Cartel Leader Strikes Back, Kills Eight From Rival Gang Stemming From Betrayal

At least eight people are dead following a violent confrontation between two rival groups in Mexico on Aug. 24.

A major gunfight broke out between hitmen of rival groups in Tuzantla in the Mexican state of Michoacan. This started after hitmen reportedly arrived in the town to confront their rivals after their leader was reportedly made to look like a fool.

According to Borderland Beat, there were at least eight people who died from the confrontation. However, it is believed that there are likely more with some bodies removed before authorities arrived at the scene.

Five people were taken into custody as a result of the incident. Local police only had 35 staff on at the time of the armed confrontation.

The leader of the local group known as Chaparro said in an audio clip that leaders of their rival cartel, La Familia Michoacana (LFM), broke their vow not to extort the people of Tuzantla.

He claims that LFM leaders Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga (El Pez) and José Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga (La Fresa) made that promise to him.

"All of this happened because someone didn’t keep their word, and why exactly is this? Well, I had a deal with El Pezcado and La Fresa, but the terms of this deal we agreed upon weren't upheld,” Chaparro stated. "I accepted their deal but I told them to leave me as an independent [cartel leader], like I initially was.”

"I respect all the different groups because they are all cartels and they are fighting each other for their own various reasons,” the cartel leader added. "But not you, Mr Pezcado and Mr Fresa, who gave me your word that my townspeople wouldn’t be extorted.”

Other than that, Chaparro also accused LFM of killing innocent civilians and warned them on how far they wanted to go with their activities.