Attack with explosives against police headquarters in Ojocaliente, Zacatecas

Alfredo Valadez Rodríguez

Correspondent

La Jornada Newspaper

Tuesday, September 1, 2026, p. 25

Zacatecas, Zac., Alleged members of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel (CJNG) used two cars – one of them reported stolen in Jalisco – loaded with explosives in the attack against the headquarters of the Municipal Public Security Directorate (DSPM) of Ojocaliente, according to sources from the state's Public Security Secretariat (SSP).

The attack carried out last night left a policewoman and 15 people injured, three seriously. Among the injured is a baby. In addition, 30 homes and 11 vehicles had severe damage.

In this regard, the federal security cabinet announced that it is investigating the attack with an “explosive device” against the command. "The institutions collaborate with the state authorities in the investigations to clarify the facts, identify and arrest those responsible. Authorities from the three levels of government reinforce the operation in the area to protect the population," he highlighted.

The source maintained that two vehicles exploded simultaneously – it is presumed that they were operated remotely with some digital device – causing serious damage to the corporation building and five homes (two on one side and three in front of the building) on ​​González Ortega Street in the capital of Ojocaliente, which were left in rubble.

Jorge Luis Gallardo Álvarez, director of Civil Protection of the state, stated in an interview that the shock wave of the explosion damaged homes in four blocks around the DSPM, of Ojocaliente, located about 30 kilometers southeast of the state capital.

Gallardo Álvarez asked the population of the metropolitan area of ​​the city of Zacatecas "not to be fooled", because due to the magnitude of the explosion and the people affected, "on social networks it is being reported that support is being requested for the victims", but that is false. He announced that the government of Zacatecas will carry out a specific census on the effects and will support the affected people.

Preliminarily, it was reported that about 30 houses were damaged, especially with cracks in walls, as well as broken or expired doors and windows, and shattered glass in dozens of houses.

The protectors of the stained glass windows of the towers of the Ojocaliente church were also broken, about 300 meters from the DSPM building.

Rodrigo Reyes Muguerza, general secretary of the state government, explained in an interview with regional radio that the attack in Ojocaliente “is a delicate, complex situation, but without a doubt the reading we have is that it is a reaction to some arrests that have been made in recent days.”

Since 2025, attacks with explosive devices on state police corporations have been frequent, the official admitted. The state prosecutor's office has open investigation files for attacks on police officers on state highways and dirt roads, in municipalities such as Valparaíso, Fresnillo, Villanueva, Jerez, Ojocaliente, Luis Moya and Villa Hidalgo.