The incident unfolded on a highway near Hermosillo, the capital of the northern Mexican state of Sonora.

Officials say the armed group, equipped with assault weapons, was trying to free Carlos Humberto Limon, the son of Jesus Humberto Limon, a suspected hitman associated with a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by the sons of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

Carlos Humberto was reportedly detained moments earlier for "crimes against health" before the attempted rescue.

The shootout adds to the ongoing struggles Mexican authorities face in their fight against powerful drug cartels. It comes as the government prepares for a long-delayed court hearing on February 22, where gunmakers will be held accountable in a U.S. court for arms trafficked to criminal organizations across the border.

Drug cartels have been a major source of violence and instability in Mexico for years. They are responsible for tens of thousands of homicides annually and contribute to rampant corruption throughout the country.

The thwarted rescue attempt in Sonora serves as a stark reminder of the power and reach of these criminal organizations, and the ongoing challenges Mexican authorities face in curbing their activities. (ILKHA)