Mexican forces kill 10 drug cartel suspects

Mexican forces have killed at least 10 Zetas drug cartel suspects in an exchange of fire in the country’s eastern region.

On Thursday, Mexican soldiers and police forces reportedly killed the suspects in the eastern state of Veracruz.

Authorities say a Veracruz public security agency official was also wounded in the gunfight.

The fighting broke out after security forces came under attack from a house as they were driving in an area in the city of Perote.

“As a result of this clash, nine men and one woman were killed,” the Veracruz agency said in a statement.

Authorities also seized 10 rifles, munitions, and clothes belonging to police forces.

Mexican police officials said the suspects were part of a Zetas unit that was responsible for carrying out abductions.

Last year, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto admitted that organized criminal gangs had gained the upper hand in several parts of the country, including the states of Michoacan, Mexico, and Guerrero, despite increased military troops in the areas.

Data released by the government show that every month since Nieto took office in December 2012, an additional 1,000 people die in violence linked to drug cartels and the Mexican army is still fighting gangs across large parts of the country.