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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Federal Commissioner Alfredo Castillo, An Anachronism and Horror

Proceso: Javier Sicilia*
Translated by Jorge A. Borrel-Guzman

In The Communicating Vessels of Tradition and the Return of the Sinister (Los vasos comunicantes de la tradición y el retorno de lo siniestro, Sin embargo magazine, July 9th, 2014), Tomás Calvillo makes an important and accurate determination regarding the presence and conduct in Michoacán of federal commissioner Alfredo Castillo:

“More than a figure of the republic, the commissioner resembles a royal visitor [agent] of the colonial period,” specifically “José Gálvez.

Similarly to visitor Gálvez, who was sent in 1767 by King Carlos III to Michoacán to re-establish his authority, commissioner Alfredo Castillo was instructed by Enrique Peña Nieto, in January 2014, to fulfill the same purpose. Just like Gálvez, Castillo also intends to control the rebellions that erupted in that state. 

While Gálvez tried to control the rebellions derived from the expulsion of Jesuits, Castillo tries to control those derived from the atrocities of organized crime. Just like the royal visitor, Castillo uses jail and summary judgment. Unlike Gálvez–because today it is politically incorrect–, he doesn’t apply the gallows, lashes, or exile. Instead, he applies pressure, intimidation, falsification of evidence, and authoritarianism as a mark of government.

But although Gálvez’ conduct was comprehensible –he lived in the 18th Century, the epoch of absolutist States and the absence of human rights–, Castillo’s conduct is not. His conduct, apart from being anachronistic and contrary to all republicanism, is, consequently, atrocious. 


During his nearly seven months on duty, he has not been able to re-establish the authority of the republic. On the contrary, he has made an unlawful and perverse use of it. His appointment has resulted in an authoritarian and criminal use of power, or as defined by Tomás Calvillo, sinister.

This word is accurate. It expresses the obscure, the dark, and the atrocious. The most recent evidence of this repeated behavior is the incarceration of José Manuel Mireles. Dr. Mireles, just like Hipólito Mora, was incarcerated, not because of the crimes attributed to him, which, based on the proofs provided by Mireles’ defense, are fabricated, but because of his unwillingness to align himself with such an obscure abstraction that asserts that the legitimate use of force is exclusively exercised by and under the control of the State. 


For commissioner Castillo, that’s what is important–as he appears to reduce the existence of the State to such an idea–and not the crime per se.


That is the only way to explain such things as Hipólito Mora’s liberation, the lack of investigation against former governor [Fausto] Vallejo despite the serious suspicions of his links with The Knights Templars, and against other public figures. That is the only way to explain that, despite all the military intelligence resources available to Castillo, La Tuta [head of The Knights Templar cartel] remains at large and Mireles is in jail.

Mireles’ crime is his refusal to agree with a corrupted State that has failed to re-establish the true rule of law, a failure that he has put in the public spotlight.

We don’t know if the weapons carried by Mireles’ self-defense groups–the only real crime for which he’s being charged–were provided by some drug cartel. Nobody has proved it so far. However, we know that his fight, considering the conditions of violence and corruption of the government of Michoacán, thus far is legitimate and with deep ethical grounds. There is a fine congruence between his words and his actions.


On the contrary, the commissioner, under the cover of the impunity of the State, keeps betraying his word, fabricating crimes against Mireles–weeks before his arrest, Castillo accused him of showing off with the head of a human being–, of imposing, just like a royal visitor in colonial times, an authoritarian order, of violating Michoacán’s sovereignty, and of making policy under the rule of submission or the club. His conduct, as a representative of a government that intends to restore its authority, is disgraceful.

There is no possibility of reaching agreements when political confidence and the ethics on which they should rely are built on defamation, a wrong interpretation of the purpose of the State, and the incarceration and humiliation of the moral leader of the self-defense groups. Because of this, we should ask ourselves if Peña Nieto is, in reality, an authoritarian ruler who, just like Carlos III, sent his agent to serve interests different from security, peace and justice, or if he is a president who, deceived by his government machinery, is being used against the republic.


 Whichever it is, the conduct of commissioner Castillo raises doubts about the federal government and exalts the figure of Mireles. While Mireles, incarcerated and treated as a criminal, grows as a champion of the rule of law, the government becomes undermined as a simple manager of sinister interests and a transgressor of dignity. Is there any way out?

Of course: replacing the commissioner and releasing Mireles. Castillo said it himself on July 11th before the Mexican Employers’ Association (Coparmex):

“Michoacán doesn't need caudillos [political strongmen]. It needs sound and strong institutions, led by peoples with ideas and thoughts.”

He’s right, but such institutions will not be built without Mireles and without the dismissal of the commissioner who has become something worse than a caudillo; he has become a colonial agent during times that are in need of republicanism and all the civic morality that still remains inside us.

*Javier Sicilia (Mexico City, 1956) is a well-known activist, poet, essayist, novelist and Mexican journalist, contributing to such Mexico dailies as La Jornada and Proceso. Following the murder of his son, Juan Francisco, together with six friends, by drug gang members on March 28, 2011, he founded the Movement for Peace With Justice and Dignity, which has organized Caravans to the North and South of Mexico in 2011 and to the United States in 2012 and 2013, in order to give voice to victims’ stories.

