Zacatecas security chief says state under 'constant siege' after car bomb

A car bomb exploded outside a municipal police station in Ojocaliente, Mexico, on Sunday, wounding 11 people and damaging dozens of buildings. The attack has prompted a senior security official to warn that criminal groups are intensifying pressure on local law enforcement.

Arturo Medina, Zacatecas Security Secretary, described the situation as a "constant siege," saying authorities have intelligence that certain groups are attempting to co-opt public security chiefs. "They want to force us to give in," he said, adding that any official found to be involved would be removed and fired.

State Government Secretary Rodrigo Reyes said a civilian parked the explosives-laden vehicle near the station and left it running. A female municipal police officer was about to inspect the vehicle when the device was triggered, just before she was due to leave the station.

Reyes confirmed 11 people were injured in the blast, with one in serious condition. The explosion also damaged 36 properties in Ojocaliente, a city of about 20,000 people located roughly 600 kilometers northwest of Mexico City.

Governor David Monreal said the attack was the most serious of three explosive incidents over the weekend. Medina noted that authorities have recorded 10 explosive attacks in Zacatecas so far this year, up from six in 2025 and one in 2024.

State prosecutors suspect the Jalisco New Generation Cartel may be behind the attack, citing the vehicle's reported theft in neighboring Jalisco state and the group's presence in the area. Mexico's federal Security Cabinet said it is investigating but provided no further details.