The Autodefensas and Armed Criminal Groups of Chiapas, Mexico

The New Formation
On January 23rd, a communication circulated announcing the formation of a new armed group in Mexico, “Consejo Indigena,” in the state of Chiapas, claiming their formation was to protect communities from kidnappings and extortions committed by Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).

A translation of the communication is as follows:

Sunday, the 22nd of January of 2023. We reunite authorities, communities, and indigenous representatives to know the group Consejo Indigena, the motive behind this council is to defend our communities from extortions and kidnappings from Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, who we know is extorting our communities under the order of Juan Valdovinos (Mendoza) or ‘ El Señor de Los Caballos.’ Let it be clear that we, the indigenous brothers, will not permit entry to those ‘rats,’ we’ll defend our communities and our indigenous people, and any person who mentions those names in the communities we’ll bring order in our ways and customs. We also address our indigenous brothers from Chicomuselo, that we’ll support them and not leave them alone as they are terrorized by an organization named El Maiz, who focus on kidnapping and have (forcefully) disappeared many of our indigenous brothers, we publicly state the fight against that organization named El Maiz. Vladimir Lopez Orantes alias ‘El Ruso,’ the principal head ordering executions, (forced) disappearances and extortions. Originally from the town of Santa Teresa Llano Grande  in the municipality of Frontera Comalapa, Chiapas. With Juan Manuel Valdovinos Mendoza, alias ‘Don Juan,’ leader of Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación in Chiapas, friend of Vladimir López… (Watch full video here)

Consejo Indigena alleges that Juan Manuel Valdovinos Mendoza “El Señor de Los Caballos” or “Don Juan” operates as a principal figure under CJNG in the area Mendoza had previously operated under Cártel de Sinaloa (CDS) until his separation from the group following the death of Ramón Gilberto Rivera Maravilla “El Junior” on July 7th, 2021. He joined Los Huistos, a group based in Guatemala that had formed an alliance with CJNG to combat the CDS presence in the state of Chiapas. They also mention Vladimir López Orantes “El Ruso,” another principal figure in the region who is reportedly linked to CJNG and heads the self-claimed autodefensa named “Pueblo Cansado”, in addition to acting as a financial backer for Juan.

In the communication, Consejo Indigena also extends their support to Chicomuselo, Chiapas, who they claim are antagonized by a group named El Maiz; they also claim the group had been extorting and forcefully disappearing members of the indigenous community and publicly state their intent to combat El Maiz.