Michoacán Community Self-defense Groups Must Disarm Or Face Arrest By Feds

A deadly confrontation between two rival self-defense groups in Michoacán has led to a federal mandate of disarmament. 

By H. Nelson Goodson 

December 24, 2014

Mexico - Michoacán self-defense groups must disarmed and anyone resisting will be arrested, Alfredo Castillo, Commissioner of Security has confirmed. Hipólito Mora and Luis Antonio Torres leaders of rival Michoacán community self-defense groups have one week to surrender to the Mexican feds in connection with a deadly battle between the two groups.

Mora has accused Castillo of supporting the Torres group that has connections with a criminal organization Caballeros Templarios and members of his group are composed of corrupt cops. Torres is known as "El Americano" and believed to be collaborating with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto's narco-goverment administration.

A recent recording of radio transmissions between Torres and his men during a gun battle with Mora indicated that the intended target was the Mexican military, but Mora was caught in the middle of the battle. Mora lost his son, Manuel, 32,  and 4 of his men. Torres lost 6 men as well.

The gun battle in mid December involved more than 56 combatants, according to Castillo.

The mandate to disarm comes after the groups have failed to follow certain laws, agreements with the feds to disarm and leave the area. The military and Federal Police have taken control and security in Apatzingán, La Mira and La Rauna, Castillo confirmed.