Castillo gets rid of the Apatzingan rural police

El Diario.mx (December 23, 2014) Source: Reforma. Translated by un vato for Borderland Beat

Self defense forces occupy Apatzingan government building

APATZINGAN.- Only a few months after starting operations, the Rural Police (Fuerza Rural) today ceased performing public safety functions in Apatzingan and Buenavista Tomatlan.

Federal Commissioner Alfredo Castillo reported that after this afternoon, the Army and Federal Police will be totally in charge of security in those locations. The same measure, he said, will be applied in the community of La Mira, Lazaro Cardenas municipality.

"The Mexican Army and the Federal Police will assume total control of security in three specific localities: in the municipality of Apatzingan, in the community known as La Ruana, Buenavista municipality, and in the community of La Mira," he indicated.

In a press conference, he pointed out that of the more than 20 communities in which the Rural Police (program) has been implemented, this measure only involves three localities. "They are three places where the (rural police) members and/or the former self defense forces did not understand the importance of respecting institutions and  of fostering an environment of calm and social tranquility", he declared.

Castillo lamented that groups exist that have interests other than stability and development of the state. "Specifically, there are special interests disguised as self defense forces ("autodefensas") that are fighting for control of Apatzingan, and other groups that are fighting over leadership in their region to try to establish narcotics laboratories or to take control of the minerals," he charged.

The official declared that armed groups will not be allowed to operate. "Not in these places nor in any other part of the State will a person be allowed to be armed; they will be arrested and turned over to the proper authorities," he warned.

Autodefensas prepare for 'war' 

Far from surrendering their weapons, rival "autodefensa" groups say they are ready for a war in Tierra Caliente. Both sides accuse each other of having ties to organized crime and appear to be armed in this new struggle for control of the territory.

"Either they disarm Los Viagras, or they are going to have a war here," warned Aurelio Gomez, leader of the self defense forces in the community of Uspero.

In the interview, he accused authorities of allowing the other armed group to operate despite the alleged criminal ties of its leaders. "The government will make a mess if it tries to disarm us and allow them to continue operations. In that case, they'd better kill us," said this owner of fighting roosters, a friend of the armed group H3, led by Luis Antonio Torres, "El Americano".

Gomez stated that Los Viagras are tied to the Guerreros Unidos cartel and that their objective is to carry on the business of producing synthetic drugs as well as collecting protection money in the area.

The interview was given today to members of the media in Uspero , a town in the Paracuaro municipality.  Gomez was accompanied by relatives of 187 "autodefensas" arrested last year, accused of being members of Los Caballeros Templarios.

Fifteen kilometers away, people identified as belonging to Los Viagras have occupied the Apatzingan Government Building for the second consecutive day. Led by their leader, Nicolas Sierra Santana, they warned that they will not surrender their weapons until all the remaining leaders of the Tmplarios are eliminated.

 "There are still many Templarios left, and we've got them close by," stated Sierra Santana.  

Hung outside the municipal government building are signs and placards demanding the arrest of alleged Templarios, including their supreme commander, Servando Gomez, "La Tuta".

They also placed messages of support of the founder of the self defense forces, Hipolito Mora, who lost his son in a shootout on December 16 in La Ruana. A total of 11 people died in that gunfight and, according to Los Viagras, the attack was started by gunmen with "El Americano". Sierra commented that the takeover of the government building is to pressure federal authorities to reinforce safety in the area in view of the risk of a confrontation with the other armed group.