CJNG Narco Blockades Across Michoacán in Response to Government Operation Against Tio Lako

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

At least 24 narco blockades have been reported across Michoacán this morning, in response to a government operation against high-ranking CJNG leader Heraclio Guerrero Martínez, alias “El Tio Lako”.

In a government press release, Mexico's Defense Ministry reported the operations in Tinaja de Vargas, Tanhuato  and Colesio, Ecuandureo, resulted in the arrests of nine CJNG members including Tio Lako's partner and son, but did not mention whether Tio Lako was captured or killed. The statement accused Tio Lako of ordering the attacks on security forces on February 22, following the death of Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho”.

In addition to the arrests, two homes, firearms, explosives, and a drone were seized. 

Violent retaliatory blockades of public roads, ambushes of state forces, and attacks against government and civilian infrastructure are a common tactic used by criminal groups in response to government operations. The intention is to force the government to release a captured leader, or create disorder and panic allowing the leader to escape.

According to the Michoacán State Center for Command, Communications, Computing, Control, Coordination and Intelligence, blockades were identified at the following locations: 

• MORELIA: Morelia - Quiroga Highway, near the Post Office.  
• TZINTZUNTZAN: Pátzcuaro - Tzintzuntzan Highway, near Sanabria. 
• COENEO: Comanja - Coeneo road, at the height of Comanja.  
• ZACAPU: Franco Reyes Cruiser.
• La Piedad-Ecuandureo at the height of La Esperanza.  
• La Piedad-Ecuandureo, at the height of the Marti Mercado Bypass.  
• La Piedad-Vista Hermosa, near Patty Station.  
• La Piedad- Numarán passing through Villas de Las Lomas.  
• La Piedad-Carapan; Churintzio Highway Turnoff.  
• La Piedad-Carapan; Zinapáro community, El Salvador.  
• Zamora-Ecuandureo road in the town of El Sauz.  
• Ecuandureo-La Piedad free road, Quiringúicharo locality.  
• Zamora-La Barca road at the height of El Pochote.  
• Purepero-Tlazazlca reference by Global Gas.  
• ZAMORA: Camino del Pochote - Ario de Rayón.  
• ZAMORA: At the height of the Yaki.  
• CHILCHOTA: Zamora-Carapan free road, Los Nogales locality.  
• CHILCHOTA: Free road Chilchota-Carapan, locality Tanaquillo. (Chilchota)  
• Zamora-Ixtlán free road (border between both municipalities).  
• ECUANDUREO: At the entrance of Ecuandureo between the towns of Ucácuaro and Ecuandureo.  
• ECUANDUREO: Near the Oxxo.  
• Carapan - Zacapu highway at the height of the CFE substation.  
• The road between Tangancicuaro and Carapan is located at KM 124 near Los Nogales.  
• La Barca road near Los Sauces

Sources: Proceso, Defensa prensa, Morning Press Conference 19 Aug