Alongside established drug trafficking, a significant issue in the region involves the fuel theft trade known as "huachicoleo," which has proven lucrative for criminal organizations. The violence follows a broader landscape of conflict, with federal authorities remaining silent on the incident, which coincides with President Claudia Sheinbaum's ongoing crackdown on fentanyl trafficking. Historically, Puebla and Tlaxcala have been spared the intense violence seen in other Mexican states; however, recent events signify an alarming potential shift. The country has witnessed a surge in cartel violence since 2006, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and numerous disappearances amid government-led military interventions.