Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Army deactivates 279 artisanal mines in Michoacán

Soldiers have found and defused 279 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Tierra Caliente region of Michoacán since December, newly uncovered military documents reveal.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has used the land mines in its fight against the Cárteles Unidos – a criminal group led by Los Viagras – and official security forces.

National Defense Ministry (Sedena) documents obtained by the newspaper Milenio via freedom of information laws reveal that the army has deactivated IEDs found on agricultural land, ranches and dirt roads in the municipalities of Tepalcatepec, Aguililla, Coalcoman, Apatzingán and Buenavista.

The army first became aware of the CJNG’s use of the mines on December 18. Soldiers have painstakingly searched for IEDs hidden under dirt or camouflaged among weeds in Michoacán’s Tierra Caliente, a notoriously violent region.

An armored army vehicle drove over one mine in Tepalcatepec in late January, causing it to explode. Five soldiers were injured, Milenio reported Monday. It was previously reported that 10 soldiers were hurt in the incident.

Exploded IED in Michoacan
An armored army vehicle drove over a mine in Tepalcatepec in late January. The explosion injured five soldiers, documents show.

Tepalcatepec ranks first for the number of IEDs detected by the army followed by Aguililla, where CJNG leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was born. Over a dozen mines have been found in Naranjo de Chila, the capo’s hometown.

A 78-year-old man was killed in Aguililla in February when he drove over an IED. His son was badly injured.

The mines used by the CJNG have been compared to those deployed by Iraqi insurgents and organizations such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in wars against the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past two decades, although they are not as powerful.

Security sources cited by Milenio earlier this year said the explosives consist of pipes filled with gunpowder, two-millimeter-thick pieces of metal, batteries, a detonator and other items.

Michoacán was the second most violent state in the first three months of the year with 756 homicides, according to official data.

The Tierra Caliente region has long been plagued by insecurity, but the army carried out an operation in February that, according to Sedena, succeeded in driving criminals out of 43 localities in the municipalities of Aguililla, Buenavista, Coalcomán and Tepalcatepec.

With reports from Milenio

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Travelers to Baja California Sur are advised to exercise increased caution, avoid crowds, monitor local media for official updates and follow instructions from local authorities.

US, Canada issue security alert for Los Cabos and La Paz, BCS

2
The alert comes after multiple shootings and clashes between civilians and police were reported in the area surrounding Los Cabos last week.
Earthquake alert drill in Mexico

How to prepare for Tuesday’s earthquake alert drill 

2
The earthquake drill, set for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, will test Mexico's alert system and give residents an opportunity to practice potentially life-saving actions in the event of a disaster.
President Sheinbaum raises a fist while standing next to a military engineer

Sheinbaum inaugurates work on CDMX-Querétaro train

3
Though estimated costs have ballooned, the president promised the new rail line would be complete by the end of 2027.