Guerrero: Cradle of Conflict and Organized Crime

Guerrero, a state of contrasts, has witnessed a history marked by violence, poverty, and the rise of powerful criminal organizations. The apparent interplay of political, social, and economic factors has enabled the consolidation of cartels exerting near-absolute control over certain regions. This report delves into the roots of this issue, analyzing the roles of politics, geography, and social structures that have allowed organized crime to flourish.

The Historical Role of the PRD in Promoting Illicit Crops

Since the 1990s, the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) has maintained a stronghold in Guerrero, advocating for the cultivation of illicit crops such as marijuana and poppies. In one of the country’s poorest states, communities turned to these crops as a viable economic alternative. However, this choice planted the seeds of a conflict that, decades later, continues to claim lives and strengthen criminal networks.

The production of opium poppies, used to make heroin, transformed Guerrero into a strategic hub for drug trafficking. Organizations such as Los Viagras, originating in Arcelia and later spreading to Michoacán, control not only production but also distribution. Their connections with political figures and their ability to manipulate the social fabric have established them as key players in organized crime.

Geography: A Natural Shield for Crime

Guerrero’s rugged mountains and isolated regions have played a pivotal role in the proliferation of organized crime. These geographical features impede law enforcement access and facilitate the establishment of clandestine labs and cultivation sites. Furthermore, the scattered nature of communities limits state control, allowing criminal groups to operate with relative impunity.

Guerrero’s strategic location also makes it a key corridor for drug transportation to northern Mexico and the United States. The cartels’ dominance over the terrain, aided by geography, is a critical component of their power in the region.

Social Structures: Brotherhood or Criminal Control?

One distinctive element of organized crime in Guerrero is its deep integration into the social fabric. Cartels like Los Viagras function more like feudal systems than mere criminal associations. Family and community networks play crucial roles in recruitment and loyalty, creating an informal “brotherhood” that sustains control across generations.

In some cases, these groups present themselves as community protectors, providing services and solutions where the state fails. However, this “protection” comes at a cost: total submission to criminal power, including extortion, forced labor, and the recruitment of youth.

Political Complicity and Institutional Control

Allegations of collusion between organized crime and local or state authorities are a recurring theme. Since the early 2000s, governments of various political parties have been accused of inaction or even collaboration with cartels. The case of Los Viagras is emblematic: their rise and consolidation are partly attributed to the support they received from federal commissioner Alfredo Castillo, who used them as a counterforce against Los Caballeros Templarios.

This pattern has repeated itself under different administrations. Cartels not only operate in the shadows but have also infiltrated key institutions such as police forces and prosecutors’ offices. This infiltration allows them to maintain territorial control and protect their operations.

Conclusion: A Systemic Problem

Organized crime in Guerrero is a multifaceted phenomenon sustained by historical, economic, social, and political factors. The region faces not only the threat of cartels but also the indifference or complicity of a state that has failed to protect its citizens. Understanding this problem is the first step toward solutions that address both crime and the underlying economic and social conditions trapping communities in this cycle of violence.

Breaking this cycle requires addressing not just security issues but also the structural conditions enabling organized crime. Corruption, extreme poverty, and a lack of opportunities must be tackled urgently to pave the way for a peaceful Guerrero.