BBC News - Mexico to integrate vigilantes into security forces28 January 2014 Last updated at 14:17 ...

1. Mexico to integrate vigilante groups
BBC News - Mexico to integrate vigilantes into security forces
28 January 2014Last updated at 14:17 ET
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Mexico to integrate vigilantes into security forces
The vigilantes launched their
main operation in the beginning of JanuaryContinue reading the main story
Related StoriesMexico 'captures drug cartel leader'Michoacan: Mexico's failed state?Mexico tries to
reassure vigilantesMexican vigilante groups in western Michoacan state have agreed to join the
official security forces after weeks of taking the law into their own hands.
The "self-defence" groups have recently taken over a number of towns in their attempt to drive the
Knights Templar drug cartel from the area.
The government announced on Monday that the vigilantes would now be integrated into units called
Rural Defence Corps.
The vigilantes had clashed with government troops sent to disarm them.
Continue reading the main story
"Start Quote
We are going to dedicate ourselves to regularising our status, having a legal status"
End QuoteEstanislao BeltranMichoacan vigilante leaderThe "self-defence" groups have accused the
government of not doing enough to protect locals from the cartels, which extort local businessmen
and farmers.
The vigilantes launched an offensive earlier this month, moving close to the stronghold of the
Knights Templar cartel in the town of Apatzingan.
Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said the new units would be "temporary" and "under
the control of the authorities to co-perate with the troops".
Gang leader arrest
The federal government envoy to Michoacan, Alfredo Castillo, said the agreement marked an
important development in the fight against crime.
"This is the start point of the new dynamic in which we are going to work together, the state and
federal governments, with civil society," said Mr Castillo.

2. Loya Plancarte was one of the alleged Knights Templar
gang leaders in Michoacan
One of the vigilante leaders, Estanislao Beltran, said his group was keen to speed up the process.
"We are going to dedicate ourselves to regularising our status, having a legal status," said Mr
Beltran.
Many vigilantes groups had refused to lay down the weapons and vowed to continue fighting against
the criminal organisation until their leaders are captured.
On Monday, Mexican officials announced an important development, the arrest of the Knights
Templar cartel leader Dionicio Loya Plancarte, known as El Tio (The Uncle).
The government had a 30m-peso ($2.2m; ?1.3m) bounty on his head for drug and money-laundering
crimes.
Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong lauded the arrest.
"He was detained thanks to the work of our intelligence team, the work of our federal agencies,
which have shown that you can achieve results when you work this way."
The Knights Templar claim to protect the local population from attacks from rival gangs.
They have accused the self-defence groups of siding with the New Generation drug cartel based in
neighbouring Jalisco state.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25924386