René Valencia, leader of the Social Revolution movement founded by the assassinated mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, denounced that death threats against him and other people close to the former mayor continue. In a message shared on social media, he assured that different criminal groups have tried to intimidate them in recent days, amid a federal security operation. "We have been receiving death threats from different criminal groups since Saturday," Valencia stated, explaining that the intimidations also reached "several deputies and key personnel from Uruapan." The leader indicated that he has already filed complaints with the Prosecutor's Office and that, for security reasons, he will suspend the live broadcasts he used to make. "We are not going to do live broadcasts so as not to reveal our locations and not to become an easy target for criminals," Valencia said. Valencia participated in a tribute to Manzo held in Uruapan, where he reiterated his criticisms of the government and the security strategy implemented in Michoacán. He affirmed that the so-called 'Michoacán Plan' is "a rehash of Calderón's and Peña's, they just added a little more money now," and considered that the social causes of violence are not being addressed. During citizen operations, the movement's leader denounced the detection of groups dedicated to truck theft in Morelia, and affirmed that actions were carried out with the Prosecutor's Office that yielded positive results. "There were many results, many vehicles have been secured, you will see them," he said. In his message, he also called for the implementation of free centers for the treatment of addictions and mental health that allow for the rehabilitation of young people and adults without their families having to bear high costs. "If the government really wanted to attack the causes that so much criminality, let it do what we do: save addicts, regenerate them and return them to society," he explained. Likewise, he highlighted that his movement has a healing center where people receive psychological therapies and social reintegration processes. Valencia criticized the presence of checkpoints that, according to him, "are not doing their job, they are just parked" and that, in some cases, the officers charge fees from truckers and taxi drivers. In addition, he insisted that the government is not acting firmly against criminals protected by corrupt officials. "There would be no criminals if there were no corrupt politicians who protect and cover for them," the activist emphasized. Valencia stressed that the combination of threats and the context of insecurity forces his movement to reduce its operations. "Having bodyguards no longer guarantees your life," he warned, and called on the authorities to implement changes in the security strategy, "with firmness and a strong hand." Valencia backed and recognized the start of the new mayor of Uruapan, Grecia Quiroz, widow of Carlos Manzo —assassinated on November 1st at the Candlelight Festival in Uruapan—. Finally, René Valencia called on the citizenry to actively participate to improve security and coexistence in the region.
