Rigoberto López Mendoza, aka El Pantano, Is Arrested

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

Federal and state authorities reported the arrest of Rigoberto López Mendoza, "El Pantano," who is believed to be the mastermind behind the murder of Bernardo Bravo Manríquez, a leader of lemon growers in Apatzingán, and one of the operators of "Los Viagras," through his criminal cell known as "Los Pantanos."

Authorities have identified Rigoberto López Mendoza as the head of the extortion network targeting lemon growers in the Tierra Caliente region.

Reports indicate that the investigation file indicates that "El Pantano" coordinated the extortion scheme that affected lemon packers, transporters, and producers.

Officials from the Michoacán State Attorney General's Office (FGE) indicated that the arrest was achieved thanks to cross-referencing intelligence information, complaints filed by farmers, and the monitoring of financial transactions linked to organized crime.

Lemon producers in Michoacán have for years denounced the pressure exerted by criminal groups that impose quotas and control the citrus marketing chain, provoking protests and work stoppages among agricultural organizations.

Rigoberto López Mendoza, “El Pantano”

“El Pantano,” now identified as a member of the cell known as “Los Blancos de Troya,” the armed wing of the “Los Viagras” cartel, led the criminal group known as “Los Pantanos,” which operated in the municipality of Aguililla at the end of the last state administration.

Rigoberto López Mendoza, the group's leader and a native of Aguililla, was in charge of operating in that area for the alliance between Los Viagras and Cárteles Unidos (United Cartels) in their fight for territory against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

With the CJNG taking over the municipality of Aguililla, Los Pantanos abandoned the area, and in August of last year, Los Viagras abandoned Cárteles Unidos to ally themselves with the criminal cartel led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho.”

During the territorial dispute between Los Pantano and the CJNG in the municipality of Aguililla, the community of Aguaje became a ghost town, resulting from the forced displacement of families due to insecurity. In addition, the access road to the region was destroyed on several occasions to prevent the arrival of security forces.

Bernardo Bravo Manríquez

Rigoberto López Mendoza, El Pantano, alleged mastermind and perpetrator of the murder of Bernardo Bravo Manríquez, president of the Apatzingán Valley Citrus Growers Association.

Apatzingán, Michoacán 

Sources: Contramuro, La Silla Rota