Escalation of violence in Michoacán following a federal operation
On Monday, at noon, the state of Michoacán experienced a violent day that lasted until evening after federal and state forces launched an operation to arrest Ángel Chávez Ponce, alias 'El Camaleón', a regional leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
This operation marks the first in a series of arrests of individuals generating violence in the state following the high-profile assassination of Uruapan's mayor, Carlos Manzo. The outcome has been negative for the Security Cabinet led by Secretary Omar García Harfuch, given the implementation of the Michoacán Plan, which has been in effect for just one week and has resulted in 12 arrests.
During the security operations, two people were killed, there were narcoblockades, and heavily armed men engaged in violence in at least 16 municipalities of the state. The operation involved coordinated efforts from the Michoacán Public Security Secretariat, the Secretariat of National Defense, the Mexican Navy, the National Guard, and the Attorney General's Office.
Chávez Ponce began his criminal career with the Los Viagras group and in Pueblos Unidos (the armed wing of the Knights Templario, derived from La Familia Michoacana). He was identified as one of the criminal leaders of Los Blancos de Troya, responsible for extorting citrus producers in Apatzingán and operating for the Jalisco Cartel.
Consequently, a full-scale land and air operation was deployed in the Sierra de La Cantera, in the municipality of Salvador Escalante, a stronghold of 'El Camaleón'. Authorities have also identified him as being responsible for extortion and drug trafficking.
Furthermore, the violence occurred just hours before a new public security secretary took office in Michoacán. The new secretary is José Antonio Cruz, a former member of the state prosecutor's office and a former executive of the National Guard, who replaced Juan Carlos Oseguera.
He is now considered a key associate of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias 'El Mencho'. Versions circulating in the National Palace, as reported by the press at the morning conference, point to efforts to bring those responsible for the murder of Bernardo Bravo Manríquez, a citrus leader from Apatzingán, to justice.
Rigoberto López Mendoza, known as 'Plátano', was arrested on October 21st for the material execution of the homicide of Bernardo Bravo.
