Violence in Michoacán

President Enrique Peña Nieto must take what is happening in Michoacán seriously, because the situation can be more complicated. Even if people do not want to define it as such, this seems like a failed state.

The escalation in violence last weekend in this western Mexican state shows that it is not enough to have a change of the party in power for Michoacán to become peaceful. On Sunday at dawn, masked assailants armed with high-powered rifles and Molotov cocktails attacked the facilities of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), in the worst attack on the state-run power company in its history. Because of its scale, this attack cannot be considered a simple act of “vandalism,” as local leader Fausto Vallejo called it.

The attack interrupted electric service in 18 municipalities. The blackouts and power failures impacted almost half a million Michoacán residents, affecting everyday citizens. This is no longer an issue of territorial fights between gangs. We are now talking about the effects that these kinds of situations have on the civilian population.

Likewise, the violence in Michoacán reached Apatzingán, an area that is supposed to be protected by the Mexican army. In the middle of the municipal square, there was a confrontation between community leaders and members of the Knights Templar cartel.

These are not the first or the last incidents to happen in this state. For several years, Michoacán has been experiencing a spiral of escalating violence. It is urgent to stop it, or it will have a multiplier effect on the country.

There needs to be a strong figure to put an end to the state’s lack of governability. Governor Fausto Vallejo needs to really take the reins or, if he continues being sick and needing days off for tests and surgeries, it would be best for him to resign and make room for those who can govern.

The calls of lawmakers from the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), the National Action Party (PAN) and now even the PRI itself, asking Peña Nieto and his government to tackle Michoacán’s insecurity crisis, are not unwarranted.

It is clear that the escalation from last weekend casts doubt on the governing abilities of the PRI and of Fausto Vallejo himself in the state government. If Peña Nieto does nothing, he will become one more element to deepen the crisis in Michoacán.