Operation Michoacán

The drug war in Michoacán began in the 1990s when the Milenio Cartel and the Amezcua Cartel started selling crystal methamphetamine imported from Colombia through alliances with the Medellín Cartel and the Cali Cartel. Subsequently, lieutenants from the Milenio Cartel defected to the Gulf Cartel, another major distributor of Colombian drugs in Mexico. As the drug trade expanded in Michoacán, the Gulf Cartel authorized a new enforcer group called Los Zetas in 2003. The Zetas and Gulf cartels formed alliances with a vigilante group known as La Familia Michoacana. This collaboration led to various drug-related crimes in Michoacán, including a 2004 prison break in Apatzingán to free members of the Gulf and Zetas cartels. After the arrest of Carlos Rosales Mendoza for his involvement in the prison raid, Nazario Moreno assumed leadership of La Familia and initiated a turf war against rival cartels in Michoacán, marking the onset of the drug war. Following a plan initiated by his predecessor Vicente Fox, President Felipe Calderón deployed 4,000 troops to Michoacán on December 12 to combat the escalating drug-related violence that had claimed over 500 lives. The military conducted operations targeting areas controlled by organized crime, carrying out raids, arrests, and establishing control points on highways and secondary roads.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6170981.stm BBC NEWS | Americas | Mexico troops sent to fight drugs] On May 8, 2007, in Apatzingan, Michoacán, soldiers from the 51st Infantry Battalion engaged drug traffickers, resulting in the death of 4 cartel gunmen and injuries to 3 soldiers.[http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/64618.html Vuelve terror a Michoacán: mueren 4 narcos en balacera - El Universal - Los Estados]

• In May 2009, federal officers detained 10 mayors of Michoacán and 20 other local officials suspected of being associated with the cartel[https://web.archive.org/web/20090612082505/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-michoacan-drugs31-2009may31,0,3065365,full.story MEXICO UNDER SIEGE: Mexico drug traffickers corrupt politics - latimes.com]

Image:Detenciones Michoacán.jpg]]

Image:PFP Michoacán.jpg

• On July 11, The Federal Police trapped and arrested one of three of La Familia leaders. Arnoldo Rueda Medina a.k.a. La Minsa is one of three cartel lieutenants was captured in Morelia, Michoacán.{{Cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169640.html |title=Atrapan a operador de alto nivel - El Universal - México |access-date=2009-08-01 |archive-date=2012-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004213132/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169640.html |url-status=dead }} On the same day as a response to the capture of Arnoldo Rueda, La Familia launched the biggest attacks in the history of organized crime against Federal Police and Military installations in 8 cities in the western part of Mexico. Even attacking the Federal Police building where Arnoldo was held in. Cartel hitmen were reported using fragmentation grenades, AK-47's and AR-15's in. Three Federal Police officers, two soldiers were reported killed and 18 wounded.{{Cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169639.html |title=Inédita narcoembestida - El Universal - México |access-date=2009-08-01 |archive-date=2012-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004213212/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169639.html |url-status=dead }}[http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/07/11/mexico.attack/index.html?iref=mpstoryview Mexican police, soldiers killed in multicity attacks by drug gang - CNN.com]
• On July 14, the bodies of 12 Federal Police officers that were investigating criminal activity in the area were found murdered and abandoned along a highway between Lázaro Cárdenas and Morelia{{Cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169683.html |title=Hallan 12 cadáveres en Michoacán - El Universal - México |access-date=2009-08-01 |archive-date=2015-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415103816/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169683.html |url-status=dead }}

• On July 17, as a response to the violence, the federal government stepped up a plan to "surround" Michoacán by sea, air and land. The government sent 5,500 soldiers and federal police officers, also arriving were fully armed helicopters and vehicles to reinforce the 7,000 government forces already deployed in the state. Furthermore, 25 bases will be deployed for mobile operations on freeways and highways of the first order, which brings to Michoacán in adjacent areas of the states of Guanajuato, Guerrero, Colima, and Jalisco, where troops are participating in the various areas adjacent to the 12th Military Region. The government is considering building 67 mobile bases of operation, nine of joint operations by personnel of the Army and Federal Police, strengthening air support aircraft both fixed wing and rotary wing.{{Cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169779.html |title=Michoacán, sitiado por aire, mar y tierra - El Universal - México |access-date=2009-08-01 |archive-date=2014-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905143648/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169779.html |url-status=dead }}

Image:Marina Michoacán.jpg corvettes will patrol the Michoacán coast line.]]

