Government Establishes Rules for Legalization of Mexican Self-Defense Groups InSerbia
go to original January 30, 2014

In Mexico, 20,000 vigilantes are joining forces with police and soldiers to combat a drugs cartel. The Knights Templar is being challenged after a government U-turn to welcome help from the self defence groups. Al Jazeera's David Mercer has been seeing the new force in action in the western state of Michoacan. (Al Jazeera English)

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto applauded the agreement reached between his federal government, the Governor of the Michoacán state, and the ‘autodefensas,’ or the self-defense groups that have taken up arms against cartels, that paves the way for the latter’s institutionalization.

The Mexican leader, who is in Cuba attending the CELAC Summit, heard of the news of the agreement and has lent his support to the process. “These groups need to have a channel through which they can become institutionalized,” he said, “but, of course, only when the requirements needed for public confidence have been met.”

The day before, Fausto Vallejo Figueroa, Governor of Michoacán, and Alfredo Castillo, federal security representative for the region, held a press conference to announce the plan along with several of the vigilante leaders.

“This bravery exhibited by the vigilantes is admirable, but there is more needed than idealism and high hopes for change. This is why we are creating this path to professionalism and institutionalization,” Castillo said.

“The municipal and federal authorities will provide the Rural Self-Defense Corps with the necessary tools for their communication, movement and operation,” the statement at the press conference read. The signing was held in Tepalcatepec, a small town on the state border between Michoacán and Jalisco, where the autodefensa movement in the state started in early 2013.

Rules have now been developed for those who wish to join these institutionalized and regulated groups. According to the Mexican Attorney General, individuals would have to pass a series of tests that are medical, physical, psychological, toxicological and knowledge based to qualify.

“This agreement is the first, but crucial, step in furthering the safety, security and development of Michoacán, and enabling the region to return to normalcy,” said Castillo.

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