Vigilante groups in the state of Michoacán have taken over the city of Apatzingan, considered for years as the bastion of Knights Templar activities. The group also captured Antonio Magaña Panto, alias “El Tony”, cousin of Enrique “Kike” Plancarte and half-brother of Nazario “El Chayo” Moreno, founders of the Knights Templar cartel. The vigilante group recognized the significance of capturing the city, however, they have emphasized that they are not going to stop their advance.
Vigilante leader and spokesperson Estanislao Beltrán has revealed that Apatzingan was only one of several targets selected by the group. "Our main objective was to clean out the 113 municiplaities of the state. We wil not return to work, because we have not captured any of the leaders of the Knights Templar Cartel, and they will reorganize themselves. We cannot take even one step back," he said. Beltrán spoke of a new strategy undertaken by the vigilante groups in their efforts.
"They have control of the operation, that's what we agree upon. We are made up of a mixture of federal, military and state police. This is an ew strategy, we shall see up til what point it remains secure," Beltrán continued. "This is the first time that we are acting in co-ordination with the govern: before they supported us, but now we will be in this together, but we need results, the people demand results." The groups entry into Apatzingán was indeed supported by federal troops.
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