• On July 21, The army completed the reinforcement of "Joint Operation Michoacán" with 2,500 troops to assist the deployed 1,000 troops already in the state. Also the Secretariat of the Navy announced that the navy launched sea, air, and land surveillance operations at the coast and also sent 1,500 marines.{{Cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169878.html |title=Ejército envía otros 2 mil 500 soldados - El Universal - México |access-date=2009-08-01 |archive-date=2012-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004213435/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/169878.html |url-status=dead }}
• On July 30, The Federal Police arrested "La Familia's" financial operator Armando Quintero Guerra a.k.a. "El Licenciado"(The Bachelor) and the cartels alleged leader Servando "La Tuta" Gomez girlfriend Lourdes Medina Hernández in Uruapan. The PFP also captured another financial operator of Nazario Moreno González a.k.a. "El Chayo".{{Cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/170219.html |title=Caen contador y novia de "La Tuta" - El Universal - México |access-date=2009-08-01 |archive-date=2014-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204429/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/170219.html |url-status=dead }}

• On July 30, SEDENA has reported that 6 cartel gunmen were killed in a confrontation with troops in the town of Guayameo in the municipality of Zirándaro. Soldiers from the 21st military zone were "attacked with firearms inside a home, so they proceeded to repel aggression." military officials said.{{Cite web |url=http://mx.news.yahoo.com/s/30072009/38/n-mexico-mueren-seis-presuntos-sicarios-choque.html |title=Yahoo! Noticias México - Los titulares de hoy |access-date=2009-08-01 |archive-date=2009-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803053202/http://mx.news.yahoo.com/s/30072009/38/n-mexico-mueren-seis-presuntos-sicarios-choque.html |url-status=dead }}
• On August 15, Federal Police forces captured a boss of La Familia, along with other 7 lieutenants. Héctor Manuel Oyarzabal Hernández a.k.a. "El Héctor" was in charge of the municipalities of Ixtapaluca, Chalco, Valle de Chalco and Ozumba in the State of Mexico. The operation succeeded without a shot being fired.{{Cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/619566.html |title=Capturan a jefe de 'La Familia Michoacana' - El Universal - Sociedad |access-date=2009-08-16 |archive-date=2014-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219004730/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/619566.html |url-status=dead }}
• On August 25, Federal Police forces captured Manuel Alejandro Sotelo Barrera a.k.a. "El Bolucho". He is supposed leader of La Familia's Leon, Guanajuato chapter and nephew of Servando Gómez a.k.a. "La Tuta".{{Cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/170887.html |title=Cae otro sobrino de "La Tuta" - El Universal - México |access-date=2009-08-26 |archive-date=2012-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005061430/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/170887.html |url-status=dead }} On the same day the military captured Luis Ricardo Magaña Mendoza a.k.a. "El 19 y medio" (19 and a half) another leader of the cartel and five other cartel members in Manzanillo, Colima.{{Cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/primera/33518.html |title=Cae otro líder de "La Familia" - El Universal - Primera |access-date=2009-08-26 |archive-date=2012-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005061438/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/primera/33518.html |url-status=dead }}

