The war against crime in Michoacán and Jalisco has caused an internal rift within the armed forces.
After traveling thousands of kilometers from the 38th Infantry Battalion in Ocosingo, Chiapas, at least 13 soldiers decided that their lives were worth more than their salaries and deserted upon reaching their destination.
The operation, which began with farewell phone calls to their families and messages of uncertainty, ended in a massive and silent resignation.
Both new recruits and veterans agree on a harsh reality: the current salary does not compensate for the risk of being shot in the most dangerous areas of the country.
“Behind every soldier is a family,” is what justifies their decision to lay down their rifles for a job that guarantees their return home.
So far, official silence prevails regarding these desertions, but the message is clear: the emotional and economic strain is overcoming the fighting spirit.
Source: lcdania
