Michoacan 'Self-Defense' Group Demands Government Free Prisoners by May 10 Tracy Wilkinson - The Los Angeles Times
go to original April 12, 2014

Jose Manuel Mireles, a leader of a "self-defense" group in Mexico's Michoacan state, waves during a February march to celebrate the anniversary of the groups of civilians who say they took up arms to fight the drug cartels. (Hector Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images)

MEXICO CITY - A top leader of a vigilante "self-defense" group in the western state of Michoacan on Friday gave the Mexican government an ultimatum: free captured members of the movement by May 10 or expect all hell to break loose.

Jose Manuel Mireles said if members are not freed by the deadline, his organization will block towns and roads throughout the state just west of Mexico City. He also reiterated his refusal to obey government orders to lay down weapons.

There may be as many as 100 members in detention, as the government has sought to slowly dismantle the disparate organizations, Mireles said. Protests have included burning public vehicles and tearing down property.

May 10 was initially presented by President Enrique Peña Nieto’s government as the date by which the “self-defense” groups of armed civilians should hand in their guns. Mireles indicated Friday he had turned the tables on the government, in a meeting Thursday, saying there would be no disarmament without the release of prisoners.

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