A 31-year-old man was arrested by Mexican authorities on Sunday after allegedly attempting to hijack a domestic flight and redirect it to the United States.
The incident occurred aboard a Volaris Airbus A320 traveling from León, Guanajuato, to Tijuana.
Approximately 45 minutes into the flight, the aircraft made an emergency landing at Guadalajara International Airport after the suspect assaulted a flight attendant and tried to breach the cockpit.
According to the Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection, the man demanded the flight be diverted to the U.S., claiming his actions were driven by threats to a close relative who he alleged had been kidnapped and faced imminent harm if he continued to Tijuana.
The crew managed to subdue the suspect, who was reportedly traveling with family members, and alerted authorities to facilitate an emergency landing. The man was detained immediately upon landing, allowing the flight to resume its journey to Tijuana after the situation was resolved. The number of passengers aboard the flight was not disclosed.
The incident highlights the security challenges facing Mexico, particularly in Guanajuato, a state grappling with rising drug cartel violence, including extortion and kidnapping. This alarming event serves as a stark reminder of the volatility in the region and the need for heightened vigilance in addressing such threats.
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