HomeNewsBriefMichoacan’s ‘New Cartel’ Bolsters Vigilante Criminalization Fears
BRIEF

Michoacan’s ‘New Cartel’ Bolsters Vigilante Criminalization Fears

JALISCO CARTEL / 6 MAY 2014 BY CHARLES PARKINSON EN

Reports that a new cartel made up of disparate criminal elements and vigilantes is intent on dominating Michoacan appear to validate fears of Mexico's self-defense forces criminalizing, as well as demonstrating the fluid nature of criminal associations.

According to Excelsior, the group known as "La Tercera Hermandad" (The Third Brotherhood), or "H3," includes elements of rival criminal groups the Jalisco Cartel - New Generation (CJNG) and the Knights Templar, as well as leaders and members from some of the region's self-defense forces.

Among the group's leaders (click on Excelsior's organigram to enlarge) appear self-defense force leader Miguel Angel Gallegos, alias "El Migueladas" and fugitive Knights Templar boss Servando Gomez, alias "La Tuta." The group's second tier includes leaders of a criminal group known as "Los Viagras" and another vigilante commander, Luis Antonio Torres Gonzalez, alias "El Americano."

The investigation by Excelsior builds on previous reports regarding H3, with local citizen media denouncing the group in March. Excelsior also connects some dots, stating that Gallegos was previously an ally of recently killed Knights leader Enrique "Kike" Plancarte, until a dispute and split in late 2012 that allegedly provoked Gallegos to start a vigilante group in La Huacana, central Michoacan.

In another indication of these ties, a report from Proceso into the infiltration of self-defense groups by criminal elements refers to Gallego as "the true leader of the Templars."

vigilanteorganigram

InSight Crime Analysis

While accusations of former Knights joining the self-defense groups are nothing new, the association of cartel leaders and vigilante commanders under the same umbrella appears to validate fears expressed over the past year about the criminalization of the civilian militias that have sprung up across Michoacan (click on Excelsior's map to enlarge).

SEE ALSO: Mexico's Security Dilemma: Michoacan's Militias

vigilantemapBased on the previous criminal ties of Gallego, it also appears this is not merely a case of certain preexisting vigilante groups criminalizing to fill an underworld vacuum, but has in fact been in the works since before the emergence of the militias.

The monicker H3 has previously been reported as a new name for the militia in Buenavista Tomatlan, led by El Americano. Excelsior says security documents show that H3 is working to replace the weakened Knights Templar and dominate the state's illicit incomes. If the organization also encompasses various vigilante groups, this would indicate criminalization by these militias -- the supposed champions against the Knights -- was indeed premeditated.

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

ELITES AND CRIME / 30 SEP 2021

Evidence and accusations are piling up against Mexico's former top security official Genaro García Luna, as US prosecutors proffer new…

HUMAN RIGHTS / 29 JUN 2022

As many as 50 migrants have been found dead inside a truck 150 miles north of the US-Mexico border.

COCAINE / 8 NOV 2021

Cocaine, synthetic drugs, weapons, migrants, gasoline - this range of criminal economies has seen violence escalate in Mexico's northern state…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

All Eyes on Ecuador

2 JUN 2023

Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…

WORK WITH US

Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist

27 MAY 2023

InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.