Mexican gang kidnaps 14 people in revenge attack on villagers

Mexican gangs kidnapped 14 people, including children, to demand the villagers of Texcaltitlan hand over the leaders of the fight against the criminal group.

Tired of being extorted by the notorious Familia Michoacana drug gang, farmers in the village of Texcaltitlan and a neighboring village in the central Mexican state of Mexico on December 8 used machetes and shotguns to chase gang members.

The gang members were dressed in military-style uniforms, some wearing hard hats. Villagers appeared to have burned their bodies and vehicles. Ten gang members, including the leader of the Familia Michoacana in the state of Mexico, and four villagers were killed and seven injured in the confrontation.

A few days after the clash, Familia Michoacana kidnapped 14 people from the village, including four children aged 1 to 4. Among the adults kidnapped were three police officers and one injured resident, Mexico state prosecutors said on December 27.

The scene of the confrontation between villagers and members of the Familia Michoacana gang in the state of Mexico on December 8. Photo: EFE — The scene of the confrontation between villagers and members of the Familia Michoacana gang in the state of Mexico on December 8. Photo: *EFE*

Jose Luis Cervantes, the head of the Mexican state prosecutor's office, said no ransom demands had been received. State officials had previously denied reports that the people had been kidnapped, saying they had simply "disappeared."

However, residents of Texcaltitlan and a nearby village say Familia Michoacana is demanding they hand over the leaders of the December 8 raid in exchange for the kidnapped group.

Local businessmen have long paid “protection money” to the gang, but Familia Michoacana has expanded its extortion to farmers. After a poor harvest this year, farmers tried to negotiate a reduction in protection money on December 7, but to no avail.

Clashes between gangs and villagers of Texcaltitlán on December 8. Photo: X/Carlos Jiménez — Clashes between gangs and villagers of Texcaltitlán on December 8. Photo: *X/Carlos Jiménez*

No villagers were charged in connection with the December 8 clash, Cervantes said, because it was “legitimate self-defense” as farmers were protecting their property. He also determined that gang members opened fire first.

Hundreds of National Guard members have been deployed to the area to protect villagers. Mexico State Governor Delfina Gomez has vowed not to abandon the people.

Drug cartels in Mexico extort money from almost any business, legal or illegal. Sometimes, gangs attack or burn farms or stores if people don't pay up.

Familia Michoacana was responsible for the massacre of 20 people in the town of Totolapan, Guerrero state in 2022. The victims included the town's mayor, his father and 18 men.

Huyen Le (According to Guardian , BBC , El Pais )

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