I am not certain, but I believe this new story from the AP is a rare follow-up to this initial report of a shootout that took place on June 30.  The original story says it happened in Michoacan while the new story is in a small town in Estado de Mexico.  There are corresponding details–the “gang” consisted of 21 men and one woman–that lead me to believe this is the same incident.

In all of my efforts (and those of many others) to track the death toll in Mexico during the past 7 years, it is very rare that any information is released on the numbers of military deaths.  Years ago, there was one odd report of a death toll of about 200 soldiers–this in contrast to a civilian death toll at the time of nearly 100,000. I could be wrong, but I do not think there is ever any official reporting on deaths in the Mexican military. And as this AP story notes, there are many incidents reported in which the army encounters what are reported to be “gangs of criminals” and kills them all–no witnesses and few or no military casualties noted…

The shootout was the most dramatic in a string of battles in which the army says criminals fired first at soldiers who then killed them all, while suffering few or no losses. There have been so many such incidents that human rights groups and analysts have begun to doubt the military’s version.

From the details described below and the fact that the United Nations’ High Commission on Human Rights was on the scene shortly after this massacre, it appears that the people killed inside the building were shot at close range. It is gratifying to see the AP reporting on this… Thanks to Margie Lilly for sending me the article. I would have missed it… -molly

In Mexico, lopsided death tolls draw suspicion (Miami Herald)

Mexico’s Government Doesn’t Want to Talk About a Shootout That Left 22 Dead (VICE)

Mexico Army Kills 22 in Campaign Against Warring Splinter Groups (InSight Crime)

An eyewitness testifies to the killing of 22 people by the Mexican Army in Tlatlaya…  The earlier stories are here for background.  The new revelations are reported by ESQUIRE MEXICO.  Also below, a shorter version in English reported by AFP.

Exclusiva: Testigo revela ejecuciones en el Estado de México (Esquire Latinoamerica)

Mexican troops executed 21 drug suspects in June, purported witness tells Esquire (The Japan Times)

At least 22 killed in gunfight southwest of Mexico City (Toronto Sun)