In Mexico, the Spread of Vigilante 'Self-Defense' Groups Sparks Debate Mark Stevenson - Associated Press
go to original February 27, 2013

Mexican vigilantes have accused fugitives of murder, kidnapping and extortion, and have handed over suspected criminals to the federal government. The rise of the vigilante groups from Guerrero state, however, is posing a challenge to government authorities. Al Jazeera's Adam Raney reports from Mexico City. (AlJazeeraEnglish)

The rapid spread of vigilante-style community "self-defense" groups is drawing debate in Mexico after the latest group popped up with suspiciously sophisticated weapons, printed T-shirts and clothing that doesn't reflect the usual mix of participants.

The group appeared this week in Tepalcatepec, in the western state of Michoacan, in an area dominated by warring drug cartels. Tepalcatepec is the latest in a wave of towns where residents have set up patrols and checkpoints since January to fight crimes like kidnapping and extortion.

But the previous self-defense groups were made up mainly of farmers in muddy boots or sandals, armed with a mix of shotguns, single-shot rifles, old pistols and machetes.

... Many Mexicans are concerned that, apart from residents fed up with crime, the "self-defense" patrols could start acting like paramilitary groups or be used by the drug gangs themselves.

"There is a very thin line between these self-defense organizations and paramilitary groups," Raul Plascencia, the head of the country's Human Rights Commission, said earlier this month.

One of the leaders of the new vigilante group, which has already set up highway checkpoints and started questioning passing motorists, said the group was made up of common citizens, exercising their constitutional rights.

Read the whole story at Salon

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!