Guanajuato faces surge in cargo theft and violent attacks

Guanajuato is facing significant security challenges regarding both cargo theft and violent crime. An analysis by risk intelligence firm Overhaul reveals that Guanajuato accounted for 31% of cargo thefts in the Bajío region during the first seven months of 2026. The Bajío region as a whole saw a rise in theft, representing 31% of Mexico's total cargo robberies, up from 25% in the same period in 2025. Key high-risk routes include the MEX-45D highway, which saw 13% of incidents, followed by MEX-15D and MEX-57/D. The most targeted goods are food and beverages (30.4%) and automotive parts (16%).

Simultaneously, the state has experienced a surge in violent attacks. On a single Thursday in September, multiple shootings across various municipalities resulted in several deaths and injuries. In Silao, an attack in the Los Ángeles neighborhood reportedly left a couple dead and two others seriously injured, including a minor. Other violent incidents were reported in Dolores Hidalgo, where a man was shot, and in Pénjamo, where three separate attacks resulted in one death and three injuries, including two minors.