The Catholic Church Calls for Greater Peace Efforts in Michoacan Conflict BBC News
go to original January 16, 2014

Many in Apatzingan fear the town will become the main focus of fighting, as Will Grant reports. (BBCnews)

The Catholic Church in Mexico is urging President Enrique Pena Nieto to make greater efforts to bring peace to the western state of Michoacan.

The BBC has obtained a copy of an open letter to the president and Mexican society signed by Bishop Miguel Patino.

"We want Michoacan to be a state under the rule of law," the bishop said.

Vigilante groups have seized several towns in the area over the past week, as part of an offensive against the Knights Templar drug cartel.

Federal troops were sent to the region on Monday to quell the violence, but the situation remains tense and shows no sign of improving, says the BBC's Will Grant.

Most of the vigilantes have ignored government orders to lay down their weapons.

Read the rest at BBC News

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