A chain of messages and unconfirmed reports about the supposed death of William Edwin Rivera Padilla, alias “El Barbas,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in the eastern region of Michoacán, was enough to trigger the mass closure of businesses, suspension of activities, empty streets, and exceptional security operations in Zitácuaro on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 18.
According to reports from local media outlets such as Informa Oriente and social media posts, messages began circulating on WhatsApp on Tuesday morning claiming that “El Barbas” had been killed in a confrontation, generating a state of collective panic.
The panic manifested itself in the immediate decision to close businesses, suspend public transportation routes, and order students to stay indoors at schools. Images circulating online show empty public spaces, due to fears of possible shootings or reprisals from rival criminal groups.
