Michoacán Attack Linked to Cartel Conflict, Not Terrorism: officials
A recent explosion in Michoacán, initially investigated as a potential act of terrorism, is now believed to be the result of a conflict between rival criminal organizations, according to Mexican authorities. The incident, which targeted the Coahuayana Community Police on december 6, is linked to escalating tensions between cells associated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and United Cartels, seeking to expand their influence in the region.
The Attorney General’s Office of the Republic (FGR) initially considered investigating the explosion as a crime of terrorism, but later shifted its focus to organized crime. This change in direction stems from the lack of any discernible ideological, religious, social, or political motivation behind the attack.
“It is not the first event where explosives are used this year in this area,” a senior official stated. “This is a fight between a group related to the Jalisco Cartel and the united Cartels, a fight between two leaders, who are in the area. It was a direct attack on the Community Police that is linked to one of these leaders.”
Investigators are pursuing all leads,including the identities of the two individuals who died in the explosion. According to reports, the occupants of the vehicle, which originated in Colima, did not exit the truck before it detonated. the official clarified that the incident did not involve a remotely detonated car bomb, but rather an explosion occurring while the driver and a passenger were still inside the vehicle.
The shift away from a terrorism investigation is rooted in a essential distinction under both Mexican and international law.Terrorism, as defined legally, requires an intent to impose political, ideological, religious, or social objectives. In this case,authorities believe the attack was motivated by purely criminal aims – expanding control over territory,drug trafficking,and extortion.
The official further explained that the groups involved include cells connected to the Jalisco Cartel, the Tepalcatepec Cartel, and the United Cartels, all of which have a history of targeting community police forces, some of which were formally regulated in 2016. The investigation has been assigned to FEMDO, the unit specializing in weapons trafficking crimes, reinforcing the assessment that this is a criminal dispute rather than a terrorist act.
“They are criminal groups…and they have also many times attacked community police,” the official said. “These are weapons trafficking crimes…Terrorism is to impose political, ideological, religious or social objectives and in this case they are criminal acts to expand their criminal activities, whether in territory, drug trafficking, extortion.”
While the investigation remains ongoing, the current assessment points to a brutal power struggle between criminal organizations vying for control in Michoacán, rather than an act of politically motivated violence.
Why did it happen? The explosion stemmed from a power struggle between rival cartels – the jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and United Cartels – seeking to expand their control over territory, drug trafficking routes, and extortion rackets in Michoacán. The attack specifically targeted the Coahuayana Community Police, believed to be aligned with a rival leader.
Who was involved? The primary actors are cells connected to the Jalisco Cartel, the Tepalcatepec Cartel, and the United Cartels. Two individuals died in the explosion, though their identities are
