The murder of Bernardo Bravo Manríquez, president of the Apatzingán Valley Citrus Growers Association, exposed the power of César Arellano Sepúlveda, alias “El Bótox,” the alleged leader of the Los Blancos de Troya cartel. Authorities have identified him as responsible for a network of extortion, kidnappings, and murders targeting lemon producers in the Tierra Caliente region.
Bravo’s murder, which occurred on October 20, highlighted how criminal organizations have imposed their rule in the Michoacán countryside. The agricultural leader was kidnapped and murdered days after publicly denouncing extortion charges and the pressures citrus growers faced in selling their produce.
His death, according to the Michoacán Prosecutor’s Office, is linked to the organization headed by “El Bótox,” who maintains a network of operatives in Apatzingán, Buenavista, and Parácuaro, who threaten and terrorize lemon and avocado producers.
Who is César Arellano Sepúlveda, “El Bótox”?
César Arellano Sepúlveda is identified as the main leader of Los Blancos de Troya, which operates in the Tierra Caliente region of Michoacán.
He is a former member of the now-defunct civilian self-defense groups that emerged in 2013 to combat the then-hegemonic Knights Templar cartel. Since then, he has consolidated alliances with other groups, in addition to establishing territorial control and extortion mechanisms.
