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Fresh wave of violence rocks Mexico Michoacan State

Wednesday, 25 March 2015 9:06 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 25 March 2015 9:05 AM ]

Mexico violence

Alasdair Baverstock
Press TV, Zitacuaro

A recent surge in gang violence in the troubled Mexican state of Michoacan has resulted in the death of a vigilante self defense force member in the town of Zitacuaro.

Following the arrest earlier this year of 'La Tuta', the feared boss of the brutal Knights Templar cartel, a power struggle for control of the criminal organization has resulted in multiple civilian deaths.

The residents of Zitacuaro say that gang violence has long been a problem in their town.

The Knights Templar have long controlled much of Michoacan state with an iron fist, and are believed to be involved throughout the state's governmental institutions.

The president of Zitacuaro claims the cartel is going through difficult times, and that the authorities' priority must be to its civilians.

As Michoacan state faces further wave of violence, observers believe the authorities are taking a back seat. The local population still lives in fear of the gang rule that has dominated this region of Mexico for so long.

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