Mexican villagers under cartel siege fight back with AK-47s and grenades
Civilians under siege by Mexican cartel fight back with AK-47s, grenades
In Guerrero, Mexico, a vigilante group of 50 men, armed with military-grade weapons smuggled from the U.S., defends their communities against the La Nueva Familia Michoacana cartel. Formed in 2020 and rearmed in October, they patrol with drones and AK-47s, while residents flee, leaving ghost towns. The group's leader says the government's efforts are 'nothing but propaganda,' and experts warn of escalating violence after the killing of cartel leader 'El Mencho'.
These mountains are a place of silence. You have no voice, and no one hears you.
- tejohnso
So you're forced to join a gang and fight their rival gangs, or you form your own gang equipped with rifles and grenades ready to commit violence, so that you can fight against joining that gang, or any other gang. Either way you're in a violent gang.
I guess I'd rather have the state maintain a monopoly on violence.
- MrDrMcCoy
The article said they got their arms smuggled in from the US, but that only explains the small arms and drones. Where are they getting hand grenades?
- int0x29
These self defense groups sound great until you think about all the problems with vigilante groups. Also they have a history of turning into cartels.
That and all things being equal I suspect most of the people in these groups would rather not be fighting.
- aucisson_masque
Mexico has been like that for decades, I believe it's top 1 priority for most Mexicans yet it's still not fixed. What gives ?
At some point when your government is so corrupt, you got to take weapon and organize yourself. It's sad.
- hereme888
About 30% of Mexico is gang-controlled