Cristaleros cartel: another infamous criminal group adds to climate of violence in Michoacán

The people of Zitácuaro, Michoacan (central-western Mexico) are living on high alert in the face of the emergence of a new criminal group that intends not only to smuggle drugs, but also to control the region: the Cartel de los Cristaleros.

The hired killers of this criminal cell, spread throughout the commune located in the eastern region of the entity, control a whole catalog of criminal activities. According to local media, it is a group of operators of the Michoacan family, established in the region.

If the savagery of this cartel is not new, in the middle of last year, violence intensified in the region with the appearance of dismembered or beheaded bodies. During the period August to December 2020, at least three public transport operators, taxi and van drivers, were killed. In addition to the deaths left by clashes between criminals.

Last December, the inhabitants dedicated to the production of avocado and guava set up surveillance points on the road to the town of Carpinteros, the second at the entrance to La Soledad.

According to the complaints against this clan, the criminals keep the producers under control and some have even been deprived of their gardens, houses and vehicles.

In mid-January, local press reported that an armed incursion by a criminal group had left a balance of 13 dead; however, the government, after two days, recognized only 10 victims.

In their exhaustion, residents demanded recognition of their own police, budgetary autonomy and not to be investigated for acts of violence in which they were involved when they occurred in their homes. communities.

Recently and before the ceaseless violence of which community members are victims by criminal groups , the inaction of the armed forces, the indigenous communities of San Francisco Serrato, Donaciano Ojeda, Crecensio Morales and Carpinteros in Zitacuaro warned city officials that they have formed a Indigenous police guard clean, ruled out that they are self-defense groups and that they belong to a criminal group, as they pointed out to other inhabitants of neighboring communities.

“These criminals subjugated indigenous avocado growers, others were deprived of their orchards, homes and vehicles. (…) We are tired (the authorities) of not doing their job. Far from protecting us, they have carried out actions that are harmful to us ”, underline the inhabitants through a complaint.

VIDEO: traces of violence in Michoacán

The Michoacan family he attacks with guerilla tactics, taking advantage of the hilly territory of Michoacán. Over ten years ago in the state, this cartel established a kind of alternative government; it creates jobs, “maintains order”, collects taxes (extortion of residents “and watches over new arrivals.

The Jalisco Next Generation Cartel (CJNG) He fights against members of the Michoacan organization in his quest to control more territories. Currently, the Michoacan family maintains an alliance of appeasement with other local criminal groups such as Viagras Yes Knights Templar, in order to recover the lost towns.

MORE ON OTHER TOPICS:

Eight hanged and the unusual sighting of the “Mencho” in a white suburb: testimonies of the assault on Aguililla