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A Member of the citizens’ council of the self-defense groups surrounding
Apatzingán, Michoacán, January 2014.
Photo By: Heriberto Paredes
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January 26, 2014- Given the voices
who see the emergence and spreading of the armed Self-Defense Movement against
organized crime and the government inaction against those in Michoacán, as a
worsening of the problem of violence in the state, I would like to compare a
series of arguments pointing in the opposite direction.
Everything indicates
that the Self-Defense Groups or comunitarios
(as they like to call themselves) of Tierra Caliente emerged on February 24,
2013, in an almost simultaneous movement carried out in two villages. This is how it’s been stated in various
interviews by two of the most famous people in the movement; Hipólito Mora of
La Ruana and Dr. Juan José Mireles Valverde of Tepalcatepec.
As the latter
has said, in a way, they took the example of the people of the P'urhépecha
Plateau, particularly of Cherán, where the popular organization managed to
expel not only drug traffickers, but also illegal loggers and political
parties, who they say just divided the people.
Being a town where the indigenous people are the majority, Cherán is governed by a system of practices and customs (self-governance), therefore the city hall was replaced in 2011by a council of 12 members elected by an assembly and its Community Police has full legal recognition. Today, although they are still harassed by criminal groups, the inhabitants of Cherán are living in one of the safest places in Michoacán.
If you would like to learn more about Cherán and how they operate watch the video below about the Guarda Bosques (Forest Keepers)
