Huitzilac, The Municipality Where Mancilla Cueto Was killed, Is Controlled by La Familia Michoacana and 7 Other Criminal Groups

Alejandro Mancilla Cueto himself had complaints against him for land theft in the state.

In the municipality of Huitzilac, Morelos, where Alejandro Mancilla Cueto, the town clerk, was killed on Tuesday, April 8, eight criminal groups, both local and national, are vying for control of extortion, dispossession, and illegal logging in the area.

Security reports consulted by MILENIO indicate that groups identified as Los Mayas, Los Linos, La Oficina, and, recently, La Familia Michoacana, operate in the area. This is in addition to the local gangs of Los Chichas, Los Panales, La Familia Vara Dávila, and Los Purinas.

Increasing rates of violence in the area

Reports indicate that the activity of these groups has resulted in a significant increase in violence in Huitzilac. Just on January 13, in the midst of the election to renew the Presidency of the Commissariat of Communal Property, five members of one of the participating slates were murdered.

An armed criminal cell arrived at a house where they were gathered around 7:00 p.m. and shot at them.

Furthermore, investigations have detected the infiltration of these organizations into local political processes, raising concerns about security and governance in the municipality. Alejandro Mancilla Cueto himself had been charged with land theft.

According to the information provided, La Familia Michoacana has expanded its influence in Huitzilac, engaging in activities such as extortion, kidnapping, and drug trafficking. Meanwhile, Los Mayas, or Los de Siempre, are led by Abel Maya and are involved in drug dealing and extortion, primarily in the metropolitan area.

Los Linos have a lesser impact but are allied with Los Mayas. And La Oficina, although it has a discreet presence in Huitzilac, has also been deployed in Cuernavaca.

Crimes Linked to Local Gangs

Regarding local gangs, Los Chuchos operate in the Tres Marías area and are primarily involved in kidnapping and robbery with violence along highways.

Similarly, Los Panales and La Familia Vara Dávila operate in Tres Marías, involved in crimes such as kidnapping and robbery.

Los Purinas, along with Los Chuchos, are identified as the main drivers of violence in Huitzilac.

All of these groups are involved in various illicit activities, such as extortion, illegal logging, extortion charges against local merchants and business owners, express kidnapping, vehicle theft along highways, and land grabbing.

Alejandro Mancilla Cueto Case

According to initial reports, the official was heading to city hall, located in the municipal seat of Morelos, when several armed men arrived on motorcycles, got out of their vehicles, and shot him, killing him instantly.

After the attack, the area was sealed off by police and military personnel while they awaited the arrival of the Forensic Medical Service (Semefo).

Source: Milenio