• January 8 – during a routine patrol, troops were attacked by gunmen in a pickup vehicle, provoking a gunfight that lasted for various minutes in Michoacán. Four gunmen and one soldier were killed.[http://elsiglodedurango.com.mx/noticia/247480.sicarios-atacan-a-militares-en-michoacan.html Sicarios atacan a militares en Michoacán - El Siglo de Durango]
• January 30 – Five Federal Police officers were ambushed by gunmen while traveling on the Highway Occidente; seven federal officers were reported injured. The government scrambled federal helicopters, troops, and state police to find the ones responsible.[http://www.reforma.com/nacional/articulo/538/1075483/ grupo reforma]
• April 24 – A three vehicle convoy carrying the Public Safety Secretary was attacked by gunmen which left two bodyguards and two bystanders dead. Hours later a police station in Morelia was attacked by grenades. The explosion damaged three vehicles.{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100424/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_drug_war_mexico |title=Mexico security official's convoy ambushed, 4 dead - Yahoo! News |website=news.yahoo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425065319/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100424/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_drug_war_mexico |archive-date=2010-04-25}}
• June 14 – Ten Federal Police officers were ambushed and killed while several others were injured during a firefight in Zitácuaro. The Federal Police managed to kill and injure the gunmen who are presumed to be part of La Familia Michoacana cartel. Immediately after the gunfight, army air and land units were dispatched to secure the area.[http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/687567.html Matan a 10 policías federales en Michoacán - El Universal - Sociedad]
• June 16 – After the June 14 ambush attack on Federal Police officers, the Mexican Army doubled patrols in the rural areas of Zitácuaro.[http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/687848.html Ejército 'blinda' Zitácuaro tras emboscada - El Universal - México]
• November 5 – After a suspected drug leader was trapped in Tzurumútaro (a little town located near Morelia), a series of consecutive attacks took place in Morelia. There, attacks consisting of narcobloqueos (narcoblocks, a series of run blocks) with cars on fire, with gunfights between the Federal Police, Mexican Army and gang members.[http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/721580.html Ataques desquician a Michoacán - El Universal - Sociedad]

• February 3 – 4,000 additional Mexican Army troops arrive to the state of Michoacán. Troops were assigned to areas under the control of Knights Templar Cartel.[https://web.archive.org/web/20190908153259/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/official-mexican-army-sends-4000-troops-to-western-state-of-michoacan-after-recent-violence/2012/02/02/gIQAIiEjlQ_story.html "Official: Mexican army sends 4,000 troops to western state of Michoacán after recent violence"] Washington Post

• May 22 - 6,000 Mexican Army troops arrive to the town of La Ruana, Michoacan to assigned raids and patrolling in the town under the control of the Knights Templar Cartel.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/mexican-army-heroes-besieged-michoacan-village/story?id=19238339|title=Residents Cheer as Mexican Army Rolls into Drug War Town|website=ABC News}}

• January 22 - Enrique Plancarte Solís's daughter flees Mexico to her home in Chicago, IL due to posing a selfie on Twitter wearing a nun's costume that resembles the Knight's Templar Cartel coat of arms.
• January 26 - Vigilante group legally joins Federal Police and Army.
• January 27 - Dionisio Loya Plancarte is captured.
• February 2 - Enrique Plancarte Solís's lawyer is captured.
• February 8 - Self-Defense group reclaims Apatzingan. Antonio Plancarte Solís is captured.

• February 27-Servando Gomez Martinez is captured by Federal Police, PGR, and SEIDO agents in Morelia.

• September 6 – a Mexican cartel gang shoots down a helicopter in the western state of Michaocán. The helicopter was shot down in the region of Apatzingán, a city located in Tierra Caliente (Hot Land), a region that has been beset by drug violence and vigilante justice for years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/07/gang-shoots-down-police-helicopter-in-mexico-leaving-four-dead/|title=Gang shoots down police helicopter in Mexico, leaving four dead|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2017-06-12|language=en-GB}}

Operation Michoacán is the first stage of the so-called War Against Drug Trafficking implemented by the federal government of President Felipe Calderón. The joint operation has been questioned about the human rights violations that may have occurred, given the military presence among the civilian population of the state of Michoacán. The chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, José Luis Soberanes, in May 2007, charged that had been at least 53 complaints of human rights violations by the military to the civilian population.[http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2007/05/16/index.php?section=politica&article=003n1pol CNDH: graves abusos de militares en Michoacán - La Jornada]

{{reflist}}

{{coord missing|Michoacán}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Michoacan, Operation}}

Category:2000s in Mexico

Category:2010s in Mexico

Category:History of Michoacán

Category:Battles and operations of the Mexican drug war

Category:Law enforcement operations of the Mexican drug war

Category:La Familia Michoacana