Two federal police officers killed in armed attack while investigating kidnapping in Veracruz

Two federal police officers were killed in an armed attack in Veracruz while investigating a kidnapping, but the operation continued and ended with the rescue of two victims, according to Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch.

The attack took place on Friday in Paso Amapa, in the municipality of Omealca, near Veracruz’s border with Oaxaca. A third officer suffered injuries and remains hospitalized. A fourth officer became separated during the confrontation but was later found in good health, the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection said.

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We recognize their bravery and commitment to protecting citizens.

García Harfuch attributed the assault to organized crime and said the authorities had launched an operation to find and arrest those responsible. “We recognize their bravery and commitment to protecting citizens,” he wrote on X. “This crime will not go unpunished. Those responsible will be brought to justice.”

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This crime will not go unpunished. Those responsible will be brought to justice.

The Army, Navy, National Guard and security authorities from Veracruz and Oaxaca provided immediate support. Authorities located two vehicles connected to the attack and found evidence inside linked to a criminal cell involved in kidnapping and extortion in the area. The operation aimed to identify and dismantle such cells, although officials did not say which cartel was the target.

The security cabinet, coordinated by García Harfuch, later located and freed two kidnapped people. “Thanks to the coordination between the authorities, both people were released and are safe and sound,” he said. A 2025 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration report identified four cartels as operating criminal networks in Veracruz: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Northeast Cartel and the Gulf Cartel.

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Thanks to the coordination between the authorities, both people were released and are safe and sound.