Authorities Regain Control of Chilapa

Over 1,200 federal and state personnel intervene to facilitate the return of residents; conflict linked to the turf war between Los Ardillos and Los Tlacos: García Harfuch

Federal and state authorities have regained control of the Chilapa, Guerrero area following several days of road blockades, armed clashes, and the displacement of indigenous families—all triggered by the dispute between the criminal groups Los Ardillos and Los Tlacos in the *Montaña Baja* (Lower Mountain) region.

The operation involved the deployment of more than 1,300 security personnel: 690 members of the Mexican Army with 80 vehicles; 400 members of the National Guard in 50 units; and 200 state police officers in 34 patrol cars, in addition to five helicopters, ambulances, and medical personnel from various agencies.

The Detail: The bodies of four men bearing signs of torture were discovered on the Chilapa-Tlapa federal highway on Monday, while the body of another man with gunshot wounds was found yesterday morning.

The Ministry of the Interior reported that, following the re-establishment of dialogue with the conflicting groups, local residents allowed state and federal forces to enter the Chilapa community corridor, where highways and secondary roads had previously remained blocked.

In the communities of Alcozacán and Coatzingo, assistance was provided to families displaced by the attacks recorded in the area. According to authorities, medical care, food, and security were provided to the affected individuals.

120 people decided to remain in their communities

According to the federal government, approximately 120 displaced residents expressed their decision to remain in their communities rather than be relocated to shelters; consequently, they were provided with sleeping mats, blankets, power generators, and basic supplies.

Furthermore, as of yesterday afternoon, six injured individuals had been reported; these individuals received medical attention at IMSS-Bienestar hospitals.

6 injured individuals receive medical care at the IMSS

Electricity service was also restored by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), enabling the recovery of telephone and Internet services in the affected zone. Additionally, the Chilapa de Álvarez–José Joaquín de Herrera state highway and other roads—which had remained blocked for several days—were cleared and reopened.

The Ministry of the Interior (Segob) detailed that officials were deployed to the conflict zone. To this end, the Ministry’s head, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, presided over the establishment of a Command Center in Chilpancingo to coordinate operations alongside Governor Evelyn Salgado and the Undersecretary of Government, Francisco Rodríguez.

As part of these efforts, the Undersecretary of the Interior, César Yáñez, engaged in dialogue with the leaders of the conflicting groups, urging them to peacefully end their disputes and lift the blockades to allow for the entry of the Armed Forces and to facilitate both the restoration of order and the provision of care to the injured.

According to local reports, the criminal group known as “Los Ardillos” allegedly attacked communities such as Tula, Xicotlán, and Acahuehuetlán using high-powered weapons—and even explosive-laden drones—triggering the mass displacement of Indigenous Nahua families toward nearby localities such as Alcozacán.

CRISIS EXPLAINED. Earlier, the head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Omar García Harfuch, confirmed that the conflict is linked to the dispute between Los Ardillos and Los Tlacos—groups that have laid siege to at least three villages in the region and have set up roadblocks at various locations.

During the morning press conference at the National Palace, he explained that National Guard personnel had been deployed to “preserve and protect the citizenry,” though he clarified that direct confrontations were avoided so as not to endanger the civilian population.

“Of course, there is no dialogue with them (the criminals), but rather with the community police forces and the representatives of the local populations,” the official stated while detailing the negotiations aimed at facilitating the safe exit of people trapped in the conflict zone.

For her part, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo affirmed that, while action will be taken “with the full force of the law” against those responsible for the violence, the immediate priority is to protect the lives of the population and prevent an armed confrontation that could result in further civilian casualties.

“The crucial objective here is to facilitate an exit without a confrontation. Someone might say: ‘Let the Army come in and disarm the people who are there.’ Yes—but that would entail a confrontation in which civilians could lose their lives, or indeed, a very grave clash could ensue,” the Mayor maintained.

Command Center Established in Chilpancingo

A Command Center has been established in Chilpancingo, headed by Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda and the Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez.

Also participating in the coordination efforts are the Undersecretary of the Interior, military and naval commanders, representatives of the National Guard, the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), and state security authorities.

This new escalation of violence is attributed to the dispute between criminal organizations and community groups in the region. According to local reports, the criminal group “Los Ardillos” reportedly attacked communities such as Tula, Xicotlán, and Acahuehuetlán using high-powered weapons—and even explosive-laden drones—triggering the mass displacement of Indigenous Nahua families to nearby localities such as Alcozacán.

Source: La Razón