Cartel-Linked Police Commander Killed in Southern Mexico Ambush

MORELIA, Michoacán – A top-ranking police commander who was outed by one cartel for taking dirty money died in an ambush.

The deadly shootout took place this week in Morelia, Michoacán, when a team of hitmen went after Miguel Angel Villarreal, commander of the Michoacán Strategic Operations Center (COE). Villarreal tried to counter the attack–setting off a fierce firefight where he injured one of the opposing gunmen while trying to escape, but was ultimately killed at the scene.

Prior to his death, Villarreal became the subject of controversy after Nicolas “El Gordo” Santana Sierra, the head of Los Viagras Cartel, purportedly outed him for collecting $1 million (MX) per month from the organization. The allegations were further displayed in a series of banners Los Viagras placed around Michoacán, claiming that Villarreal was falling back on promises made to the cartel.

Michoacán Attorney General Martin Godoy Castro claimed the cartel allegations were only rumors–but his agency would investigate the matter. Law enforcement sources revealed to Breitbart News that months later, nothing was done to investigate the case and Godoy reportedly ordered the matter filed away.

The allegations against high ranking state officials in Michoacán follow a series of reports from Breitbart News that exposed the amicable relationships between cartel bosses and officials. One report shamed the government into arresting one of the top hitmen for Los Viagras.

The ongoing violence in Michoacán comes at a time when Governor Silvano Aureoles Conejo is trying to claim that public security improved during his term. El Gordo Sierra also accused Aureoles Conejo of paying the cartel for votes.

Editor’s Note: Breitbart Texas traveled to the Mexican States of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Nuevo León and other areas to recruit citizen journalists willing to risk their lives and expose the cartels silencing their communities. Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles are published in both English and in their original Spanish. This article was written by Jose Luis Lara, a former leading member who helped start the Self-Defense Movement in Michoacán.