By Blessing Nweke
Mexican villagers from Texcapilla who killed 10 members of the notorious Familia Michoacana criminal gang will not be facing any charges, as prosecutors ruled they acted in self-defence. The residents had reportedly been enduring constant threats and extortion attempts by the gang, prompting a deadly confrontation.
The deadly clash unfolded on a football pitch where gang members initiated gunfire against the villagers. Unyielding, the locals fought back with an arsenal that included shotguns and machetes, resulting in the death of ten gang members and four villagers, with seven more sustaining injuries.
In the aftermath, Texcapilla residents revealed the extent of the Familia Michoacana’s influence, detailing how the gang had targeted both local businesses and farmers. While businesses were coerced into paying “protection money,” farmers faced demands for a criminal ground rent based on the size of their cultivated fields.
After a failed negotiation attempt following a poor harvest, the gang ordered farmers to gather for a potentially violent confrontation at the football pitch. In a bold move, the farmers decided to stand up to the gang, refusing to pay altogether.
Prosecutors from the state of Mexico determined that the Familia Michoacana initiated the violence, leading the farmers to defend themselves using “the tools of their trade,” such as sickles, machetes, and shotguns. Among the casualties was reportedly the leader of the Familia Michoacana in Mexico state, known as “El Payaso” (Spanish for “the clown”).
While the villagers achieved a temporary victory, fear looms over Texcapilla due to concerns about reprisals. Fourteen villagers, including four children, disappeared in the days following the confrontation, with suspicions that they might have been taken by the Familia Michoacana.
In response, hundreds of National Guard members have been deployed to the area to protect the vulnerable villagers. Governor Delfina Gómez assured residents that officials will not abandon them, stating, “I tell you, you are not alone, we are with you.”
However, the situation remains tense, especially with the reported abduction of one villager from a hospital and the disappearance of nine others, including the four children, during subsequent days. The looming threat has prompted concerns about the emergence of a vigilante force, prompting security officials to emphasize the need to prevent a repeat of such instances in other rural regions of Mexico.
As Texcapilla grapples with the aftermath of the deadly clash and the uncertainty surrounding the missing villagers, the resilience of the community and the efforts of law enforcement will be crucial in ensuring the safety and stability of the region.