Mexican arrests spur vehicle, store arson

MEXICO CITY — Authorities made a series of arrests of drug cartel figures in western Mexico that set off destruction of vehicles and businesses in two states in apparent reaction.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador did not identify those arrested Tuesday in Jalisco state, but said soldiers had confronted criminals, including “bosses,” at a “meeting of two gangs.” There was a shootout, arrests and then “this provoked protests of burned vehicles, not only in Jalisco, but also in Guanajuato,” he said.

Images circulated on social media showed men commandeering cars and buses and setting them on fire in the middle of roadways. Others showed burned out convenience stores.

Cartels often create such chaos in an effort to keep authorities from transporting cartel bosses.

Lopez Obrador said authorities were still deployed in the areas Wednesday, looking to make more arrests.