37 comments:

  1. How do you ask a regime that is indifferent to the injustice suffered by it's citizens to turnaround and all of a sudden give you rule of law. Who sends a commissioner to put everything order but inreality is sent to find a way to extinguish a revolution of social justice. Lets get this straight. EPN and the PRI's only interest is to utilize their power to exploit Mexico's resources to enrich themselves and the elite they serve. Damn the rule of law desired by the people of Michoacan and Guerrero etc. The Federal forces don't go after the armed cartels, however, they are quick to disarm the autodefensas who actually care for the security of their states and their people. Yeah, the legitimate use of force is the exclusively exercised by and under the control of the state and the cartels.

    Mexicanos need to come to the realization
    that the American people for the most part don't about their plight. The only interest they have in Mexico is whether or not they want to plan their next vacation in one of Mexico's beautiful resorts. Or if the margaritas taste good. They are indifferent to the struggles of everyday life whether for economic or security reasons. The only Americans that seem to care about Mexico are the corporate elites who want to exploit it's resources or if they have enough hands to the work at the their ranches. The American corporate media feeds us story after story of a religious/ethnic conflict half a world away, the Isreali-Palestinian conflict, while the mafia violence of Mexico and the oppression of the people at the hands of the elite power structure receives nary a blip on the radar. Wake-up people of Mexico. Despiertense gente de México.

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    Replies
    1. Agreed 100 percent!!!!! Sad sad story

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  2. It is plainly obvious that the rebellions against corruption and organized crime is a rebellion against the now existing government and status quo, neither of which the people in power want to change.

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  3. I first went to Michoacan about 50 years ago. I thought things were like the times of 100 years past. Now as you can see it is like 250 years ago. The government has always been despicable but the people were strong, now they are beaten down by a strong self serving government.

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  4. Alfredo Castillo is worst than a criminal because he has a position of power authorized by the Mexican government. He hides under the skirt and protection of the Mexican government's jurisdiction. He cannot continue ruining honest people's lives. Eventually, someone will eventually react with equal force whether it be legal or illegal.

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  5. Welcome to the darkside!

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  6. Dr Mireles crime is that he chose not to make deals that would continue corruption!

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  7. when will Mexico cleanse itself of criminals in office....

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    Replies
    1. When an honest politician has enough backing by the military, and police force?

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  8. I love these historically related posts. Thank you. Peaking my curiosity I searched Jose de Galvez and found this: more similarities to Castillo. Castillo would make a good fit with the Zetas. Maybe he is one.

    http://www.academia.edu/3140618/_All_the_Furies_of_Hell_Joseph_de_Galvezs_Mental_and_Behavioral_Aberrancy_While_Occupying_the_Office_of_Visitor-General_of_New_Spain_1765-1771

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  9. Every government is dirty!

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    Replies
    1. # 1 is Castillo, and EPN

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    2. But none are this dirty and obvious about it.

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    3. Espn is not that bad, he is protecting our country.

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    4. Hey, I watch ESPN also!

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    5. Naw, he's not that bad! He's just selling out Mexico wealth and is backed by some of the most corrupt people this world has ever seen!

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  10. Free Dr. Mireles !! Lock up the real criminal Alfredo Castillo!!

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    Replies
    1. He is better off in jail, unless you want him dead.

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  11. Who gives a shit where the AD's weapons came from when they are being used to kill cartel members, stupid ass government. Also, good job proceso!

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  12. castillo with pena nieto, got to power thanks to priista governors of states full of zetas, they are zetas, of course, forging the new organization, with a different name, but zangre zeta thru and thru, la compañia (cia) does not get that name for nothing from Z corporations owner like zapata oil: george hw bush, who has cashed royally from his magnified wwII heroics, 70 years of work!!! criminal work!!!

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  13. When Dr. Mireles was initially arrested, Narco-Castillo publicly accused him of several counts of homicide, being in possession of weapons for the exclusive use of the military and possession of narcotic drugs. The homicide charges were dismissed soon thereafter when it was proven that Dr. Mireles could not have participated in the homicide of several people because he was attending a conference/meeting with a number of supporters in Mexico City.

    This information illustrated to the world that Narco-Castillo is not only a puppet of the Narco-President and the PRI Cartell but also a buffoon. By failing to establish the whereabouts of Dr.Mireles, at the time the murders allegedly occurred, he proved to the world that any and all charges were vindictive in nature.

    Narco-Castillo, eres un desgraciado quien vendio el alma por unos miserables pesos. Do Mexico and the world a huge favor, get into the same helicopter used to transport Dr. Mireles after he was arrested. Have the pilot climb to 8,000 feet and allow the crew to throw you out into the ocean without a parachute just as you threatened to do to Dr. Mireles. He is a man worthy of living in this world and you pendejo are not. While you are at it, take that Narco-president with you.

