Mexican vigilantes occupy Knight Templars' stronghold!!

[hellheaven1987]

This is not that Knight Templars.

Vigilante groups in the troubled Mexican state of Michoacan have entered a stronghold of the Knights Templar drug cartel, occupying the main square.

Hundreds of vigilantes, backed up by armoured vehicles and troops, arrived in Apatzingan on Saturday.

They have also set up roadblocks around the city, in western Mexico.

The cartel controls much of the drug trafficking in the area, carrying out killings and kidnappings and extorting money from local people.

Vigilante leaders, who have joined the official security forces, and the army have been searching house by house for leaders of the Knights Templar.

Some arrests have been made, including the brother of one of the organisation's top leaders, according to local reports.

The vigilantes "will be in charge of security in Apatzingan", Michoacan deputy government secretary Fernando Cano told AFP news agency.

In the beginning of January, the "self-defence groups" launched an offensive against the Knights Templar gang, taking over several municipalities in Michoacan.

On 11 January, they also occupied the central square of Apatzingan, where the cartel's command is based.

But there were reprisals, with arson attacks against local businesses.

The new operation began just before 11:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Saturday.

The vigilantes, federal police and soldiers walked unchallenged into the centre of Apatzingan.

Checkpoints have been set up along several access routes to the city "to check who goes in and out," said vigilante leader Estanislao Beltran.

Source

I don't know, it seems in the past one year vigilante groups have increasingly played a major role in Mexican Drug War, which is a shame to Mexican police and military. I also wonder how Mexican government is going to deal those vigilantes after all the mess is over - may be some vigilantes would simply become the new cartel, who knows...

[DarthShizNit]

A great CNN piece on the Cartel and the vigilante groups fighting it. http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/wor...ryiGIW%26s%3D1

[hellheaven1987]

I am surprised the illegal iron trade part.

[DarthShizNit]

I know right? That's the last thing I would have expected lol. And the fact that their so open about it and that they sell to the Chinese.

[Carl Jung was right]

Interesting spin on the story. Mexican government and police utterly failing to curb gang violence, prompting citizens to take up arms and handle the problem themselves. Yet somehow, they're the problem, as if the act of taking the matter in their hands where no alternative exists is a crime in itself.

This isn't a case of self-righteous vigilantism common in comfortable Western countries with functioning legal systems and rule of law. This is the result of things being so unbearable, that some people act out of desperation.

What I think will happen is that the Mexican government, after seeing parts of its country fall apart in civil violence, will request US military intervention. Which will in turn, set up military bases and station troops in Mexican territory. Already there are calls from many segments of the Mexican population who are totally frustrated with the government's incompetence, to do just that, so the political support for such a move already exists.

[hellheaven1987]

set up military bases and station troops in Mexican territory.

Right, free American target for Knight Templars, not to mention the target probably is a Protestant heretic.

[Roma_Victrix]

Interesting spin on the story. Mexican government and police utterly failing to curb gang violence, prompting citizens to take up arms and handle the problem themselves. Yet somehow, they're the problem, as if the act of taking the matter in their hands where no alternative exists is a crime in itself.

Truly insane, yes. My support goes entirely to the vigilantes, not the largely corrupt police or even the military unfortunately.

What I think will happen is that the Mexican government, after seeing parts of its country fall apart in civil violence, will request US military intervention. Which will in turn, set up military bases and station troops in Mexican territory. Already there are calls from many segments of the Mexican population who are totally frustrated with the government's incompetence, to do just that, so the political support for such a move already exists.

Good God no! I don't think the American public could stomach that, and the Mexican government would never give the green light to concede their sovereignty. I'd rather we just terminate the silly outmoded "war on drugs" and instead of criminalizing drug use (and thus give profits to the cartel for lucrative illicit trade), treat its adherents as patients who need rehabilitating. We could certainly start with marijuana.

[hellheaven1987]

Truly insane, yes. My support goes entirely to the vigilantes, not the largely corrupt police or even the military unfortunately.

Unfortunately I don't believe selling lemons can net you enough military equipments.

[Condottiere 40K]

There's a suspicion that the right to bear arms may become a constitutional issue. Also, the tipping point may have been the molestation of the nubile maidens rather than undue unofficial taxation.

[John ''True Grit'' Wayne]

I thought this thread was about Heinz aka Knights Templar.

Dam shame to see Mexico in such trouble.Having the USA as a buyer for their drugs is the reason for all this trouble.Shame on you Obama.Shame on your failed drugs war.
Mexico has some crazy gangs going around.They torture people in religious creepy ways.Puts me off visiting their country for their lovely food and Tequila and weather.
I am sure tourism is effected by these gangs.You cant even get into a taxi without thinking you will be kidnapped.

[Denny Crane!]

Someone make a movie of this.

Please.

[Condottiere 40K]

Machete IV: Tijuana Knights

[mongrel]

Machete IV: Tijuana Knights

Damn!
You beat me to it!

[DarthShizNit]

I say we go clear and present danger on these and make a drug monopoly that we secretly control and monitor. What could possibly go wrong ?

In all seriousness, they openly admit that they now make far more money selling ore to China than they do through drugs. I can't help but think we're far past the point where decriminalizing drugs will sufficiently destabilize the cartels

[hellheaven1987]

Next thing we know is Chinese is sending machines for cartels to set up their own small firearm and munition factory.

Edit: To be fair that CNN video reminds me French Foreign Legion in 1930s; Legion at that time was one of largest landlords in Algeria and literally able to produce enough food just using those land and still able to produce revenue for Legion's private use without asking budget from French government - the base in Sidi Bel Abbès was built largely using those revenue, became a sore of Crusader fortress of Legion.

[the_mango55]

Saw a documentary on vigilante groups in the south pacific, and a large percentage of them were actually police and military guys who became after hours vigilantes to do things they couldn't do officially (like killing gang members with no trials). Wonder if this is similar?

[hellheaven1987]

Wonder if this is similar?

The CNN video is a bit outdated, as recently Mexican government has turned to support vigilante groups; although to be fair I highly doubt selling lemons can net those new military equipments.

Mexican vigilante groups in western Michoacan state have agreed to join the official security forces after weeks of taking the law into their own hands.

The "self-defence" groups have recently taken over a number of towns in their attempt to drive the Knights Templar drug cartel from the area.

The government announced on Monday that the vigilantes would now be integrated into units called Rural Defence Corps.

The vigilantes had clashed with government troops sent to disarm them.

The "self-defence" groups have accused the government of not doing enough to protect locals from the cartels, which extort local businessmen and farmers.

The vigilantes launched an offensive earlier this month, moving close to the stronghold of the Knights Templar cartel in the town of Apatzingan.

Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said the new units would be "temporary" and "under the control of the authorities to co-perate with the troops".

Source

Once again, I am really suspicious where they get those new equipments.

[Condottiere 40K]

I thought most of them were on the take.

[Farnan]

Ending the US criminalization of drugs would do little, as Europe is becoming the new market for the cartels.

[SinerAthin]

Ending the US criminalization of drugs would do little, as Europe is becoming the new market for the cartels.

I think we can all agree that if we were to legalize drugs, it would have to be a combined, global effort to have maximum effect.