Self-defense groups in Michoacán eliminated as “narco-traffickers”

The self-defense groups that emerged in Michoacán to confront the cartels have become criminal organizations and were yesterday charged and sanctioned in the US for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, as well as extortion.

Washington dealt a new blow to Mexican organizations by financially sanctioning leaders of the United Cartels and Los Viagras, including Juan José Farías Álvarez, known as “El Abuelo,” former leader of the self-defense groups in Tepalcatepec, for whom a reward of up to $10 million is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

The Department of the Treasury, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), sanctioned both groups and seven leaders and operators for activities linked to terrorism, drug trafficking, and extortion of Mexican farmers.

“The cartels, including those sanctioned, have caused significant bloodshed in Mexico and the U.S. through the promotion of drug trafficking and violence,” the Treasury stated.

Of the United Cartels, designated on February 20 as a foreign terrorist organization, the Treasury sanctioned, in addition to its leader, Farías Álvarez, whom it links to murder and drug trafficking, Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, known as Wicho, a regional leader linked to the extortion of avocado growers; Alfonso Fernández Magallón, known as Poncho, who is responsible for recruiting former Colombian military and police officers to confront the CJNG; and Édgar Valeriano Orozco Cabadas, known as El Kamoni, a recruiter of hitmen.

On the Viagras side, Nicolás Sierra Santana, known as El Gordo, one of its founders and leaders, is on the blacklist; Heladio Cisneros Flores, known as La Sirena, is linked to the murders of rivals; and César Alejandro Sepúlveda Arellano, known as El Bótox, is linked to the murder of a lemon grower.

Along with the sanctions, which include the freezing of all their assets in the United States, the Department of Justice announced formal charges against El Abuelo, Fernández Magallón, Barragán Chávez, Orozco Cabadas, and Sierra Santana.