Borderland Beat
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I previously posted the video, if you missed it or want to revisit it, link on here.
Estanislao Beltran, one of the leaders of the self-defense groups in Michoacán, mocked what was said by Servando Gomez, alias "La Tuta", premier leader of Caballeros Templarios, with British television, in a long his interview with Channel 4., that I posted on January 28th.
Beltran particularly criticized the complaints Tuta made against the autodefensas, as Tuta held them responsible for the violence that prevails in the state.
"It's a lie, he is a person who has been engaged in extortion, kidnapping, and murderer, Who lacks value and civil courage, "said the autodefensas leader in an interview with Radio Formula.
The community leader, who also questioned why the government has not yet arrested the Templarios leader, when journalists have access to him for interviews.
And last Tuesday, the Chanel 4 News in Britain released a video of their interview with La Tuta. Although he admitted to being a criminal, he blames the autodefensas for the climate of violence prevailing in the state, and calls on the federal government to be responsible for law and order and not self-defense.
In this regard, the community leader who is nicknamed Papa Smurf, said:
"We know he (La Tuta) is found in the mountains of Michoacán, with Apatzingán”. “We need to push harder, the government should bring in helicopters, search the mountain area, and find him, if that doesn’t work, we then implement alternatives.”
Regarding the current situation in the Tierra Caliente, on Monday, after signing the agreement between authorities and self-defense, Beltran said the town of Tepalcatepec Wednesday enlisted their self-defense and today Buenavista will enlist, and that they are preparing to deliver required records.
He said they are executing what was agreed in the pact.
In an interview with Milenio TV, Beltran confirmed that the confrontation recorded last Wednesday, in coordination with the Federal Police, in the town of Los Reyes, they captured several Templarios. "One of them is an enforcer leader”.
He noted that they will be inspecting, assuring that it is the people and not criminals, who use the name of the autodefensa.
"The peoples protest by themselves. There are towns that rise up without the presence of the self-defense forces. What we do, is go to verify for legality. Assuring, that it is the town which is rising up, and not groups of criminals who are using the name of autodefensa", he explained.
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