A key bridge in Jalisco, Mexico, remains closed to vehicular traffic after an attempted bombing by suspected members of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) last Sunday. The Desembocada bridge, located on state highway 544 in the Ixtapa delegation, spans the Mascota River and provides a vital link between rural communities in the Mascota region and the tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta.
According to local residents, explosions and gunfire erupted around 10:00 a.m. As vehicles attempted to cross the bridge. Witnesses reported a subsequent clash between armed individuals and the Mexican Army. “We heard a very strong explosion and then gunshots. People started screaming and looking for a place to take shelter,” said one driver who was waiting to cross, as reported by El Universal.
Although the explosives caused damage, the bridge did not collapse. However, authorities have suspended vehicle traffic due to visible cracks, scorched areas and structural weakening. The municipal president, in an interview with El Universal, confirmed the use of explosive devices and stated the structure will remain closed while engineers assess whether demolition and reconstruction are necessary. Alternative routes are currently under evaluation.
Currently, pedestrian access is the only option. Residents from the mountainous regions are disembarking from public transportation before the bridge, walking the more than 100 meters across the damaged structure, and then boarding other vehicles on the opposite side to continue their journeys. “We have to walk across every day to get to work. The bridge feels unstable, but there is no other option,” stated a local tourism sector employee.
Federal security forces are present in the area, and helicopter patrols have been observed as part of the security operation launched following the incident. The bridge closure is also disrupting the delivery of essential supplies, services, and medical care to the communities in the mountainous regions, as well as hindering logistical operations for security forces.
Recent reports from U.S. Treasury officials, as noted by Puerto Vallarta News, indicate executions have taken place at a CJNG camp in Jalisco, adding to the volatile security situation in the region.
As technical evaluations continue, the Desembocada bridge remains open only to pedestrians, serving as a critical, yet precarious, connection between the Jalisco highlands and the coast.