Residents of the indigenous community of Pomar, in the municipality of Aquila, Michoacán, set fire to a pickup truck and a passenger bus, and blocked the Lázaro Cárdenas-Manzanillo coastal highway 200 near Maruata, demanding justice for the murder of two of their leaders and a teacher; a teacher was also seriously injured in the attack.
The protesters also evacuated all the workers from the Maruata Regional Hospital and warned that they would further escalate their protests.
These actions were joined by residents of various indigenous communities throughout Michoacán, who blocked other roads and highways.
One of the points where they blocked traffic was on the Siglo 21 highway, near the Zirahuén tollbooth.
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Indigenous communities from other regions of the state also threatened to block roads if those responsible for the crime perpetrated by a heavily armed group yesterday afternoon in the municipality of Aquila are not apprehended.
As a result of an armed attack carried out Thursday afternoon in an indigenous community in the municipality of Aquila, three residents were shot and killed, and one other person was injured.
Reports indicate that the victims were traveling in a pickup truck from Pomaro to El Duin on Highway 200 Lázaro Cárdenas-Manzanillo when they were attacked by gunfire from the criminal group.
The deceased were identified as Lucas Flores Tolentino and Jerónimo García Flores, treasurer and legal liaison of the indigenous community of Pomaro, respectively.
A teacher was also killed at the scene, and another teacher was seriously injured. Both were from the Purépecha Plateau and had only arrived in the region two days prior to begin teaching.
The mayor, José María Valencia Guillén, reported that the attack took place in the town of Pomaro and requested urgent support from state and federal forces.
“On behalf of the Aquila, Michoacán City Council, which I represent as mayor, I strongly condemn the armed attack perpetrated against the indigenous community of Pomaro. This attack has claimed innocent lives, and these acts are unacceptable as part of the cowardly violence that occurred this afternoon, events that have plunged our municipality and state into mourning,” the mayor said in a statement.
Valencia Guillén reiterated his request to state and federal authorities: “Conduct a swift, immediate, transparent, thorough, and culturally sensitive investigation to identify those responsible, both intellectually and materially, for this cowardly attack. Enough of impunity! We cannot allow violence to target municipal security mechanisms or the civilian population.”
José María Valencia maintained that these lives lost represent a deep wound for the entire municipality.
“In light of these grave events, I want to express our absolute and total support for the indigenous community of Pomaro and our entire municipality. I want to make it clear that you are not alone, and we will cooperate fully with the corresponding investigations,” he emphasized.
Local authorities have not yet revealed which criminal group is responsible for this attack, which occurred in the mountainous region of Pomaro, located 399 kilometers from the capital of Michoacán.
This municipality, nestled in the Sierra-Costa region of Michoacán, has been the target of constant attacks by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which is attempting to seize control of the territory.
Just yesterday, this criminal organization carried out two armed attacks using explosives in the town of La Cofradía, part of the indigenous community of Ostula. No information has been released regarding the casualties or the extent of the damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles.
Source: eluniversal
