Cartel Kills 7 Community Guards, Kidnaps 7 More in Mexico

Mexico is witnessing a surge of violence aimed at traditional and Indigenous community police forces, as they increasingly become targets of ruthless drug cartels, according to authorities.

In a tragic incident over the weekend, seven members of the community police in Coahuayana were brutally murdered by gunmen believed to be affiliated with drug cartels, as confirmed by Adrián López, the chief prosecutor in the state of Michoacán.

This attack came on the heels of another alarming incident in which seven members of an Indigenous community police force were kidnapped by suspected cartel gunmen in a different town. They endured severe torment before being released just days later.

As escalating turf wars rage across Mexico, many communities have resorted to forming “community police” forces. These groups often comprise local residents who volunteer or receive minimal compensation to safeguard their neighborhoods.

Despite their grassroots support and a long-standing tradition of self-defense, community police forces are often outmatched when it comes to firepower. The drug cartels they confront possess significantly greater resources and weaponry.

López explained that the recent attack in Coahuayana is tied to the ongoing struggle among drug cartels for control over coastal territories, vital for transporting cocaine shipments from the Pacific Ocean.

“The goal of these criminal groups is to expand their territories and engage in illegal activities, especially drug smuggling,” stated López.

Coahuayana, strategically positioned along the Pacific coast, serves as a prime location for drug traffickers. Boats transporting cocaine from South America frequently use this area, often discarding bales of cocaine into the ocean, which are then later recovered and transported ashore.

López noted that the region covering Michoacán and Colima has seen numerous cocaine seizures by naval authorities over the years.

While local sources refrained from naming the gang responsible for the recent killings, there is widespread suspicion that the Jalisco New Generation cartel, a dominant force in the area, is involved.

This cartel is also implicated in the kidnapping of the seven community guards, who were taken last Tuesday and later released. The individuals, known as “Kuárichas” in the Purepecha community, are part of an Indigenous policing force officially recognized for addressing minor offenses.

Following their abduction, extensive search efforts were launched, involving military and state police forces, yet officials have not disclosed details about the kidnappers or what transpired during the captives’ ordeal.

Brayan Javier, one of the freed officers, described the harrowing experience as “hell.” Another released guard, Luis Reyes, expressed gratitude for the swift mobilization of the Purepecha community, emphasizing their solidarity during the search.

“The unity of the entire town contributed to our strength, and that is what kept us going,” Reyes said.

Despite this show of resilience and community solidarity in the face of adversity, there remains a precarious question about the efficacy of Indigenous forces against entrenched cartel violence.

In recent months, regions in Chiapas—a predominantly Indigenous area—have essentially fallen under the control of competing drug gangs, leading some residents to flee for safety into Guatemala.

The Jalisco New Generation cartel is not only a threat to local communities but has also been implicated in targeting American citizens. Last month, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on various Mexican individuals and businesses tied to a fraudulent timeshare operation orchestrated by the cartel, costing Americans millions.

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has pursued the criminal enterprises behind these scams, which have reportedly defrauded at least 600 Americans of around $40 million.

Recently, OFAC announced additional sanctions against those linked to the Jalisco cartel, which has been known to employ threats and violence against employees of call centers attempting to leave their operations too.