By Natalia Rueda 
The state of Michoacán, located in western Mexico, has for many years been a red hotspot in the national landscape due to the high rate of violence and criminality, largely driven by the presence of multiple drug cartels and criminal groups. Organized crime in this region has evolved and diversified its activities, profoundly impacting the lives of its inhabitants and the stability of the local government.
Homicides do not stop
A man lost his life in a violent manner outside a car supply store last Wednesday. The neighborhood of Francisco J. Mújica in Michoacán is in mourning for this tragic event which is a sign of the serious security crisis in the area.
The victim, a man whose identity is still unknown, but it is estimated that he was between 30 and 35 years old, was attacked upon his arrival at the spare parts store. Witnesses reported that the assailants arrived suddenly and began shooting without giving the man time to react. After committing the crime, the gunmen quickly fled, disappearing into the streets of the neighborhood.
The Michoacán Prosecutor’s Office is already investigating the case and trying to identify the victim. Unfortunately, this event highlights the serious problem of impunity affecting the area, as the perpetrators managed to escape without consequences.
Michoacan a battleground for drug cartels
Drug cartels, such as the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation (CJNG), have established their presence in Michoacan, not only controlling drug trafficking, but also exerting considerable dominance over other illegal economic sectors such as extortion, kidnapping, among other crimes. These groups not only seek territorial control to safeguard and transport drugs, but have also infiltrated Michoacán’s political and economic life, confronting security forces and each other for control of key routes and plazas.
The Michoacan government has faced multiple challenges in combating organized crime. Local police have been accused of corruption and links to cartels, leading to a lack of public confidence in law enforcement.
One of the most significant phenomena in Michoacán has been the formation of self-defense groups, groups of armed citizens who decided to take justice into their own hands in the face of the government’s inability to protect them. While some of these self-defense groups arose genuinely from community defense needs, others have been infiltrated or co-opted by the very criminal groups they claimed to fight, further complicating the situation of insecurity and lack of control.
The social impact of organized crime in Michoacán is profound, affecting the quality of life, the economy and the social fabric. The violence has displaced entire families, caused the closure of businesses and sowed fear and distrust among the population.