A brazen attack on worker transports in southern Sonora terrified its victims, and unnerved export manufacturers.

Earlier this week, gunmen stopped two buses near Empalme, and forced all of the occupants to get out before setting both vehicles on fire, according to state security officials. There were no injuries, though a driver was reported missing.

One of the buses belonged to Tetakawi, a major shelter company for export manufacturers. It’s represented by Index Sonora, led by Gerardo Vazquez.

“There is no governability in some parts of the state,” Vazquez said. “There is no rule of law, there is no guarantee of security for citizens.”

Among cities with at least 50,000 residents, Empalme was the fifth most violent in Mexico in 2020, with roughly 142 murder cases for every 100,000 residents, according to federal crime data analyzed by KJZZ. Another Sonoran city, Caborca, was the fourth most violent.

Sonora was the sixth most violent of Mexico’s 32 states in 2020, with roughly 54 murder victims for every 100,000 residents.