Translated by Yaqui for Borderland Beat
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| Burning trucks on Highway Siglo XXI |
Francisco Castellanos J for Proceso
May 19, 2017
Michoacan lived through its second consecutive day of blockades and dozens of burning vehicles by Organized Crime cells operating in the Tierra Caliente region, Bajio and Zona Occidente of the state; which paralyzed traffic and caused great fear and panic among its citizens in five of thestates municipalities.
Sirens of Firemen, Civil Protection units, State and Federal Police forces were heard everywhere. Businesses were closed and Public Transportation services suspended: bus and taxi transport and roads were all closed down. Bus service resumed 18 hours later.
Smoke from delivery trucks burning at city entrances was seen everywhere; schools of all educational levels canceled classes, which caused more fear and panic for parents as they came immediately to pick up their children.
The Ministry of Public security (SSP) intensified surveillance operations throughout the state's road network, with special attention in Tierra Caliente, to inhibit the blockades and the burning of vehicles that were being carried out in retaliation after the arrest of 22 suspected members of Los Viagras last Thursday, May 18.
Eighteen high caliber arms,"for the exclusive use of the Mexican Army", were secured along with tactical equipment and ammunition. Countless vehicles were stranded and/or abandoned along the highway.
The Authorities near Gambara, in the Municipality of Mujica, were fired upon during the altercation and subsequent arrest of the Los Viagras members and several were wounded.
Attorney Jose Martin Godoy said that one of the arrested was Gonzalo Verduzco Plancarte, "El Sema", a native of La Huacana, who has been identified as the alleged leader of the detained criminal group. "El Sema" is also said to be the right arm of Ignacio Renteria Andrade, "El Cenizo".
"He is the person identified as the one who led these criminal actions", Godoy stated.
On the instructions of the Secretary of Public Safety, Juan Bernardo Corona Martinez, the personnel of the Michoacan State Police installed revision points in Antunez, Cenidor, El Letrero, Lombardy, as well as Highway XXI at the exit towards the port city of Lazaro Cadenas; additionally in Santa casilda, Taretan, San Angel Zurumucapio, Zirahuen, San Pedro Barajas, las Canas, Barrio Chino and Infiernillo.
Police officers then moved to the Apatzingan-Buena Vista Highway to remove two vehicles that were set ablaze, one belonging to the Freightliner Company, and a Nissan truck of the Caja Seca transport line. The area was immediately cordoned off and secured to avoid harassment by civilians.
In Paracuaran, members of the Michoacan police removed three vehicles which were completely incinerated at access entry points to a gas station on Franco Rodriguez St. in the Municipality.
In Jacona, there was a report of a person on a motorcycle setting fire to a Ford Ranger truck, who fled the scene and a search operation immediately intensified to locate him.
The Ministry of Public Security indicated that it will now maintain surveillance operations on a permanent basis throughout the State of Michoacan's roads.
The detained suspected narco-trafficking criminals were brought before the Specialized High Impact Crime Dept.,which has begun an investigative report on the aggression towards the security agents and will present it to the PGR in relation to the crime of violation of the Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives.