A deadly confrontation erupted in Texcaltitlán, a small agricultural community in central Mexico, leading to the deaths of 14 people.
The violent incident, which took place on Friday, December 8, involved a notorious drug cartel and local residents.
The clash was between gunmen from the Familia Michoacana drug cartel and the villagers. Amongst the deceased were Rigoberto de la Sancha Santillán, also known as “El Payaso” (“The Clown”), the leader of the cartel, 10 of his associates, and four local residents. The villagers, equipped with hunting rifles and sickles, were seen in a dramatic video on social media chasing down gang members and firing their rifles.
Prior to the clash, Familia Michoacana gunmen had reportedly demanded extortion payments from local farmers, a tactic commonly employed by drug cartels in Mexico. These criminal organizations resort to violence and intimidation against those who refuse to comply with their demands.
The bloodshed has been attributed to the Familia Michoacana’s long-standing dominance in the area and its history of violence, including brazen ambushes of police and the massacre of 20 townspeople in Totolapan, Guerrero state in 2022.
The incident in Texcaltitlán has sparked a political debate ahead of Mexico’s presidential election in June. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador linked the violence to drug use and government’s neglect of youth in the past. In contrast, presidential candidate Xóchitl Gálvez criticized López Obrador’s security strategy, arguing it leaves rural communities vulnerable.
“El Payaso,” originally a hitman for the Familia Michoacana in Morelos, rose to become a cartel leader in several municipalities in Mexico. His criminal activities included orchestrating an ambush in 2021 that resulted in the deaths of 13 state agents. Following the death of his superior, Medardo Hernández, known as “Lalo Mantecas,” in June 2022, De la Sancha assumed control of the cartel’s operations in the southern region of the state.
The Familia Michoacana, under “El Payaso,” has been involved in various criminal activities, including kidnappings, extortions, and attacks on public officials and security forces. This cartel has exerted its influence through intimidation and violence.
State Governor Delfina Gómez, along with other officials, condemned the violence, reiterating their commitment to improving security conditions and assuring locals of their support.
