San Miguel Totolapan massacre
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2pm - ~2:15 pm
| San Miguel Totolapan massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of Mexican drug war | |
| Location | San Miguel Totolapan, Guerrero, Mexico |
| Date | October 5, 2022 2pm - ~2:15 pm |
| Deaths | 20 killed |
| Perpetrator | Los Tequileros cartel |
On October 5, 2022, gunmen allegedly associated with the Los Tequileros cartel killed over 20 people, including the town mayor Conrado Mendoza Almeda, in San Miguel Totolapan, Guerrero, Mexico.
The Los Tequileros cartel was founded in the town of San Antonio La Gavia, in the municipality of San Miguel Totolapan, by Raybel Jacobo de Almonte after a falling out with leadership of the La Familia Michoacana cartel in 2016.[1] The group originally conducted kidnappings and torture of municipal leaders and mayors of the towns, with Juan Mendoza Acosta, the then-mayor of San Miguel Totolapan, expressing support for the group after being threatened.[1] While local law enforcement and leaders were pressured into allying with Los Tequileros, most civilians of San Miguel Totolapan were against the cartel.[2] In 2016, a small uprising began in the town after disgruntled civilians abducted seventeen alleged Tequileros supporters, including de Almonte (El Tequilero)'s mother.[2] The uprising ended peacefully, although the city council was vacant afterward.[2] In 2018, El Tequilero was shot dead in a battle with police along with twelve other cartel members, and Mexican authorities believed with his death came the dissolution of Los Tequileros.[3][1]
Shortly before the attack in San Miguel Totolapan, several members of Los Tequileros released a video on social media claiming to reform and continue fighting against LFM.[4] They also claimed responsibility for the death of the municipality's director of Rural Development, who was presumed to have died in a car accident on October 3.[5]