Michoacán officials address violence and extortion allegations

Morelia Mayor Alfonso Martínez Alcázar has stated that Mexico owes a debt to the victims of violence, noting that insecurity has hindered the nation's potential and caused widespread social fragmentation. Speaking in Uruapan, Martínez Alcázar highlighted the impact on families and the rise of 'searching mothers' (madres buscadoras) due to crime. He emphasized that addressing insecurity requires tackling root causes and ensuring justice rather than relying on superficial plans.

In a separate development, Deputy Conrado Paz Torres has accused the Uruapan municipal government of involvement in extortion activities. Paz Torres claimed that scrap metal collectors and recyclers reported being bribed or extorted by municipal institutions under the framework of the 'Plan Michoacán.' He further noted that while checkpoints exist at city entrances, citizens do not feel protected within the city, and the economic components of the security plan remain limited.