Leader of Mexican Vigilante Group Killed, Marking the End of Armed Self-Defense Movements
Bruno Plácido, a prominent figure in a civilian self-defense group, was fatally shot on Tuesday in southern Mexico, marking the demise of one of the last true leaders of the country’s armed vigilante movements that emerged a decade ago.
While there are still self-defense squads in other regions of southern and western Mexico that claim to be independent, the majority of them are now either infiltrated or financed by drug cartels.
Plácido’s murder took place in Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state, which has been a battleground for rival drug gangs. A state official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that no suspects or motives have yet been announced.
In 2013, Plácido gained prominence in violence-stricken Guerrero when he organized a group of farmers to apprehend suspected gang members. The rag-tag army, armed with rudimentary weapons, detained around 50 suspects in makeshift jails before handing them over to the authorities. The motivation behind their actions was to combat the escalating crime wave and the failure of authorities to bring peace and security to the impoverished coastal region east of Acapulco.
Plácido’s influence soon extended to the mountains, where various drug cartels such as the Ardillos, Tlacos, Rojos, and Guerreros Unidos instilled fear.
The identity of Plácido’s assailant(s) remains unclear despite the fact that he had numerous enemies.
This incident comes just months after the fatal ambush of vigilante leader Hipólito Mora in the neighboring state of Michoacan. The deaths of both Plácido and Mora have effectively wiped out the old guard leaders of the armed self-defense movements.
Mora played a vital role in the vigilante movement in Michoacan, where farmers and ranchers joined forces to expel the Knights Templar cartel from the state between 2013 and 2014. Mora, who stayed behind in his hometown while many others left, lamented in recent years that the cartels had infiltrated a significant number of the vigilante forces, leading to an escalation of gang violence.
Unlike the vigilante groups, Guerrero still has community police forces. These legally recognized forces, established since 1995, are comprised of poorly armed members who detain and prosecute individuals primarily for minor offenses such as drinking or brawling. Despite having their own makeshift judicial systems and punishments, including forced labor and re-education talks, they lack the necessary weaponry and equipment to combat the drug cartels.
Chilpancingo, despite its status as the state capital, is not immune to the violence. In July, hundreds of individuals associated with the Los Ardillos drug gang took control of the city’s streets, demanding the release of two gang leaders who were imprisoned on drug and weapons charges. This resulted in clashes with security forces, blockades on the highway between Mexico City and Acapulco, and the brief abduction of several law enforcement officials.
With the elimination of key leaders like Plácido and Mora, the future of armed self-defense movements in Mexico appears uncertain. As drug cartels continue to exert influence and extend their reach, it remains to be seen if any new leaders or strategies will emerge to tackle the ongoing violence and insecurity plaguing the country.
