Nineteen bodies were discovered by Mexican police on Wednesday in the western city of Uruapan.

Nine of the corpses were hanging from an overpass, while seven were hacked up and dumped at the roadside, with a further three found nearby.

Territorial conflict

Rival drug gangs in a so-called "turf war" have been held responsible.

Adrian Lopez, chief prosecutor for the state of Michoacan, said the groups were looking to seize command of the area. "There is a turf war between the (local) cells of different criminal groups. They are fighting for territorial control over the production, distribution and consumption of drugs," Lopez said. "Unfortunately, this conflict results in these kinds of acts that justifiably alarm the public."

Two of those that were hung from the bridge were half naked women. One of the dismembered bodies was also female.

There was a banner alongside the bodies hanging from the overpass which bore the initials of the notoriously violent Jalisco drug cartel, and cited the Viagras, a rival gang. "Be a patriot, kill a Viagra," the plastic sheet read. This intimidation tactic is frequently used as part of the drug conflicts in the region.

No end in sight

Despite spending billions of dollars against the cartels, Mexico has yet to get the violence under control. Thousands of police officers, soldiers, gang members and civilians have lost their lives since former President Felipe Calderón declared war on drug smugglers shortly after his election in 2006.

In December 2016 authorities found six severed heads in Michoacan and a threatening message signed by the New Michoacan Family cartel. The heads were discovered near the borders with Jalisco state, where Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) operates.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has vowed to reduce the bloodshed using a strategy based around a newly launched National Guard, which is assuming the job of fighting drug cartels from the military and federal police.

Despite this, homicides are set to reach a new high, with 17,138 recorded in the first half of 2019.

jsi/msh (AFP, AP)

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