ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - August 29, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - August 29, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Drone Attacks and Burning Cars Reported in Clashes Between Cartel Elements and Security Forces in Michoacán, Mexico
• Brazilian Supreme Court Orders Lula de Silva's Government to Deploy Military Against Fires in Amazon and Pantanal
• China Blocks Another Philippine Resupply Mission in South China Sea

Drone Attacks and Burning Cars Reported in Clashes Between Cartel Elements and Security Forces in Michoacán, Mexico

On August 28, there were multiple instances of violence from armed elements allegedly affiliated with Los Viagra Cartel. Police headquarters in the municipality of Buenavista were attacked with explosive devices at least three times, and burning cars were reported in the area of the Santa Ana Amatlán on the highway towards Zimanca. As well, there are reports of hooded men forcing drivers out of their cars in the area Apatzingán and using the cars to block the roads. Mexican federal police and military forces are reportedly deployed in the area to reinforce local security forces.

Brazilian Supreme Court Orders Lula de Silva's Government to Deploy Military Against Fires in Amazon and Pantanal

On August 28, the Brazilian supreme court gave Brazilian president Lula de Silva's government 15 days to mobilize a contingent of military and police forces to combat the ongoing wildfires in the Amazon rainforest and Pantanal wetlands. Both the Amazan and Pantanal have experienced a record high number of wildfires throughout the month of August, 2024, exacerbated by widespread drought. The states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais have been particularly affected, with hundreds of wildfires documented in the two states.

China Blocks Another Philippine Resupply Mission in South China Sea

On August 26, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels blocked Philippine patrol ships during a resupply mission in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. Six Chinese coast guard vessels approached and encircled the two Philippine patrol boats headed for the Sabina Shoal, a contested island controlled by the Philippines. The incident occurred one day after Chinese vessels rammed a Philippine fishing boat traveling to the shoal and fired water cannons and damaged its engine. China and the Philippines’ tension in the South China Sea remains high. Earlier this month, China protested the deployment of the Teresa Magbanua ship near the Sabina Shoal and demanded that the Philippines withdraw the vessel at once. The U.S. and its allies back the Philippines in the dispute, and there are similar disputes across the region where China claims control of key water trade lanes also claimed by South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Malaysia.