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For the past five days, the Mexican state of Michoacan as well as other surrounding states have been under fire as leaders of La Familia Michoacana cartel declared an all out war against Federal Preventative Police (PFP) and the Specialized Organized Crimes Investigative Unit (SIEDO) following the arrest of a key Familia operational leader, Arnoldo'La Minsa' Rueda.
Yesterday afternoon, a Michoacan television station received an unexpected, unedited live telephone call during the Voz y Soluciones news program. The caller, who claimed to be Servando Gomez, La Tuta, one of La Familia's most highest ranked operative leaders. The caller, in live interview offered both dialogue and a national pact to the Mexican President, Felipe Calderon, in exchange for the federal authorities to discontinue their use of "dirty war tactics" against them, and the implementation of respect and honor while engaging in narco battle.
The caller stated while having deep respect for the President and the Mexican military, Federal police and SIEDO agents hace crossed the line by attacking innocent family members and non-cartel citizens. La Tuta, continued to declare these 'dishonorable' war tactics were what provoked the cartel into retaliating with an all out grenade launching, heavy artillary backed, multi-city war against the PFP.
"What we want is peace and tranquility. We want to achieve a national pact. "We want the president, Mr Felipe Calderon, to know that we are not his enemies, that we value him, that we are conscientious people." - Servando Gomez, La Tuta
To date, officials have not commented on whether the caller appeared genuine. Interior Minister, Fernando Gomez Mont, insisted that the crackdown on the cartels would continue.
The federal government does not ever dialogue, does not negotiate, does not reach deals with any criminal organization. There is no other alternative for their members but to submit to the law. We will not give in to blackmail." -Fernando Gomez Mont
Regarding the callers accusation of illegal arrests and attacks of innocent cartel familiy members, Gomez Mont aknowledged Federal police have arrested and charged eight mayors in Michoacan for aiding the drug cartel, and have arrested some leading cartel figures, including crime involved relatives at events like baptism parties for other relatives, but denied traffickers' families were being targeted.
"Authorities act against those people who are arrested and put on trial because of their actions, not because of their family ties."Fernando Gomez Mont, Interior Minister of Mexico
The caller said La Familia had rules and standards, like kidnapping only politically connected corrupt people and "those who refuse to pay" — a reference to extortion. He acknowledged, "We know our work is disliked by the public."
Gomez mont responded to such justifications by stating: the criminal groups that the Mexican government are fighting are made up of criminal cowards without scruples" who "try to mask or justify their acts with all sorts of justifications."
A pact was offered by the Familia and the response by Gomez-Mont and the federal government has been made clear: Thanks, but no thanks..the Mexican war against drugs and corruption will carry on.
