Mexican Militias Fight Against Drug Cartels With Help from U.S. Friends

By Michael Montgomery and Ana Arana

Last year, civilian militias in the western Mexican state of Michoacan rose up to challenge one of the country’s most ruthless drug cartels, the Knights Templar. Since then, the militias have driven the cartel from more than 30 municipalities and forced the resignation of local officials suspected of working for the drug lords.

These efforts to protect citizens from escalating drug violence resonate deeply with Michoacan migrants living in California. Relying on loose cross-border family networks, organizers have quietly raised money from California for vehicles, weapons and other supplies. That support has helped the militias set up checkpoint and command posts, and operations to hunt down cartel leaders.

Movement leader Jose Mireles lived with his wife and kids for almost 10 years in Fresno working for the Red Cross — and used those connections when faced with a dangerous situation after moving back to Michoacan. A few years after the family returned, drug gangs began a campaign of murder and rape, but the police, who were often working for the drug lords, couldn't provide protection. Mireles reached out locally, but also to his friends back in California for help and support.

Given the danger on the ground, Ana Maria Salazar, a security analyst in Mexico City, says it's surprising these self-defense movements didn't happen sooner. As people move back to Mexico, they are shocked by what they see and the inability of the government to control the gangs. "When these people come back, they find this completely warlike situation," she told KQED's Michael Montgomery.

Some people move back to Mexico even after their relatives in Michoacan disappear or are killed. The financial support from the family that remains in the U.S. helps fund their efforts.

Michael Montgomery reports that there is growing tension in Michoacan over demands from Mexico’s federal government for the militias to demobilize by May 10. There have also been disputes within the militias, and allegations linking some local commanders to rival drug gangs.

"These are just a bunch of people who basically armed themselves illegally," said Salazar. "The problem with Dr. Mireles is how much control does he really exercise over these groups."

Things could get worse before they get better.

Listen to Montgomery's full story: