Mexico: Deadly Shootout Between Rival Factions of La Familia Michoacana Cartel Leaves 8 People Dead

A shootout between competing cells of the La Familia Michoacana cartel left eight people dead in Mexico's Michoacan state on Wednesday.

According to Mexico News Daily, the two factions of the cartel had an armed confrontation in Tuzantla municipality, which is located 170 kilometers southeast of Morelia near the state's border with Mexico state and Guerrero.

The report said among the dead were three minors from the eight presumed criminals killed in the town's main square. According to Deputy Security Minister Ricardo Mejía Berdeja, the clash between the two groups happened after one faction entered the turf of a rival Tuzantla-based cell to carry out an attack.

The attackers, who unleashed a heavy fire in the main square, reportedly arrived in cars, pickup trucks, and motorcycles. The cell based in Tuzantla fired back but was overwhelmed by the other heavily armed invaders.

Mejia said one woman and five men had been arrested in connection with the incident. The two competing cells were reportedly led by criminals identified only as "El Chaparro" (Shorty) and "El Pez" (The Fish).

The dispute seemed to be related to the murder a few weeks ago of another individual only identified by Mejia as "Lalo Mantecas." Mejia noted that drugs, weapons, and four abandoned pickup trucks, one of which was set on fire, were seized after the shootout.

Michoacan Security Minister José Alfredo Reyes Ortega traveled to Tuzantla and announced that they will ramp up the security in the area.

La Familia Michoacana Cartel Turf Fight in Mexico

El Universal reported that the shootout was recorded in the town of La Yerbabueno and extended to the main square of the municipal capital.

The conflict between the two cell factions was reportedly the cause behind the recent turf war. The La Familia Michoacana cartel still engages in drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion.

The group has a history of drug production in areas where mostly poorer farmers grow marijuana and poppy, the raw material for heroin.

The La Familia Michoacana cartel emerged as a self-styled vigilante group, which turned against the Zetas. Its biggest profit maker is methamphetamine, InsightCrime reported.

Hector Garcia, known as "El Player," is believed to currently control the La Familia Michoacana cartel operations.

La Familia Michoacana Among Mexican Drug Cartels in Michoacan, Mexico

As of June 2022, the state of Michoacan is the second state in Mexico, with the largest number of intentional homicides at 1,421.

Michoacan ranks below Guanajuato. The number of intentional homicides in Guanajuato was at 1,566. Baja California ranked third with 1,300 cases, followed by the state of Mexico with 1,265.

Michoacan, the largest avocado producer in the world, is known to be home to several Mexican drug cartels. The Jalisco Cartel, Carteles Unidos, the remaining members of La Familia Michoacana, and the Caballeros Templarios are among the Mexican drug cartels fighting for control of the state.

The Carteles Unidos or United Cartels reportedly had the support of the Sinaloa Cartel. Aside from the avocado growers, Mexican drug cartels have also targeted U.S. personnel working in the state.

It can be recalled that the U.S. government suspended all imports of Mexican avocados last February after an American plant safety inspector carrying out an inspection in Uruapan, Michoacan received a threatening message from a drug cartel.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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