station in Ojocaliente, Zacatecas, Mexico, on Sunday night, injuring seven people, according to authorities. The attack occurred in a region where two of Mexico's largest drug cartels are battling for control of major drug trafficking routes. This marks the third such explosion in the state within a week, as reported by AFP.

The explosive device was concealed in a private vehicle, causing damage to the police station and nearby properties. Six civilians sustained injuries and are receiving medical care, while a police officer was also wounded by the blast. Thirteen vehicles, including two patrol cars, were damaged. In response, local authorities announced that schools would be closed on Monday and that the town's patron saint festival celebrations were canceled.

Zacatecas plays a crucial role in the drug trade, connecting central Mexico with the north and west regions, and is a significant corridor for smuggling narcotics to the United States. The state has long been plagued by drug violence, with numerous bodies found and people going missing regularly until a period of relative peace emerged.

However, in July, five bodies were found hanging from a bridge in the nearby town of Pozos de Gamboa, about 75 kilometers from Ojocaliente. The victims included a former mayor, civil servants, and businesspeople from various parts of the state. The incident drew the attention of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who vowed to apprehend those responsible.

She has deployed military forces to violence-ridden states such as Sinaloa and Michoacan in response to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene directly against the cartels to prevent drugs from crossing the border into the United States.