New drone attack in Tuxpan prison: context and details
The Tuxpan Social Reintegration Center, located in the north of Veracruz, recorded its second attack with explosive devices launched by drones in a period of 72 hours on Sunday, August 17. According to police sources, three grenades were thrown into the prison complex around 9:30 p.m., although only one detonated, causing material damage with no human victims. This incident occurs in a context of growing insecurity in the state’s prisons, where criminal groups such as the self-styled “Veracruzana Mafia” —formerly known as “Grupo Sombra”— operate with impunity.
Pattern of violence and security failures
Sunday’s attack replicated the modus operandi of that which occurred on Friday, August 15, when two cylindrical-shaped explosives were launched unsuccessfully from drones. Despite the deployment of federal and state forces—including the National Guard, Army and Navy—none of the incidents have been officially explained by authorities. Analysts point out that this omission reflects the structural weaknesses in the prison system, evidenced since the August 2 riot that left eight inmates dead and 10 injured.
Inmate testimonies, broadcast in videos, accuse collusion between officials and criminal groups. The former director of the prison, Antonio Huesca—murdered in June—is specifically mentioned, who allegedly facilitated extortions that ranged between 5,000 and 200,000 pesos per inmate. These events coincide with the murder of René Vergara, director of the Amatlán de los Reyes prison, on August 14, and the murder of taxi driver Irma Hernández in Álamo Temapache for refusing to pay extortion.
Regional implications and pending responses
The escalation of violence is not limited to the Tuxpan prison. The northern region of Veracruz faces a wave of drug violence linked to territorial disputes and control of illicit activities. Experts emphasize that the use of drones for attacks – a tactic documented in international conflicts – sets a dangerous precedent in Mexico, where the technology is increasingly used for criminal purposes.
In the absence of official statements, civil organizations demand transparency and comprehensive strategies that address both internal corruption and the financial networks of these groups. Data from the National Public Security System reveal that Veracruz occupies third national place in intentional homicides linked to organized crime during 2025.
What’s next? The recurrence of these attacks suggests meticulous planning by criminal groups, while the authorities seem to react in a fragmented manner. The lack of coordination between federal and state agencies aggravates the problem, according to diagnoses by organizations such as the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO).
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