Bug Hunts
The Bug Hunts were a series of ground and aerial skirmishes waged throughout the Baja California peninsula in Mexico , where the Mexican Armed Forces engaged the kaiju Squitoro and her brood for control of the wildlife refuge. These battles took place from May 7th to May 16, 2020, and marked the fifth major occurrence of the Invasive Species Skirmishes.
The Conflict
Prelude
The giant kaiju was found fossilized in hibernation in a massive mining operation within the vicinity of the city of Mulegé after the mining corporation lobbied to tear down sections of the nearby jungle and drain some of the oases. They ended up freeing the mosquito and unleashing her to wreak havoc within the region of Mexico. The kaiju began to establish a large mound out in the jungle, and the nearby city became a target for its brood as they began to establish their colony. Though a large chunk of the city was hit, the majority of residents were able to make it out in time before being abducted.
Deployment
Military forces were routed to defend the civilian population as it evacuated alongside local police and the militia. Eventually, the insectoid horde retreated back to the jungle after retrieving enough supplies in order to burrow underground and begin formatting the land by rerouting water. The army and air force began launching raids on the large mound, which only provoked the insects into a frenzy. Escalation of firepower and force was retaliated with greater swarms as the horde repopulated itself.
Battlefield
Various outposts and fortifications were erected throughout the southeastern section of the Mulegé Municipality in order to establish a foothold, but Mexican forces were always kept at bay. Each attempt to push further in resulted in the swarm being frenzied further, and progress crawled to a standstill.
Outcome
Military forces were ultimately forced to withdraw after a lack of progress, with observation of the insect horde being done from afar to avoid provoking them further.
Aftermath
The southeastern portion of the Mulegé Municipality was entirely evacuated, with many civilians attempting to head north into the United States to escape into California. U.S. military forces had heavily fortified the border for protection in the event the insects attempted to move forward. Naval stations were established along the coast of Sonora for protection and prevention.
Historical Significance
Legacy
May 7th is officially known as K-Day (Kaiju Day) in Mexico and is a national holiday.
Much of the central Baja California peninsula had been evacuated, with populations either heading to the far north and south ends or heading across the Gulf of California to the mainland.
On May 8th, a military operation known as Operation Deep Impact was drafted to authorize the United States to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to the Mulegé Municipality in a desperate attempt to kill the kaiju. Reception to the plan was mixed and only received 45% joint approval before being ultimately scrapped, as the potential environmental hazards, destruction, loss of civilian life, and uncertainty of success led to the plan falling through. It was also greatly feared that it would start a nuclear panic and result in various nuclear weapons being launched across the planet and destabilizing the environment and atmosphere.
The mass amount of kaiju attacks in Mexico gave the United States the push to greenlight long-term development on the Mexico–United States border wall for protection, with military fortifications including tanks and gun turrets. Despite prominent pushback in the media, the Mexican government reluctantly agreed in the hopes that construction would result in increased job opportunities.
Conflict Type
Skirmish
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
May 7, 2020
Ending Date
May 16, 2020
Conflict Result
Stalemate
Belligerents
Mexican Armed Forces
Strength
Casualties
- Major
Objectives
- Eliminate the insect hive
- Secure the Baja California peninsula
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