Bloody clash in Mexican hamlet kills 4 villagers and 10 gunmen, including drug cartel’s leader

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican authorities say a clash between gunmen from a notoriously violent drug cartel and residents of a small farming community in central Mexico left 14 people dead, including the cartel’s leader. Police in the State of Mexico, which abuts Mexico City, say the bloodshed occurred Friday in the hamlet of Texcaltitlan about 80 miles southwest of the capital. Officials said Saturday that 10 of the dead were members of the violent Familia Michoacana drug cartel, including its leader, Rigoberto de la Sancha Santillán, known as “El Payaso” or “The Clown.” Four others killed were village residents. The cartel has been dominant in the area for many years. Local media say Familia Michoacana gunmen had showed up in the village earlier demanding extortion money.