The government has announced an agreement with the Autodefensas in Michoacán to establish their legality. However, it was careful to call their existence ‘temporary’.
One of the conditions of the agreement is that a list of the names of Autodefensa members be handed over to the government. In addition, members must provide a list of the weapons they have at their disposal, and must stop their unilateral advances on towns and municipalities. In return, the groups will receive certain materials from the Mexican State.
One of the worries is that government corruption may put Autodefensa members at risk or affect the efficiency of the groups’ advances. Another is that the potential for autonomy and popular participation will be suppressed, as these developments pose a threat to the agenda of the federal government. The coming weeks and months will show whether these worries are justified or not.
More information can be found in Spanish at: http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2014/01/27/gobierno-y-autodefensas-firman-acuerdo-contra-crimen-organizado-9906.html
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