The Aftermath of Alfredo Castillo's Reign As Michoacán Security Commissioner (August 19, 2015)

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Alfredo Castillo: head of the security commission that was tasked with destroying the legitimate factions of the autodefensa movement. Photo via CNN (January 2015)

Ricardo Lezama --- In January 2014, Alfredo Castillo entered Michoacán under the orders of President Enrique Peña Nieto, and was assigned the position of Security Commissioner. His task was to 'stabilize' the region, but he actually bolstered the position of known narcotrafickers. Furtheremore, Mexican army and marine units were sent to disarm legitimate autodefensa strongholds, and enabled organized crime to restore their old business model.

IA. Autodefensas Restored Order That Was Bad For Business

In many regions, prior to Castillo's arrival, autodefensa groups had successfully contained the most nefarious elements of the Caballeros Templarios, establishing order, rule of law, an peace unseen since 2010. Castillo selectively promoted former and active members of the Caballeros Templarios. Elements like Adalberto Fructoso were groomed for leadership postions in Aguililla's newly created rural police force despite the claims of prominent autodefensa activists, including Jorge Vázquez Valencia.

Turmoil and corruption marked his 1 year tenure. As security commissioner, Castillo had the resources and intelligence necessary to address security problems plaguing Michoacan's population. However, many Michoacanos still remember when Castillo was linked to large scale theft of iron ore. Autodefensa organizer, Jorge Vázquez Valencia reported the issue to federal authorities, but recevied no help.

Even the left leaning 'Arisegui Noticias' would not take a stance on the matter. Presumably, they remained silent due to the fact that the evidence against Castillo's deputies was incontrovertible, the group would place itself squarely against the powerful Michoacán government.

IB. Alfredo Castillo Uses Environmental Agency To Transport Stolen Iron Ore

For the past 2 years, autodefensas have been tasked with the security of the regions' natural resources by land owners. In 2010, when the Caballeros Templarios were much more powerful, mining operations and avocado growers were especially vulnerable to extortion and theft. The removal of the autodefensas by the Michoacán and federal government restored those racketeering operations.


Autodefensas: Iron theft investigations implicated Michoacan's Security Commissioner, Alfredo Castillo. (September 04, 2014)

One notable case involved the theft of iron ore from an autodefensa protected mine owner in Aguililla. Autodefensa Jorge Vázquez Valencia notes 50 trucks moved iron ore from these privately owned mines in Aguililla to the port city of Lazaro Cardenas. Official documentation signed by Profepa, the state environmental protection agency, sanctioned the transport of the stolen iron ore.

When Vázquez notified the state agency of the large theft they were permitting, the state agency referred him to the New World Mining Corporation. The document cited the group as the recipient of the iron ore.

Jorge Vázquez would later be surprised to find that the New Mining Corporation was forced to store Profepa's iron ore due to disputes with the environmental agency. An employee of the New Mining Corporation confirmed that Alfredo Castillo was involved in arranging the iron ore's storage at their Lazaro Cardenas site. They had acquiesced his demands to store the material to gain his favor and avoid the closure of their site. Vazquez would later confirm with Fructoso that both he and Castillo were colluding to transport and sell the iron ore.

In January 2015, Castillo left, but not only was he successful in arresting many legitimate autodefensas, he also manage to restore the old rackets left behind by the Templarios. Removing legitimate autodefensas, colluding with known criminals like Fructoso, and aiding other Templarios in La Ruana restored normal cartel operations. One is left to wonder whether that was the intention of the presidency all along when appointing Castillo as securitio commisioner.

Today, most of the 32 municipalities that participated in the 2013 autodefensa uprisings against the Caballeros Templarios have to deal with new fragmented cartels and larger national syndicates. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel and its allies, H3 and Viagras cartel dispute these territories with the Sinaloa Cartel, Templarios and the Zetas. The groups continue fighting over territory and trafficking routes to the port city of Lazaro Cardenas, the site in which José Manuel Mireles, spokersperson for the autodefensas, was arrested by Mexican marines.

While a normal business climate for cartels has been restored, the autodefensas and community police throughout Mexico continue to be under attack. In late July, a prominent autodefensa organizer, Semei Verdai, was arrested by the Mexican army. The same soldiers also opened fire on several children, injuring one and killing a 12 year old boy, Idilberto Reyes García, in Ostula, Michoacán.

Castillo has left Michoacán behind, but his old rackets and henchmen have been met with violence too. Adalberto Fructoso was recently attacked by men presumed to be making good on the Caballeros Templarios' promise to eliminate traitors. Michoacan is currently in dispute between, at least, 3 factions of narcotraffickers: those aligned with the Sinaloa Cartel, those aligned with the New Generation Cartel of Jalisco, and the Zetas. There are also independent factions, but it appears that Fructoso switched from Templario to Jalisco cartel. The effects of Castillo's reign are clear: chaos for the population and business opportunities for organized crime.


VIDEO: On late June of this year in Aguililla, Michoacán, a group of heavily armed men attacked a convoy transporting the ex-mayor of the city, Adalberto Fructoso Comparan Rodriguez. In this video, Jorge Vázquez Valencia make it clear that Fructoso was never a legitimate autodefensa, that he was a pardoned member of the Caballeros Templarios who was later promoted into a new post by Alfredo Castillo, a security commisioner appointe by the federal government to monitor and destroy legitimate autodefensa groups. Vázquez also comments on the rumor of 'El Chayo', a former Knights Templar operative, being alive. If true, this would be the 2nd time 'El Chayo' fakes his death.