Nine bodies were found yesterday by the authorities in the heart of Fresnillo, in central-northern Mexico, a city that is considered one of the most dangerous in the country and where the opposition candidate for the presidency started her campaign, as she focuses on the issue of security.

The victims undoubtedly paid the heaviest price in the conflict between two gangs, according to authorities. Next to the bodies were found “messages addressed to a rival gang,” a state government official in Sacatecas, Rodrigo Reges, explained via social networking sites.

Fresnillo, home to about 240,000 people, is on a drug-trafficking route controlled by two of Mexico’s most bloodthirsty gangs, the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, according to authorities.

The nine bodies were found abandoned on the ground, near a market. Two days earlier, gang members blocked roads and set fire to vehicles in retaliation for the arrests of 13 alleged thugs.

The situation is “under control”, assured Mr. Reges, however, calling on residents to be “careful” when moving around.

According to an official survey, 96% of Fresno residents fear becoming a victim of criminals; it is the city with the highest rate of insecurity in the entire country of about 126 million people.

The issue of security is at the heart of the campaign ahead of Mexico’s June 2 general election.

Center-right opposition presidential candidate Socil Gálvez kicked off her campaign in Fresnillo on the evening of March 1, pledging to end “deals” with drug cartels.

He also did well against the poll favourite, the centre-left coalition candidate. Claudia Sheinbaum, for her part, promises to continue the policy of outgoing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, fighting the social causes of violence (poverty, social exclusion…).