Two separate armed attacks in Mexico have left at least 16 people dead, including around a dozen police officers. In the state of Guerrero, unidentified attackers targeted a security patrol, killing 11 municipal police officers. The motive for the massacre is under investigation. In a neighboring state, Michoacan, a group of gunmen attacked the brother of a mayor, resulting in five deaths and two injuries. Mexico faces persistent violence tied to drug cartels, with over 420,000 deaths since the government’s drug war began in 2006. Guerrero and Michoacan, though known for tourist spots like Acapulco, are hotspots for cartel-related conflicts. The surge in violence is of particular concern ahead of next year’s elections. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has advocated for a social-based approach to combat crime.