Chivís Martínez for Borderland Beat
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In a Saturday meeting with representatives from 50 Michoacán communities, Dr Manuel Mireles was appointed sole spokesman of the General Council of Michoacán Autodefensas (self-defense).
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Five communities march in favor of autodefensas, as leaders report 12 additional autodefensas arrested
Dr Mireles stated, that the move was to better inform the public of decisions and movement in working in coordination with agencies to combat crime.
The action will give clarity on official positions and decisions of AD on all matters. Recently, there has been confusion, in part, due to multiple leaders speaking in an official manner, sometimes with incompatibility.
Dr. Mireles has steadfastly held the position, that all matters and decisions must be presented before council for a vote, and the result of the vote shall prevail.
While Dr. Mireles was convalescing with injuries from a plane crash, he was unilaterally removed as council spokesman by Estanislao Beltran, aka Papa Smurf.
The removal was conducted without a vote of council and came on the heels of a very candid interview DrMireles gave to El Pais.
On Sunday in five different locations in Michoacán against the governments proposed autodefensas disarmament. Demonstrations were reported in Apatzingán Miigica, Parácuaro, Los Reyes and La Huacana.
It was in the recently liberated town of Huetamo that AD reported the arrest of 12 AD members during the night, by federal forces.
Autodefensas believe that by disarming the group, that will make them vulnerable to other cartels, Zetas, CDG etc would likely move into Michoacán to take the territory from the weakened Templarios. "We don't want any cartels in Michoacán", said Dr, Mireles.
Autodefensas believe that by disarming the group, that will make them vulnerable to other cartels, Zetas, CDG etc would likely move into Michoacán to take the territory from the weakened Templarios. "We don't want any cartels in Michoacán", said Dr, Mireles.
Dr Mireles reported to me, that Americano is not the criminal some outlets have reported him to be. That he is a good friend of Dr Mireles. Neither he or Smurf are behind the death threats nor are they working in collusion with the commissioner to oust the movement.
Because Dr Mireles has not made public who those people are that are behind the threats, I will not say who they are, but will say who they are not.
What has occurred, is a small faction of an Autodefensa group, coordinators of two communities, rallied against the federation, and began meeting secretly with the State Commissioner of Security, Alfredo Castillo with a plan to disarm and destroy the federation union.
What led to the conflict between the two autodefensa groups was greed. The organizers of the two communities wanted title ownership of properties confiscated from the hands of Templarios, to be transferred to various leaders and coordinators and began doing so for themselves.
Dr Mireles and the autodefensas of the other 34 municipalities strongly opposed the actions, saying the land must go back to the rightful owners. This led to a split, which led to an all out conflict between the two sides. The small group began talks with the commissioner and the state, who want nothing more to eliminate the union and the problems that the group has caused the state. For over a year, investigations have been repeatedly called for by the AD federation, because of the pervasive corruption and cartel collusion.
Those who have followed the AD movement for the past year, will affirm that Dr Mireles has long spoken of the state level corruption, and specifically the meetings Jesus Reyna had attended with La Tuta on multiple occasion. The meetings were the basis for the recent arrest of Reyna, and was no surprise to those following Dr Mireles.
He has called for the expulsion of the commissioner for attempting to disarm the autodefensas. This is in direct violation of the 8 point agreement contracted by the state and the autodefensa federation. Namely, establishing the rule of law, security, and a fair delivery of justice. Only at that time would they lay weapons down.
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| Like Cherân before them, if necessary they will use sticks as weapons |
What has occurred, is a small faction of an Autodefensa group, coordinators of two communities, rallied against the federation, and began meeting secretly with the State Commissioner of Security, Alfredo Castillo with a plan to disarm and destroy the federation union.
What led to the conflict between the two autodefensa groups was greed. The organizers of the two communities wanted title ownership of properties confiscated from the hands of Templarios, to be transferred to various leaders and coordinators and began doing so for themselves.
Dr Mireles and the autodefensas of the other 34 municipalities strongly opposed the actions, saying the land must go back to the rightful owners. This led to a split, which led to an all out conflict between the two sides. The small group began talks with the commissioner and the state, who want nothing more to eliminate the union and the problems that the group has caused the state. For over a year, investigations have been repeatedly called for by the AD federation, because of the pervasive corruption and cartel collusion.
Those who have followed the AD movement for the past year, will affirm that Dr Mireles has long spoken of the state level corruption, and specifically the meetings Jesus Reyna had attended with La Tuta on multiple occasion. The meetings were the basis for the recent arrest of Reyna, and was no surprise to those following Dr Mireles.
He has called for the expulsion of the commissioner for attempting to disarm the autodefensas. This is in direct violation of the 8 point agreement contracted by the state and the autodefensa federation. Namely, establishing the rule of law, security, and a fair delivery of justice. Only at that time would they lay weapons down.
Caution: Social Media sites declared as autodefensa pages
The facebook page Valor Michoacán SDR, issued announcements falsely attributed to autodefensas.
The facebook page Valor Michoacán SDR, issued announcements falsely attributed to autodefensas.
It should be known that the above social network page is not connected to autodefensas and does not represent them. This is the word directly from Dr Manuel Mireles, and that would explain why the confusion of pages, such as this popular one, is in conflict with the actual position of autodefensas.
Case in point, the rumors about the person known as “Americano” and the H3 autodefensas group, originated on this FB page and is in directly contrary to AD and Dr Mireles position.
Case in point, the rumors about the person known as “Americano” and the H3 autodefensas group, originated on this FB page and is in directly contrary to AD and Dr Mireles position.
It has become common place that media outlets such as Proceso and Reforma, has taken the reports from these imposter social pages as the official position of the autodefensas council.
Another facebook page devoted to Dr Mireles, but not one he is associated with, was one he trusted until this week. They are naming Smurf and Americano as those who have threatened his death. He denounces that rumor, and flat out says it is untrue.
Another facebook page devoted to Dr Mireles, but not one he is associated with, was one he trusted until this week. They are naming Smurf and Americano as those who have threatened his death. He denounces that rumor, and flat out says it is untrue.
I wrote the administrator of Valor and asked him what evidence he has that Americano is a criminal and has criminal ties. And that H3 is a cartel. I also asked if his page is an official page of the autodefensas council or movement.
He wrote back, a week later, and asked if I wanted an interview.
He did not answer any of my questions.
Finally, the autodefensas began their own official facebook page. By tomorrow I should have the link, I am waiting for a verification.
Finally, the autodefensas began their own official facebook page. By tomorrow I should have the link, I am waiting for a verification.
Dr Mireles explained the first communities to raise arms and the leaders:
H3 signifies the third community (Buena vista) who took up in arms. (H1 is first, H2 is second and so forth)
Like H1 is the Ruana, the first who took up arms
And H2 is Tepalcatepec.
The coordinator general of the Ruana is Hipolito.
The general coordinator of Buenavista is the Americano.
The general coordinator of Tepalcatepec Or presidente.del Council autodefenzas of tepalcatepec is me. (Dr Mireles)
The coordinator. of Aguililla is Frutos
Coalcomán is Misael.
Apatzingan is Father Goyo.
The Nuevo Italia is Cuquín.
Churumuco is.Froilan.
La Huacana is Ulysses.
Los Reyes is Panchito (relative of the girls hanged in Limon de la Luna see foto)
Tancítaro is a son of Don Angel Bucio
Cotija is Paco.
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| A university student, her sister(a new mother), the husband a businessman and the second man a loved teacher |