A U.S. citizen from California died early Sunday morning after being struck by gunfire during a clash between Mexican Army soldiers and an armed convoy near Santa Anita, just north of San José del Cabo. Six other people were injured in the incident, including two soldiers, a 65-year-old woman, and a 14-year-old child.
The confrontation began late Saturday night when soldiers on patrol along the Transpeninsular Highway heard gunfire and encountered a group of armed individuals traveling in multiple vehicles. The gunmen opened fire on the troops, who returned fire. The American was wounded during the exchange and died in the early hours of Sunday. Four other civilians and two soldiers are receiving medical treatment.
Safe House Raided, Weapons Seized
The following morning, authorities raided a suspected cartel safe house in the Costa Dorada subdivision of San José del Cabo. Security forces seized four long-barrel firearms, two tactical vests, a radio, 15 tire-spike strips (known locally as ponchallantas), and two vehicles believed to have been used by the attackers. The suspected gunmen fled the scene during the overnight confrontation and remain at large.
The recovery of 15 tire-spike strips points to a planned operation by an organized armed group. These devices are used to block roads and prevent pursuit, a tactic associated with cartel convoys rather than spontaneous violence.
Cartel Infighting Blamed for Escalation
According to multiple reports, the violence is linked to an internal conflict within the Sinaloa Cartel. Fighting has intensified between the faction known as Los Chapitos and followers of former lieutenant René Bastidas, known as “El 00,” who reportedly broke with the group in recent weeks. The broader cartel war escalated after the capture of longtime leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada near El Paso, Texas, a conflict that has left hundreds dead or missing across western Mexico.
In early March, security forces arrested Francisco Javier Ibarra Romo, “El Burro,” a leader of the Chapitos’ armed wing known as “Los Burros” in Comondú, a municipality further north in Baja California Sur. That group had been fighting the Mayos’ armed wing, “Los Venados,” for control of the region.
Joint Security Operation Launched
The Baja California Sur State Security Council activated a joint inter-agency operation across the Los Cabos municipality. Forces from federal, state, and municipal levels of government are deployed to locate and detain those responsible. Authorities have urged residents not to share unverified information about the incident on social media.
Residents can report suspicious activity through the anonymous tip line at 089. Santa Anita sits roughly 10 kilometers north of downtown San José del Cabo along the main highway corridor that connects the twin resort cities.
The incident was first reported by the Baja California Sur state government through its official security council press release.