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| Agreement for the Federal Security Assistance of Michoacán |
January 27, 2014—The Self-Defense Groups that emerged in Michoacán signed an agreement today along with the federal and state government that will transform them into elements of the Rural Defense Corps, an existing organization under the control of the military. Rurales, groups of armed volunteers who were once used to keep peace in rural areas when security forces were unavailable, once existed between 1861 and 1914, during Mexico’s turbulent 19th century.
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| Group of Rurarles in 1922 |
The signing achieved under the Agreement for the Federal Security Assistance of Michoacán (Acuerdo para el Apoyo Federal a la Seguridad de Michoacán), states that the government of the Republic and the state of Michoacán came to a “conviction of rebuilding peace and public order”. The Self-Defense Groups also agreed to provide a list of all of its members.
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| Alfredo Castillo Cervantes |
Alfredo Castillo Cervantes, commissioner for the security and integral development of Michoacán, said that the agreement, although it’s a first step, is critical in fulfilling the security strategy in the state.
Apart from Castillo Cervantes, Michoacán’s Governor Fausto Vallejo Figueroa and along with representatives from communities such asChurumuco de Morelos, Nueva Italia de Ruíz, La Huacana, Parácuaro, Tancítaro, Cualcomán de Vázquez Pallares, Aquila and Coahuayana de Hidalgo were present.
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| María Elena Morera de Galindo |
Also, the signing was witnessed by the president of Causa en Común (Common Cause) María Elena Morera de Galindo and the General Commissioner of the Federal Police, Enrique Galindo Ceballos.
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| Enrique Galindo Ceballos |
1. The Self-Defense Groups will be institutionalized by joining the Rural Defense Corps. The leaders of the Self-Defense Groups will present a list of all the names of its members, which will be validated with the formation of the respective documents, controlled by theSEDENA (Secretariat of National Defense). These bodies will be temporary and under the control of the authority pursuant of the applicable provisions.
2. For the protection of their communities, members of the Self-Defense Groups may form part of the Municipal Police provided they can complete the requirements of the law and have the joint signature of the City Council to be proposed for a membership of said police force.
3. The Self-Defense Groups have an obligation to register the weapons they currently posses to the SEDENA. In turn, the SEDENA must agree to provide them with the necessary tools for communication, transportation, and operation.
4. It is agreed that municipalities with conflict will conduct an audit of the use of public resources in accordance with applicable laws.
5. The rotation of Federal and Local Prosecutors will be established as well as the implementation of mobile prosecutor units.
6. The Commission of the Safety and Comprehensive Development of Michoacán will be committed in maintaining constant communication with municipal authorities in the area to offer support pursuant to the authority of said Commission.
7. The necessary arrangements will be made in the state of Michoacán, without having to leave the state, for the cases of the people who were arrested for carrying a gun and for those who are on bail pending trial.
8. In the case of the municipal and state public officials who have criminal or administrative sanctions, and that are fully proven, will have the full extent of the law applied to them.
Source: Animal Politico