Published at 11:25 am EST, August 16, 2013
In a coordinated operation, elements of the Navy, Army and Attorney General of Michoacan on Wednesday attacked 45 local guards from the Township Community of Aquila, Michoacán.
Residents had remained to hold-up in the main square of the town with 65 members of the Army, although according to the governor, Jesus Reyna, the military is there “by choice” and “safeguarding the population”.
Villagers also assured reporters that they are also holding two military trucks.
The locals have been warned that obstructing traffic, detaining of soldiers and trucks and all the weapons would not be tolerated.
The military police burst in Aquila, in which participated the regional deputy Morelia and office manager of the PGJE, Marco Vinicio Aguilera Garibay, the officers seized rifles AR-15, AK-47 rifles, 9 mm pistols, guns. 38 super, .12 mm rifles and shotguns.
According to the agency the raid involved more than 2000 members of the Ministerial Police, Special Operations Group, the Mexican Army and Navy, which arrived in the town and surprised the self-appointed community guards which offered resistance.
Among those arrested was Agustin Villanueva, who is credited with the establishment of Community Police in Aquila and on whom there is a warrant, as said at the time the Secretary of Government, Fernando Cano.
Finding himself surrounded, the community leader and three other men who accompanied him fired on the soldiers.
That led to a firefight that lasted for about 20 minutes, with no reported fatalities or injured.
The situation in the coastal area is tense, as there are several roadblocks La Placita-Coalcomán Morelos Acalpican Manzanillo, known as “Coastal Highway, which connects the coast of Michoacan and Colima.
In the aftermath, Governor Jesus Reyna Garcia confirmed that 45 people were arrested in the operation conducted in Aquila, five of whom had arrest warrants and the rest were people who were found in possession of firearms that are for the exclusive use of the Army and guns they had stolen from the municipal police weeks ago.
At a press conference, the Chief Executive said that is not subject to negotiation the release of these people despite the releases and events that have made their families in Aquila.
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Read more in Spanish at Blog del Narco
Reyna Garcia said the municipal order was restored and that the community can return to normal, after a group of villagers had to move out of town.
Residents had remained to hold-up in the main square of the town with 65 members of the Army, although according to the governor, Jesus Reyna, the military is there “by choice” and “safeguarding the population”.
Villagers also assured reporters that they are also holding two military trucks.
The locals have been warned that obstructing traffic, detaining of soldiers and trucks and all the weapons would not be tolerated.
The military police burst in Aquila, in which participated the regional deputy Morelia and office manager of the PGJE, Marco Vinicio Aguilera Garibay, the officers seized rifles AR-15, AK-47 rifles, 9 mm pistols, guns. 38 super, .12 mm rifles and shotguns.
According to the agency the raid involved more than 2000 members of the Ministerial Police, Special Operations Group, the Mexican Army and Navy, which arrived in the town and surprised the self-appointed community guards which offered resistance.
Among those arrested was Agustin Villanueva, who is credited with the establishment of Community Police in Aquila and on whom there is a warrant, as said at the time the Secretary of Government, Fernando Cano.
Finding himself surrounded, the community leader and three other men who accompanied him fired on the soldiers.
That led to a firefight that lasted for about 20 minutes, with no reported fatalities or injured.
The situation in the coastal area is tense, as there are several roadblocks La Placita-Coalcomán Morelos Acalpican Manzanillo, known as “Coastal Highway, which connects the coast of Michoacan and Colima.
In the aftermath, Governor Jesus Reyna Garcia confirmed that 45 people were arrested in the operation conducted in Aquila, five of whom had arrest warrants and the rest were people who were found in possession of firearms that are for the exclusive use of the Army and guns they had stolen from the municipal police weeks ago.
At a press conference, the Chief Executive said that is not subject to negotiation the release of these people despite the releases and events that have made their families in Aquila.
Read more Narco News Here
Read more in Spanish at Blog del Narco
Reyna Garcia said the municipal order was restored and that the community can return to normal, after a group of villagers had to move out of town.
