A member of a self-defense group carries a weapon in Antunez, Mexico, on Thursday, January 16. The western state of Michoacan has long been a flashpoint in Mexico's drug war, and such groups have said they were forced to protect violence-torn towns from cartels. The Mexican government has now stepped in, sending federal forces to the region and ordering the vigilante groups to lay down their arms.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
A member of a self-defense group carries a weapon in Antunez, Mexico, on Thursday, January 16. The western state of Michoacan has long been a flashpoint in Mexico's drug war, and such groups have said they were forced to protect violence-torn towns from cartels. The Mexican government has now stepped in, sending federal forces to the region and ordering the vigilante groups to lay down their arms.
Eduardo Verdugo/ap
Mexican soldiers patrol the streets of Apatzingan on January 16. The situation with the vigilantes has become a major problem for President Enrique Peña Nieto's government, which has vowed to reduce drug violence.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
Mexican soldiers patrol the streets of Apatzingan on January 16. The situation with the vigilantes has become a major problem for President Enrique Peña Nieto's government, which has vowed to reduce drug violence.
ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images
Mexican federal police check men in the streets of Apatzingan on Wednesday, January 15. Some vigilante groups have vowed not to hand over their guns until cartel leaders are captured.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
Mexican federal police check men in the streets of Apatzingan on Wednesday, January 15. Some vigilante groups have vowed not to hand over their guns until cartel leaders are captured.
HECTOR GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images
Self-defense groups head to the village of Nueva Italia in Michoacan state on Tuesday, January 14, to face the Knights Templar cartel.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
Self-defense groups head to the village of Nueva Italia in Michoacan state on Tuesday, January 14, to face the Knights Templar cartel.
Ulises Ruiz Basurto/epa/LANDOV
A city employee watches from a doorway as Mexican soldiers guard Apatzingan City Hall on January. 14. Mexican soldiers and federal police have faced tense standoffs with vigilantes after the government campaign to stop violence turned deadly.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
A city employee watches from a doorway as Mexican soldiers guard Apatzingan City Hall on January. 14. Mexican soldiers and federal police have faced tense standoffs with vigilantes after the government campaign to stop violence turned deadly.
Eduardo Verdugo/ap
Armed members of a citizens' group stand guard in Paracuaro in Michoacan state on January 14. Mexican authorities say they have gained control of 20 municipalities in the region so far.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
Armed members of a citizens' group stand guard in Paracuaro in Michoacan state on January 14. Mexican authorities say they have gained control of 20 municipalities in the region so far.
HECTOR GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images
A man belonging to a group called the Self-Defense Council of Michoacan kisses a woman in Nueva Italia's main square on Monday, January 13.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
A man belonging to a group called the Self-Defense Council of Michoacan kisses a woman in Nueva Italia's main square on Monday, January 13.
Eduardo Verdugo/ap
Mexican soldiers stand next to a truck burned by members of an armed group on a road in Michoacan state on Sunday, January 12. Some residents say they're caught in the middle of spiraling violence that shows no sign of slowing.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
Mexican soldiers stand next to a truck burned by members of an armed group on a road in Michoacan state on Sunday, January 12. Some residents say they're caught in the middle of spiraling violence that shows no sign of slowing.
Ulises Ruiz Basurto/epa/LANDOV
Men from a self-defense group engage in a firefight to flush out alleged members of the Knights Templar drug cartel from Nueva Italia on January 12. Critics suggest the vigilante groups contain some criminals from rival gangs who are using them as a means to win more territory.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
Men from a self-defense group engage in a firefight to flush out alleged members of the Knights Templar drug cartel from Nueva Italia on January 12. Critics suggest the vigilante groups contain some criminals from rival gangs who are using them as a means to win more territory.
Eduardo Verdugo/ap
Members of a self-defense group talk to villagers after arriving in Las Yeguas in Michoacan state on Saturday, January 11. Some locals view the vigilantes as heroes, while others see them as villains.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
Members of a self-defense group talk to villagers after arriving in Las Yeguas in Michoacan state on Saturday, January 11. Some locals view the vigilantes as heroes, while others see them as villains.
Eduardo Verdugo/ap
A bank window is riddled with bullet holes in Apatzingan on January 11. Some observers say it's not clear the Mexican government's crackdown is working.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
A bank window is riddled with bullet holes in Apatzingan on January 11. Some observers say it's not clear the Mexican government's crackdown is working.
Eduardo Verdugo/ap
A bus burns at the entrance of Paracuaro on January 10. Some residents have responded to the vigilante groups' arrival by destroying property and setting vehicles ablaze to create road blocks to stop them.
Mexico tries to disarm vigilantes in drug war —
A bus burns at the entrance of Paracuaro on January 10. Some residents have responded to the vigilante groups' arrival by destroying property and setting vehicles ablaze to create road blocks to stop them.
Eduardo Verdugo/ap