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  14. That corrupt jerk Castillo continues to work against the good intentions of the coastal auto defenses and citizens in Michoacan. These armed citizens are not ex Templarios, criminals or extortionists, They are just normal people who have suffered murdered loved ones, lands taken, extorted and are fed up being intimidated by the Templario cockroaches. That pinche puppet Castillo and the new appointed pussy governor Jara must be replace by the peoples choice. Hipólito Mora was falsely arrested and then released after his life and families were threaten by Castillos thugs to bow out quietly. . Dr Mireles will be released and he will not buckle to the corrupt power at work. Over 100 innocent auto defense good guys with legitimate jobs and familiesto support are political prisoners incarcerated by the PRI. Its heart breaking. People should believe in their cause and send any financial help to insure the success of this movement to rid the state of these Templario scum bags and corrupt politicians. Where is the governments dialogue and presence on the coast to help these citizens protect there rights and lives?? These good people are on their own fighting organized criminals and corrupt state and federal government on a shoe string budget. Tuta has proof of to many political PRI members and remains free while Dr Mireles is locked up treated like a criminal. Great job Castillo. Mexico could be such a beautiful country if not for the greed of the rich..

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  15. lest we forget, FREE DR MIRELES!!!
    CHINGUEN A SU MADRE PENA NIETO Y EL CASTILLO DE CAGADA Y EL PRI...

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    Replies
    1. The government is only protecting Dr. M.

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  16. LORD JESUS:
    The blood of the martyrs and innocents cries out for justice.
    Please hear our prayers...

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  17. Castillo has a boss. If the boss didn't like his work he would be removed. That may not be too far away if this report is any indication. It looks like the numbers reflect the same things read daily in social media and unfiltered sources.

    Promises of Hope Tarnished by Lack of Change (Pena Nieto)

    http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/23/world/americas/promises-of-hope-tarnished-by-lack-of-change.html

    and

    http://1aplana.mx/estado/pena-nieto-se-hunde-the-new-york-times/

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  18. The political winds are blowing and it's not looking too good for EPN, and Castillo! I am predicting they will do all the can to shut the honest good people of Mexico down through any means Millitary, Police, News outlets, censorship, or any other means including the backing of certain criminals like he did in Michoacan with the Rurales! Mark my words!

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  19. 9:59 i hope God is listening to you bro, the only time something good was happening and el pri maricoratas had to come and fuck it up, even if they had nothing to gain and a lot to lose, the priista mentality of pena nieto had to come forward, as if he owned the land and the indians...

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  20. The way i see it is simple,the pri is not ashame nor inverest of it self for the simple reason,this great big world does not care whats going on in mexico,cos if goberments from other countrys would have said something then the pri would have to change its ways even if it was just for a while.

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  21. on the field of another big bad news, there is talk about some 50 nations governments pact to protect global pirate vulture capitalistas from laws or intentions pretending to reverse the privatization of state owned assets, they all intend to go to war against anybody attempting to act against their ownership of the bounty or against their power grabs for even more bounty
    which calls for a mutiny on the Bounty once again.
    --we the people need to start working on the alternate people's government that will set things straight once again, forget fighting against these motherfuckers, start building our own, working peacefully, instead of trying to destruct the formidable enemy.
    the rothschilds, the bush, the queen, kissinger, slim and co. are very old and we dont know who is to succeed them, and we don't have anybody to play against them, other than snowden or the wikileakers, or anonymous with their wacko ideas, time for the rotten milk to curdle and make some cheese!
    "...are you goin' to bark like a puppy all day, or are you goin' to bite...?
    atte:
    . mr blonde, reservoir dogs...thanks quentin!
    de pelicula!!!

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  22. The first comment says the Americans just don't care. The Americans don't know the name José Manuel Mireles. In Texas we have a majority Hispanic population they don't know the name José Manuel Mireles. If it wasn't for BB I wouldn't know the name José Manuel Mireles. I post to FB and my website. What else can I do to help get the word out.

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  23. Thank you Slow Pokey...
    More people outside of Mexico now know Dr Mireles because of the arrest. His support is beyond anything I could have imagined. I hope he survives prison. He has endured two hospitalizations in one month.

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  24. nobody is better off in jail, but this is working for the cause, exposimg who the rats are all over the mexican government, they are even fighting themselves to rob from the rich, like german larrea owner of railroads that bring illegals to the US, partner of carlos slim and some big powerful US businessmen and railroading corporations, against the son of the mexican supreme court chief, and televisa and veracruz governor, big bitch fights are cooking between mexican politicians and businessmen, many rich people will help Dr Mireles, who certainly chivis has helped from our home at BB!!!

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  25. Off with their heads! Let them eat cake!The peasants are revolting(they certainly are).SILENCE KNAVE!!

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  26. The Devils are free and have triumphed Mario Ruiz Massieu after the murder of his brother by the dark forces of the PRI . Castillo is the typhical member of the PRI corrupt, greedy and ambitious is the dolphin of Enrique Peña member of Atracomucho Group of Mexico State.

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