The government of Mexico deployed elements of the Army and the National Guard in the region of Chilapa, in the state of Guerrero (in the southern of the country s) after several days of violence, blockades and reports of armed attacks that have caused forced displacements in indigenous communities.

The Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, personally traveled to the area on instructions from the President Claudia Sheinbaum to coordinate security work, medical care and support for the affected families.

The crisis, according to federal authorities, would be related to the dispute between the criminal groups known as “Los Ardillos” and “Los Tlacos”, organizations with a historical presence in that mountainous region.

During his morning conference, Sheinbaum assured that his administration's priority is to protect the civilian population and avoid an armed confrontation that could cause more victims.

“First of nothing you have to preserve the lives of the people”, declared the president when confirming that in the area at least three affected towns and several road blockades were reported.

The Secretary of Interior reported that federal officials, accompanied by security forces, are working to reestablish order and allow access for ambulances and medical personnel to communities that remained practically*incommunicado.

Indigenous communities report attacks and displacements

The federal intervention occurred after inhabitants of Nahua indigenous communities spread videos on social networks reporting attacks with high-caliber weapons, explosive drones and burning of homes.

In some recordings, residents claimed that armed men had forced entire families to abandon localities such as Cula, Cauca and Chicotal to take refuge in improvised homes or mountain areas.

“The shooting and drone attacks on our communities continue”, said one of the residents in a video that quickly went viral on digital platforms.

Another message disseminated by displaced women included a call for help directed to the president of the United States: “Donald Trump, help us, more “Send helicopters to save us,” said a woman with her face covered while holding several minors hidden in a house.

According to official reports, at least 96 people have been displaced by violence in the region. In addition, six people were injured and were transferred to hospitals in Chilpancingo to receive medical care.

The federal government indicated that access by security forces was achieved after conversations with community representatives to remove blockades and allow in humanitarian aid.

Government denies dialogue with criminal groups

Initially, the Secretary of the Interior reported that undersecretary César Yáñez held conversations with leaders of the confronting groups to seek a peaceful exit to the conflict.

However, later, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, clarified that the dialogue was not carried out with criminal organizations, but rather with community representatives and local authorities.

According to Garcia Harfuch, federal actions seek to stabilize the region without generating an armed confrontation that puts the civilian population at risk.

The government also announced the installation of separate dialogue tables to try to reach agreements that will stop violence and attend to displaced families.

The Chilapa region has lived for years a crisis marked by the presence of armed groups, territorial disputes and reports of attacks against community police and indigenous peoples, in one of Guerrero's most violent corridors.