Young man aged 22 brutally murdered at an unofficial roadblock on the Zitácuaro-Aputzio route in Michoacán
In the early hours of June 23, 2025, a harrowing incident unfolded on the Zitácuaro-Aputzio highway near Silva de Arriba, Michoacán, Mexico. A group of gunmen, believed to be affiliated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), set up an improvised checkpoint.
A black Ford F-150 pickup truck, with license plates from the neighbouring State of Mexico, was approaching the checkpoint when the driver, the father of 22-year-old Mexican-American woman named Isabel Ashanti, attempted to evade it out of fear. The cartel gunmen opened fire, resulting in a tragic turn of events. Ashanti was instantly killed, while her father and a friend who was with her were seriously wounded.
The CJNG has been engaged in a territorial dispute over the border area with the State of Mexico, particularly near the Donato Guerra detour. However, the regional lieutenant responsible for the ambush on the Zitácuaro-Aputzio highway has not been identified in the available information.
As the investigation continues, the Michoacán Prosecutor's Office is expected to complete the investigation and coordinate with federal forces to locate those responsible and bring them to justice for the murder of Isabel Ashanti. Meanwhile, the highway remains a dangerous area, with a warning issued for 17 road points in Jalisco, stating they are currently unsafe.
In a stark contrast to the violence, a Cobach Sonora student has been recognized for her extraordinary intellect. Adhara Maite Pérez Sánchez, a resident of Veracruz, boasts an IQ of 162, making her a promising representative for Mexico at the Ibero-American Physics Olympiad.
This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing violence in Mexico, while also highlighting the resilience and potential of its people. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Isabel Ashanti during this difficult time.
[1] Source: Local news reports [3] Source: Witness accounts
- The ongoing violence in Mexico, such as the recent incident on the Zitácuaro-Aputzio highway involving the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG), is frequently a subject in general news and politics discussions, as well as war-and-conflicts reports.
- Meanwhile, crime-and-justice news in Mexico also spotlights exceptional individuals like Adhara Maite Pérez Sánchez, a student from Veracruz, who showcases her immense intellect by securing a place at the Ibero-American Physics Olympiad.
