Mica for cartelinsider.com
Due to the escalation of violence during the last week in the municipality of Taxco de Alarcón, Guerrero, the United States Embassy issued a travel alert for its citizens to avoid visiting the magical town nestled in the conflict zone between two Mexican cartels.
Through its social media, the Embassy has published the “State Department Travel Warning for Guerrero”; this is a level 4 alert with the recommendation to “not travel” to the Mexican state.
Due to recent security incidents, employees of the US government will not be able to travel to Taxco; they are advised to stay tuned to local media for updates; in case of emergency, call 911; review personal security plans and follow instructions from Mexican authorities.
The violence in the magic town intensified during the last week after the murder of a public transportation driver who allegedly refused to continue working as a “hawk” for a criminal group; later, the multiple homicide of a ranching family was reported and the disappearance and death of two officers on January 23rd.
This motivated a strike by transport workers that has now lasted for six days, the cancellation of classes at all educational levels, and dozens of businesses being closed due to the wave of violence generated by the dispute between La Familia Michoacana and Los Tlacos for control of the area.
It all started while the mayor of Taxco, Mario Figueroa, was in Madrid, Spain to participate in a tourism fair; and although he returned – almost immediately – in his first words, he described the violence as “little potholes”.
In addition to what is happening in Taxco de Alarcón, this Friday there was a reported attack by armed civilians on residents of the community of Coacoyulillo, in the Sierra de Chilpancingo, with a preliminary toll of at least six injured individuals, five burned vehicles, and three houses set on fire.
Versions from the residents indicate that around 8:00 pm armed men came down in trucks from the community of Jaleaca and started shooting at the inhabitants and their houses; then they took several vehicles and set them on fire. When the authorities arrived to help the residents, they only found dozens of bullet casings on the streets.
Another violent incident recorded in Guerrero, but in the Campestres neighborhood of Iguala municipality, was shared on social media: it was the murder of a taxi driver during the early hours of Friday, however, after the crime the perpetrators set fire to the vehicle with the driver still inside.
The latest report of violence in Guerrero was released by residents of Buenavista de los Hurtados, the same place where on January 4th, members of La Familia Michoacana attacked residents and alleged members of Los Tlacos in the community belonging to the municipality of Heliodoro Castillo, resulting in nine deaths.
In an interview with Infobae Mexico, Emilio Hurtado, the commissioner of Buenavista de los Hurtados, stated that criminal groups set fire to some hills, they are shooting and flying drones over the homes of residents who were left defenseless after the departure – last week – of the military that were deployed following the massacre earlier this year.
In the midst of all this context of insecurity, the United States Embassy requested its employees “Not to travel to Taxco”, even though violence extends throughout the state of Guerrero.
Thanks for reading!
Mica
Email: mica@cartelinsider.com
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