Mexicans in U.S. and Canada Protest Arrest of Self-Defense Leader, José Manuel Mireles
Mexicans living in the United States and Canada are calling for the release of Michoacán self-defense group leader and spokesperson, José Manuel Mireles. Demonstrations in Arizona, California, New York and Vancouver have taken place over the fourth of July weekend.
José Gil, Proceso Magazine writer, says the following about Mireles:
"José Manuel Mireles has proven an inspirational figure to towns in Michoacán and other states trying to build their own self-defense groups. This is what is most frightening to the federal government since there has not been any substantive progress in the fight against insecurity and violence in México. Meanwhile, Peña Nieto continues Calderón’s war on drugs."
The self-defense groups are referred to as ‘autodefensas' in Spanish. An 'autodefensa' is a member of a 'self-defense force'; these are community police organizations enforcing the Mexican constitution at the municipality and state level. The rise of autodefensas has attracted the attention of the Mexican military, and, by extension, the U.S. military too. According to his lawyer, Mireles was tortured. Others also allege Mireles was arrested because he did not collaborate with the dominant political parties in the region, the PRI and the PAN.
The United States has provided training to the Mexican military and police under Plan Merida. This training includes interrogation techniques often referred to as torture. The discovery of Project Gunrunner also provides incontrovertible proof of American weapons making their way to drug traffickers via U.S. authorities. High caliber hardware - the type of weapons provided to the Mexican military under Plan Merida - has also shown up in crime scenes linked to narco-trafficking.
July 4, 2014, New York City, New York
July 5, 2014 Vancouver, British Columbia
July 4, 2014, San Jose, California
July 4, 2014, Phoenix, Arizona
This story was originally published in LaCartita.com
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