According to local media in Guerrero, residents of the municipality of Taxco reported that cells of alleged members of the La Familia Michoacana criminal organization have set up checkpoints in the municipal seat, reportedly in an attempt to seize control of the area from members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has a presence in southern Morelos state.
Amid this conflict, which is brewing in the municipality due to a possible power struggle, members of criminal groups have used social media to issue mutual threats, warning of “days of torment” and “a living hell” in Taxco, and urging residents to stay indoors at night.
It is worth noting that last Wednesday, Taxco hosted a session of the Regional Peacebuilding Roundtable, which was attended by civilian and military commanders from the Army and the National Guard, as well as representatives from the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE).
Local media and residents of the municipality of Taxco reported sightings of armed civilians in various areas of the municipal seat since last Sunday, primarily on access roads to and from Cuernavaca. These sightings have intensified.
The most recent incident was reported around midnight last Tuesday, when a group of armed civilians, allegedly members of La Familia Michoacana, set up a checkpoint on motorcycles in front of the Martelas neighborhood, on the Mexico-Acapulco federal highway, in the northern part of the municipal seat and at the exit to Cuernavaca.
An image circulating on social media shows three men wearing tactical boots, jeans, caps, and black clothing, next to running motorcycles. These men are presumed to be members of La Familia Michoacana.
The complaint was allegedly filed by motorists, who reported that armed civilians are stopping cars, interrogating drivers to find out where they are going, and searching the vehicles. It is also reported that taxi drivers are once again being forced to act as informants or lookouts, reporting the presence of state or federal police patrols.
In Taxco and neighboring municipalities such as Tetipac and Pilcaya, where La Familia Michoacana has held sway for the past decade, an internal power struggle is brewing, now compounded by the alleged interest of a CJNG cell operating in southern Morelos state in gaining control of the area.
Last Tuesday, a message written on a banner and signed by the CJNG cartel circulated on social media, calling on the people of Taxco to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, as they would be searching for those responsible for kidnapping people in Yatengo (Huiyatengo), Atache, El Mirador, Landa, and Adobes.
The message warned residents to be wary of the Municipal Police, as they are allegedly the ones abducting people and handing them over to Roberto Carlos Zagal Maldonado, alias “El Pelón,” a former plaza boss for La Familia Michoacana, who, according to the message, is trying to regain control he lost during the administration of businessman Mario Figueroa Mundo.
The same message urged business owners to stop paying extortion fees and to report any suspicious individuals on motorcycles or in vehicles. “We already know who your lookouts and drug dealers are. We will spare children and women. Taxco will be a living hell,” the message warned.
In the same publications, an alleged leader of the Familia Michoacana warned of “days of torment” in Taxco, followed by calm.
Source: infobae
