A community in the Mexican state of Guerrero is fighting for survival against the influence of drug cartels. Javier Hernández, the group's leader, explains that they do not want to join the cartels or cede their territory to avoid living in slavery. Guerrero, a state with deep roots in violence, has become a 'kaleidoscope of armed groups,' including local gangs and self-defense groups, many of which have been co-opted by the same criminal organizations they initially fought. In 2020, when the 'Nueva Familia Michoacana' cartel attempted to control the community of Guajes de Ayala, residents were forced to arm themselves to resist land clearing and coercion. Members of the self-defense group, mainly armed with AK-47s purchased from the cartels themselves, admit their weapons cannot compete with the firepower of the drug cartels. Despite their efforts, the situation has not improved: many residents have fled, turning the town into a 'ghost town,' and schools and clinics have closed. The death of CJNG leader 'El Mencho' has raised fears of a new wave of violence. While the self-defense group claims independence, their arsenal, including drones and American-made rifles, tells a different story. The community, which once had 1,600 people, has been reduced to 400, and people continue to flee their homes in fear of the ongoing conflict.
