Family of 'La Familia Michoacana' Leadership Distributes Toys In Palos Altos, Guerrero

 "Enojon" for Borderland Beat 

Amy Katilia Hurtado Hernández (daughter of ‘La Familia Michoacana’ (LFM) leader Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga ‘El Pez’) distributed toys to local residents on January 6th as part of the Día de los Reyes Magos celebrations at a school in the Palos Altos town of Arcelia, Guerrero. 

Through her social media Hernández would publish a recording of her giving out toys from a station set up at the school’s basketball court alongside her son–Olascoaga’s Grandson–stating she’s “showing him to share”. Although she did not disclose where the event was held, we confirmed where it occurred after searching regions where La Familia Michoacana is known to have a presence. Finding a school whose infrastructure matched what was shown in the recording. 

(Censored image of the event published by Hernández)

We contacted the school in question on January 8th with the aim of learning how the event was funded and whether the institution was aware of her connection to the criminal organization at the time, but we’ve received no response yet. 

Photograph By La Critica De La Región Guerrero on Facebook (Structure shortly after it's completion) 

Along the Mexican Federal Highway 2 (Coordinates: 18.36892246223332, -100.27246616692803) lies a structure with the name of the region decorated with a large fish under the letter L and a strawberry embedded in the stone walkway. However, we were unable to find any data that details if either resource is of importance to the area. Both symbols have been used to refer to the La Familia Michoacana leaders Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga ‘El Pez’ and Jose Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga ‘El Fresa’. Supporters of the group will frequently share videos and images of the structure through social media while attaching hashtags directly referencing the criminal figures along with songs, typically termed ‘Narco-Corridos,’ praising them. 

(Video showing a strawberry and fish designs allegedly referring to the LFM leaders)

According to the news publication SDP Noticias, the criminal figures were born in the Palos Altos region and have maintained a strong presence in Guerrero. This is seen by Alfredo openly discussing his alleged dealings with Conrado Mendoza, the former Mayor of San Miguel Totolapan, Guerrero following an attack against Mendoza and local residents on October 5th, 2022 that resulted in the deaths of 18 people. 

Criminal organizations have carried out similar charitable acts where they’ll often distribute food or gifts with the intent of establishing a false sense of trust within communities they intend to enter and operate within. Typically marking the gifts with the emblem of their organization so local residents can associate the markings with what appear to be good actions, but contribute to the ongoing violence they suffer by confronting rival groups or directly attacking the communities themselves. Establishing a relationship with local residents has been deemed beneficial as discussed in the podcast “El Sicario” by Noticias Telemundo where an alleged member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) would disclose how residents of Talpa de Allende, Jalisco would hide gunmen from authorities in their homes where they would then allow the gunmen in hiding to change their clothing to evade capture. 

The following groups have also given out food or gifts to residents in territories under their control: 

- The Sinaloa Cartel (CDS)

- The Gulf Cartel (CDG) 

- Los Viagras 

- Special Forces Group Sombra (FEGS) 

This is only a short list of the many groups who have given gifts to their residents to benefit themselves in the communities they operate in.

While these communities may have temporarily benefited from such charitable acts, in no manner should these actions be applauded or used to justify the existence of such criminal organizations. No bag of groceries or toys will ever be enough to counter the horrific violence they’ve carried out and will continue to perpetrate throughout the nation. 

The image has been censored and the name of the school redacted over the harm the institution and those involved can face. 

Sources: Hyperlinked In Text