The State of Mexico has become a powder keg. La Familia Michoacana and CJNG have taken their war to strategic municipalities.
In this area, executions, armed attacks, and threats against merchants are constant, without the authorities managing to contain the crisis.
The most affected municipalities include Toluca, Zinacantepec, Texcaltitlán, and Tenancingo, where clashes are increasingly frequent and the authorities seem unable to stop them.
The criminals have taken control of entire communities, and the inhabitants report that they live under constant threats, without an effective response from the government.
Extortion and disappearances: the toll of the criminal war
Reports of extortion have increased by 40% in the last year, and merchants claim that paying "protection money" is no longer an option, but an obligation.
Taxi drivers and transporters are also victims of crime, as the cartels have taken control of the main routes, charging fees to allow circulation.
Moreover, disappearances continue to rise.
Dozens of bodies have been found in clandestine graves, while search collectives have pointed out that the authorities aren't doing enough to stop the crisis.
The fear of reporting remains. Many victims of kidnapping or extortion prefer to pay and remain silent for fear of cartel reprisals.
The government reacts, but doesn't solve
In the face of growing violence, the government of the State of Mexico has deployed operations with the National Guard and the Army, but so far the cartels continue to operate with total impunity.
Patrols in the streets haven't reduced insecurity, and armed attacks continue to occur in broad daylight.
Bodies appear abandoned on highways, businesses keep closing, and families keep disappearing, while the authorities insist on empty security speeches.
The inhabitants of the most affected municipalities have begun to organize into self-defense groups, arming themselves to protect themselves in the absence of the government.
However, this has also caused clashes with the authorities, who seek to disarm civilians instead of confronting the real criminals.
The situation in the State of Mexico continues to deteriorate.
Every day, more people fall victim to violence, while the government still shows no real strategy to regain control.
