(Vatican Radio) The vigilantes of Mexico's western state of Michocan have taken the
main stronghold of the dominant regional drug cartel.
Backed by armoured cars,
the Mexican Army, and Federal Police; and cloaked in the official status of being
part of a military defence force, the vigilantes swept into the town of Aptzingan
unopposed, without a shot fired. It was quite a contrast to January 11 when they
briefly occupied the town’s main plaza following running gun battles with the Knights
Templar drug cartel.
The vigilantes have already established a network of
road blocks and are searching the streets and houses for their enemies. State officials
confirm them as the local authority.
The vigilantes deny the Knights Templar
claim that they're allied with the New Generation drug cartel, which is a regional
rival.
In the last several days a mass grave has been uncovered in the town
of Tinguindin. The vigilantes claim this is the result of a Knights Templar massacre.
The State of Michocan remains highly unstable and far from peace.