CJNG Resumes Explosive Drone Attacks in Michoacán One Month After Leader’s Death

Morelia, Michoacán — One month after the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), residents of four Nahua communities in Michoacán’s Sierra Costa region report renewed attacks using explosive drones by the criminal group. The attacks have continued for up to eight consecutive days in some areas, with no intervention from authorities to protect the population.

With support from the Collective for the Defense of Human Rights and Territory (CODDHHT), residents of Laguna de Calvillo, El Puerto, El Ranchual, and El Salitre de Estopila in Chinicuila municipality are sounding the alarm and urgently requesting immediate security force deployment to the area.

In Estopila, attacks have occurred repeatedly over the past eight days. In Laguna de Calvillo and El Puerto, they began last weekend and have not stopped. Similar attacks were reported in El Ranchual early Wednesday morning.

“These acts represent a serious threat to public safety, generating fear, displacement, and vulnerability among families living in these communities,” warned CODDHHT and local residents. They demand investigations into the attacks to identify and punish those responsible, as well as preventive measures to guarantee security for affected communities.

They also call for the situation not to be minimized, “since the use of this type of technology for violent purposes constitutes an extreme risk and an escalation in insecurity.”

Authorities Accused of Inaction

The Nahua communities of Sierra-Costa in Chinicuila municipality have experienced continuous attacks by CJNG members over the past three years, despite authorities’ failure to act on calls for help. In 2025, attacks were documented in February, April, July, and October. Even with the federal government’s “Plan Michoacán for Peace and Justice” in operation, between December 25 and 31, the four communities, along with Coahuayula, El Aguacate, and La Ciénega, came under attack. Similar attacks recurred in January.

Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla has stated that Chinicuila has permanent surveillance with the presence of the Civil Guard, National Guard, and Mexican Army. Despite this, attacks continue and security forces do not enter affected communities, according to CODDHHT reports.

Initially, attacks involved firearms. Subsequently, CJNG members turned to explosive drones and later planted landmines to isolate communities. Residents have confronted the attacks through their community guards. Due to the lack of government operations to deactivate mines, they have had to assume this task themselves.

On March 19, 2024, in Coahuayula, territory defender José Gabriel Pelayo Salgado, founder of the Popular Council of Chinicuila, disappeared. There have been no advances in investigations to locate those responsible or determine his whereabouts.

These communities have demanded the dismantling of the CJNG in the area and the arrest of its members, as well as the removal of explosives placed at various points along the highway and in areas near communities. They also request the installation of a permanent military checkpoint at Los Telares junction, the implementation of surveillance and control posts by the Army, the establishment of working groups between federal and state authorities and communities to address the security crisis in the region, and that public security forces act in accordance with the law while respecting human rights. They further call on the State Prosecutor’s Office to investigate criminal acts and provide updates to guarantee access to justice for human rights defenders and the general population.