Tecámac Under Siege: Organized Crime’s Grip Tightens Near Mexico City
Tecámac, Mexico – Less than an hour from Mexico City and mere minutes from the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), the municipality of Tecámac is grappling with a dramatic surge in organized crime. Extortion has become a dominant illicit market, accompanied by a disturbing rise in threats and attacks against local officials. This stark assessment comes from journalist Óscar Balderas, who, during his appearance on MVS Noticias’s “Nación Criminal” with Ana Francisca Vega, painted a grim picture of a region increasingly under the sway of powerful criminal organizations.
Balderas traces the deterioration of security in Tecámac back to at least 2012, highlighting the notorious case of Juan García Palafox, alias “El Mili,” a former military officer who led an organization dedicated to the trafficking and sexual exploitation of young women in the Los Héroes Tecámac area. “He saw in Tecámac a no-man’s land, a terrible zone of impunity,” Balderas asserted, marking this episode as a turning point in the proliferation of criminal groups.
A Strategic Location, A Lucrative Market for Crime
Over the years, the nature of criminal activities has evolved. Tecámac’s strategic location, its rapid urban and industrial growth, its proximity to AIFA, and its role as a dormitory city for thousands working in the capital have, according to Balderas, created fertile ground for criminal enterprises. “Today, Tecámac is a place of much extortion; that is primarily the most relevant market,” he explained.
CJNG, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, and Extortion Cells
Balderas identified the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) as the dominant criminal organization currently operating in Tecámac. Alongside them, he noted the presence of La Nueva Familia Michoacana and remnants of the Sinaloa Cartel. The journalist further detailed two cells allegedly linked to the CJNG: “La Gente de la Gente,” reportedly focused on extorting transporters, and “Los Hijos del Diablo,” which primarily targets merchants. These claims, cited by Balderas during the interview, were not accompanied by official documentation for independent corroboration.
The journalist also connected the current security landscape to recent attacks on municipal officials. Citing a source from the State of Mexico, Balderas reported that at least three high-ranking Tecámac officials have suffered assaults or death threats from organized crime. Balderas went further, suggesting, based on information he attributed to communications known to the National Intelligence Center, that criminal groups are accusing officials of failing to uphold agreements made to secure power. This grave accusation was presented by the journalist based on his sources and was not independently verified during the interview.
“The Enemy at the Gates”: Proximity to Power
Tecámac’s proximity to the main infrastructure of the Valley of Mexico is a significant concern for Balderas. He emphasized that violence can no longer be viewed as a phenomenon confined to remote regions, far from the country’s political and economic heart. “It is happening just a few minutes from AIFA, just a few minutes from the new train that connects with Buenavista, and, without a doubt, 50 minutes from Mexico City,” he stated. “We have the enemy at the gates here.”
Ana Francisca Vega questioned the apparent lack of a more robust intervention from state and federal authorities, despite the clear warning signs in the municipality. Balderas found it particularly noteworthy that all three levels of government are led by Morena, yet the expansion of criminal organizations has not been contained. The journalist contended that the problem transcends the operational capacity of criminal groups, suggesting a potential link between crime and local political structures. “In some places like Tecámac, it’s not a system error; it’s a creation of the system itself,” he asserted. This assessment reflects Balderas’s analysis and not a judicial conclusion.
Self-Defense Groups Emerge Near the Capital
Another symptom of this systemic breakdown, according to Balderas, is the emergence of self-defense groups in Tecámac-a phenomenon previously associated with regions like Michoacán and Guerrero. Balderas quoted Luis Alberto Benítez, whom he identified as one of their leaders, who believes that the deteriorating security is linked to collusion between criminal organizations and local political actors.
In response to this dire scenario, the journalist proposed extending “Operation Swarm” (Operación Enjambre) to Tecámac, a strategy employed by authorities to investigate alleged links between municipal officials and criminal organizations in the State of Mexico. He also mentioned neighboring municipalities such as Jaltenco, Nextlalpan, and Tonanitla as areas of concern.
Balderas’s portrayal positions Tecámac as a particularly vulnerable point within the metropolitan area: a municipality connected to new strategic infrastructure and Mexico City, yet plagued by extortion, criminal disputes, and allegations of potential ties between crime and political power. These issues, the journalist insists, demand a much deeper investigation.
Unanswered Questions and a Call for Deeper Investigation
The revelations from Óscar Balderas raise critical questions that demand immediate attention from authorities. The alleged complicity between criminal elements and political actors, the unchecked spread of extortion, and the emergence of self-defense groups paint a picture of a municipality on the brink. The lack of robust intervention despite the strategic importance of Tecámac, especially its proximity to AIFA and Mexico City, is particularly concerning.
As the situation in Tecámac continues to escalate, the need for transparent and thorough investigations into these allegations becomes paramount. The integrity of local governance and the safety of its citizens hinge on dismantling these criminal networks and severing any ties they may have with those in power. The call for extending “Operation Swarm” to Tecámac underscores the urgency of a comprehensive response to a crisis that threatens to destabilize a critical region of Mexico.
