By The newspaper
Dec 28, 2023, 16:30 PM EST
In apparent retaliation for a farmers uprising in Texcaltitlán, Mexico, that resulted in the deaths of 10 cartel gunmen, the Familia Michoacana kidnapped 14 local residents, including four children. Farmers, tired of extortion, clashed with suspected gang members on December 8, resulting in the death of four villagers.
Despite the violence, prosecutors have classified the situation as “self-defense,” exempting the farmers from possible charges, the Associated Press reported.
However, retaliation was immediate, and the cartel kidnapped 14 people, including four children between the ages of 15 and 14.
José Luis Cervantes, chief prosecutor of the State of Mexico, has confirmed that no ransom demand has been received so far.
Despite the initial denial by state authorities about the kidnapping, residents of the town and nearby villages affirm that the Familia Michoacana is demanding the surrender of the leaders of the uprising as a condition for releasing the kidnapped people, AP detailed.
Headache for families
This incident reveals once again the difficult situation that Mexican communities face in the face of constant pressure from drug cartels.
The Familia Michoacana, known for ambushes on police and the 2022 massacre in Totolapan, Guerrero, has imposed its dominant presence in the region, demanding extortion fees from local farmers and unleashing violence in response to the resistance.
Video of the confrontation, according to the AP, shows gunmen in military-style uniforms, some with helmets, underscoring the highly organized and dangerous nature of Mexican cartels.
The town of Texcaltitlán, located about 130 kilometers southwest of Mexico City, is mired in uncertainty as the community waits for the outcome of this violent situation.
This incident also highlights the extent of extortion by the cartels, which do not hesitate to attack or burn properties of those who refuse to pay.
The persistent drug trafficking violence in the region continues to be a challenge for authorities, who seek to manage a complex and delicate situation amid the constant struggle for territorial control between drug cartels in Mexico.
With information from the Associated Press.
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