New criminal gang announces its presence in Michoacán

A new criminal gang has announced its presence in the state of Michoacán just a few days after the head of the Public Safety Department, José Antonio Bernal Bustamante, said that the organized crime has no longer a hold on the region.

The "Nueva Familia" (New Family) planted a series of banners, the so-called "narcomantas" this Saturday, in different areas of the municipalities of Zamora, Jacona and Santiago Tangamandapio, announcing a war against the "Jalisco New Generation" cartel.

The Office of the State Attorney General has already announced the detention of a person involved in placing the banners.

According to intelligence sources, the new gang is a fusion of the remaining cells of criminal organizations like the Knights Templar and the Viagras.

The sources told EL UNIVERSAL that the remains of both cartels decided to join forces after the killing of Carlos Rosales Mendoza "El Tísico", one of the founders of the "Familia Michoacana" gang.

The Templars and the Viagras operate mainly in the region of Tierra Caliente and the coastal and mountain areas of Guerrero.

This new cartel is allegedly led by Homero González Rodríguez, known as "Gallito", a nephew of Templar leader Nazario Moreno Gonzales, killed in a clash with federal forces.

"Gallito" is also considered the successor of Servando Gómez Martínez, "La Tuta," arrested on 27 February 2015 in Morelia.

According to the sources, the Sierra Santana family, founder of "Los Viagras" in Guerrero, are also members of the leadership of the new group.