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Mexico vigilantes enter Knights Templar cartel stronghold Mexico vigilantes enter Knights Templar cartel stronghold
(about 5 hours later)
Vigilante groups in the troubled Mexican state of Michoacan have entered a stronghold of the Knights Templar drug cartel, occupying the main square.Vigilante groups in the troubled Mexican state of Michoacan have entered a stronghold of the Knights Templar drug cartel, occupying the main square.
Hundreds of vigilantes, backed up by armoured vehicles and troops, arrived in Apatzingan on Saturday.Hundreds of vigilantes, backed up by armoured vehicles and troops, arrived in Apatzingan on Saturday.
They have also set up roadblocks around the city, in western Mexico.They have also set up roadblocks around the city, in western Mexico.
The cartel controls much of the drug trafficking in the area and is known to extort money from local farmers and businesses. The cartel controls much of the drug trafficking in the area, carrying out killings and kidnappings and extorting money from local people.
Vigilante leaders, who have joined the official security forces, and the army say they will begin searching house by house for the leaders of the Knights Templar. Vigilante leaders, who have joined the official security forces, and the army have been searching house by house for leaders of the Knights Templar.
Some arrests have been made, including the brother of one of the organisation's top leaders, according to local reports.
The vigilantes "will be in charge of security in Apatzingan", Michoacan deputy government secretary Fernando Cano told AFP news agency.
In the beginning of January, the "self-defence groups" launched an offensive against the Knights Templar gang, taking over several municipalities in Michoacan.In the beginning of January, the "self-defence groups" launched an offensive against the Knights Templar gang, taking over several municipalities in Michoacan.
On 11 January, they also occupied the central square of Apatzingan, where the cartel's command is based.On 11 January, they also occupied the central square of Apatzingan, where the cartel's command is based.
But there were reprisals, with arson attacks against local businesses.But there were reprisals, with arson attacks against local businesses.
This time the vigilantes returned to the city ostensibly unarmed, albeit supported by Mexican army troops. The new operation began just before 11:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Saturday.
They walked unchallenged into the centre of Apatzingan. The operation began just before 11:00 local time (17:00 GMT). The vigilantes, federal police and soldiers walked unchallenged into the centre of Apatzingan.
Local reports say checkpoints have been set up along several access routes to the city. Checkpoints have been set up along several access routes to the city "to check who goes in and out," said vigilante leader Estanislao Beltran.
'No further delay''No further delay'
The strategy has been agreed between the vigilante leaders, army and police officers and President Enrique Pena Nieto's envoy to Michoacan, Alfredo Castillo.The strategy has been agreed between the vigilante leaders, army and police officers and President Enrique Pena Nieto's envoy to Michoacan, Alfredo Castillo.
On Friday, one of the vigilante leaders, Hipolito Mora, said the occupation could not be delayed any longer.On Friday, one of the vigilante leaders, Hipolito Mora, said the occupation could not be delayed any longer.
"We need to enter Apatzingan, which is the heart of the whole region and, as we all know, of vital importance for the criminal organisation," said Mr Mora."We need to enter Apatzingan, which is the heart of the whole region and, as we all know, of vital importance for the criminal organisation," said Mr Mora.
"There can't be any further delay, as that would put under risk the lives of so many people who are supporting our movement," he added."There can't be any further delay, as that would put under risk the lives of so many people who are supporting our movement," he added.
On Thursday, Mexican police found a mass grave with some 20 bodies in the town of Tinguindin.
Hours earlier, four severed bodies in plastic bags were found in the nearby village of Zacan, also in Michoacan. They were left outside the local church, accompanied by a threatening note.
A spokesman for the vigilante groups said the killings were probably a revenge attack carried out by the drug cartel.
The Knights Templar cartel has accused the vigilantes of working as a proxy army for the New Generation cartel, from neighbouring Jalisco state.The Knights Templar cartel has accused the vigilantes of working as a proxy army for the New Generation cartel, from neighbouring Jalisco state.
The two rival organisations have been fighting a turf war for control of criminal activities in Michoacan and Jalisco.The two rival organisations have been fighting a turf war for control of criminal activities in Michoacan and Jalisco.
The vigilantes have fiercely denied any involvement with the New Generation cartel. But the vigilantes have fiercely denied any involvement with the New Generation cartel.
They say they have taken matters into their own hands as the Mexican government has failed to guarantee the security of their families.They say they have taken matters into their own hands as the Mexican government has failed to guarantee the security of their families.
More than 70,000 people have died in drug related violence across Mexico in the past six years.
On Thursday, police found a mass grave with some 20 bodies in the Michoacan town of Tinguindin.
Hours earlier, four severed bodies in plastic bags were found in the nearby village of Zacan. They were left outside the local church, accompanied by a threatening note.
A spokesman for the vigilante groups said the killings were probably a revenge attack carried out by the Knights Templar.