Suspect arrested in connection with murder of Michoacán lime growers’ leader

Hours aft the execution of Bernardo Bravo, person of the Apatzingán (Michoacán) Citrus Growers Association (ACVA), national authorities announced the apprehension of a antheral accused of extorting the lime growers Bravo was warring to protect.

Security Minister Omar García Harfuch issued a connection connected societal media aboriginal Tuesday announcing that the detainee is allegedly a subordinate of the transgression pack collecting extortion fees from lime producers and avocado growers successful the region. 

Lime producers successful Michoacán and their workers unrecorded nether changeless menace of extortion oregon carnal harm, often requiring extortion from the National Guard. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)

The fishy was identified arsenic Rigoberto “N,” aka “El Pantano” (“The Swamp”).

García Harfuch said the apprehension was the effect of an cognition carried retired successful conjunction with the Defense Ministry, the National Security Cabinet, the Michoacán governor’s bureau and the authorities Attorney General’s Office.

The fishy is allegedly the operational main of the extortionists known arsenic “Los Blancos de Troya,” described arsenic allies of “Los Viagras” — a cause trafficking transgression household — and the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Though “El Pantano” has not been charged with the murder, helium is suspected of playing a relation successful Bravo’s death.

“The probe volition proceed until each those liable are found,” García Harfuch said.

Bravo had been organizing section lime growers to defy the extortion strategy that has agelong plagued producers successful the region. On Oct. 16, Bravo issued a video announcing that the ACVA was preparing to instrumentality enactment astatine Monday’s Tianguis Limonero (Lime Market) successful Apatzingán by preventing “intermediaries” sent by transgression gangs from mounting prices for the farmers’ limes.

Days earlier, Bravo had rejected orders issued by the extortionists that limes lone beryllium harvested connected circumstantial days (so arsenic to facilitate control) earlier starring a protestation march from the tianguis to downtown Apatzingán.

On Oct. 14, Bravo called connected President Claudia Sheinbaum and the national authorities for help. 

“We strongly, firmly and respectfully inquire the president to admit that the cultivation assemblage is successful crisis, and … we request funds to proceed working,” helium said.

Six days later, Bravo’s tortured assemblage was recovered successful the beforehand spot of his pick-up truck, killed by a slug to the backmost of his head.

On Tuesday morning, Sheinbaum promised justice, saying her full information furniture was moving with section authorities to analyse the murder.

State and national authorities person been battling cartels successful the Tierra Caliente (Hot Country) of Michoacán for years. Last year, five lime-packing houses went connected strike to protestation the deficiency of security. 

Even caller arrests person not deterred the cartels.

In February, Gerardo “N,” alias “La Silla” — the person of Los Blancos de Troya — was captured successful Apatzingán. In summation to extortion charges, “La Silla” is accused of murdering 2 agents of the Federal Attorney General’s Office.

Just a fewer weeks ago, Jhon Mario “N”, alias “El Llanero,” was arrested connected extortion charges.

Earlier this year, Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla inaugurated a subject barracks that outgo 13 cardinal pesos (US $705,500) successful an effort to clamp down connected transgression gangs operating successful the Tierra Caliente.

However, a period later, astatine slightest 30 lime farmers temporarily shuttered operations aft receiving threats from cartels.

With reports from El Universal, Infobae, CBS News and TV Azteca