Autodefensas Surround Templarios Leader La Tuta

Chivís Martínez for Borderland Beat

 Above: Dr. Mireles speaks to the Tumbiscatío crowd after autodefensas took control of the city from Templarios.  In the inset, Templarios leader "La Tuta", who recently, at the same pavilion, was mingling, giving money away, and having his hand kissed by a child

 

Led by Dr. Manuel Mireles who directed the operations, autodefensas took control of Tumbiscatío [photo above], and Arteaga.  Infiernillo and Las Cañas were also secured in the autodefensa operation.

This is the “land of Tuta”, Servando "La Tuta" Gomez,  the leader of Caballeros Templarios is from Arteaga.  There is a new urgency in the autodefensa operation to surround and capture Tuta.  With the May 10^th deadline for disarmament approaching, and the confusion of what will transpire, there is a boundless resolve by the autodefensas to isolate and capture the leader.   

In the event that Tuta would be captured or killed, [my bet is he will be captured rather than killed] the  heir to the cartel would be the first cousin of the slain Templarios leader "El Chayo", known as "El Gallito".  I am developing a post on Gallito, who is said to have betrayed his late cousin.

                                                         [Click to enlarge any image]

Tuta supporters attempting to block autodefensas entry in Arteaga

Yesterday, Osorio Chong, vowed to adhere to the agreement previously signed with the autodefensas.  Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, Secretary of Government Relations [SEGOB], denied that he has given an ultimatum to Michoacán's self-defense groups to surrender their weapons.

Osorio Chong said:

"This government is about agreements. This is a government that approached the people, who are close to the [autodefensas] groups."

At a press conference in the Senate building, Osorio Chong pointed out the results that the society and government have achieved together in the intervening two and a half months since a coordination agreement was reached with the government of Michoacán Governor Fausto Vallejo.

The federal official was confident that the agreement signed with the self-defense groups will be respected, and “if something might not have been considered” he said, the government of the Republic will attend to it.

Conversely, Dr. Mireles says the autodefensas federation will not disarm and will adhere to the 8 point agreement contractually signed and agreed to by the autodefensas and the government on January 13^th.  The agreement was signed while Dr Mireles was recovering from his injuries sustained in the January plane crash.

He reiterated and confirmed to Borderland Beat today;

       
     We will not disarm until the main points of the agreement are met.

2      A total cleaning of criminals in Michoacán. (destruction of cartel operation in Michoacán)

       The restoration of rule of law (efficient security and a fair justice)

4     Freedom for the autodefenzas prisoners (imprisoned for defending the lives of themselves and their families) 

Tuta Territory

After first entering Tumbiscatío, and subsequent to installing the autodefensa council there, they then moved to Arteaga.  With the newly acquired communities and cities, and the previously acquired cities,  autodefensas have surrounded the territory in which La Tuta resides.

In Arteaga, they met resistance by a group of Arteaga residents, loyal to La Tuta, who formed a human blockade, but eventually, autodefensas were able to  move forward and take control of  the city. 

Readers may remember the video of La Tuta in the town plaza walking freely, giving money to residents, this is Tuta’s home, where he is most comfortable and secure, where he enjoys celebrity status.  In the first photo above,  a young child shown from the video, who rushed Tuta and kissed his hand in adoration.

Below is a video depicting Templario caves used for a hideout, this was taken just after autodefensas took control of Arteaga.  They are utilized for staging drugs, weapons, and  as a sanctuary to stay out of sight.  The autodefensas found many signs the caves were being occupied, and fresh shoe prints leading away.  At the ranch, Tuta's uncle raises cocks for fighting. 

Arteaga is the birthplace of Tuta and where he taught school.  In the video there is a man hidden in the shadows, who did not give his name.an entrepreneur  by profession .  He is  an autodefensa, he "took up arms" because, like the overwhelming majority of Michoacán residents, he has his tale of grief and horror.

He says that his two brothers were executed on orders of the Templarios chief because they refused to keep paying extortions.
 
"When he was a teacher La Tuta taught both of my brothers, but he killed them three months ago," he said. 

The hunt for Tuta stepped into high gear yesterday.  34 autodefensa trucks filled with AD members, accompanied by 10 federal trucks with federal forces, began the search in and around Arteaga.  They found three homes belonging to Tuta and his parents on the ranch his uncle raises the cocks.

Autodefensas searched outdoors and stood on guard as federal forces searched the interior of the homes. At the same time another group searched the cave, it was autodefensas who braved the dark cave, knowing it was possible Templarios were waiting with weapons.  The caves of the Sierra's extend for miles, some having deep rivers running through.  Perfect for hiding but not compromising the ability to retain mobility. 

Both places of interest came up short, but clear evidence was found indicating, Tuta and his men were on the run, and not too far ahead. It seems inconceivable that he will not be captured.  One wonders why he didn't stay in a neighboring state. 

“pseudo-autodefensas”

How long the autodefensas can maintain control of these cities remains in question.

Alfredo Castillo, federal safety commissioner of Michoacán, insinuated in a press conference that Arteaga and Tumbiscatío may have “criminals” that need to be located, “as in Huetamo last Monday”.

Last Monday an autodefensa was killed, while standing guard at a road block, in the newly controlled Huetamo.

Autodefensa leader “Papa Smurf” says; Then dozens of armed autodefensas were mobilized in order to apprehend the alleged murderer, whom they identified as “El Vicki”.

Federal forces arrived and a shootout ensued, lasting for an hour.  The end result was 44 “false autodefensas” were arrested.  Even more interesting is who the arrested are, they have been identified as being CJNG (Cartel Jalisco New Generation. Apparently, following behind autodefensas in an attempt to pick up the plaza, now that autodefensas cleaned the plaza of cartel presence.  The detainees were originally from; Jalisco, Guanajuato and Tamaulipas.

Below is a video with footage of the Huetamo incident.  In the video are autodefensas detaining a group of men, some of the captives are lying on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds that appear very serious. One or two maybe dead. [photo above and to the left]

Towards the end of the video, there is a conversation between people in a red vehicle parked on the side of the street.  One is an autodefensa and he says in the conversation “we need to wait for Papa Smurf”.  Smurf did say the person killed at his guard post was his friend.

There are no police or federal forces in the video and the government did not report any deaths or injuries

Thank you to Sr. Joe for finding and sharing the Artega video!