Criminal violence and displacement in Guerrero

Violence in the Montaña region of Guerrero, attributed to the criminal group Los Ardillos, caused a significant displacement crisis in the Montaña Baja area. Residents in localities such as Tula, Xicotlán, Alcozacán, and Acahuehuetlán fled their homes to escape attacks involving high-caliber weapons, explosive devices, and drones.

To facilitate the return of indigenous communities, the federal government is implementing a ‘Plan Maestro para la Montaña Alta y Baja.’ This coordinated effort between the Mexican federal government and the state of Guerrero utilizes the National Guard and the Secretariat of National Defense to maintain security, while 17 to 19 federal agencies work to rehabilitate homes, restore basic services, and provide access to welfare programs. The strategy focuses on 13 axes, including security, justice, health, education, and infrastructure.

As of August 2026, 264 families have returned to communities such as Tula, Xicotlán, and Mezcaltepec. While the majority of the 316 initially displaced families have returned, officials noted that 52 families remain displaced, though some may have permanently relocated. Government officials, including Segob Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez and Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda, emphasized that federal and state forces will maintain a permanent presence in the 19 priority communities to prevent further violence and ensure long-term stability.