At least five people have been killed and seven others wounded after a swarm of gunmen attacked a group of community self-defense members in the western state of Michoacan, an official says.\n<\/p>\n
About 300 masked assailants who were dressed in similar T-shirts entered a crowded city hall in the town of Los Reyes on Monday, killing three members of the group, a police officer and a bystander, said Michoacan state prosecutor spokesperson Alejandro Arellano.\n<\/p>\n
The vigilante group announced that they would clear the region of criminals and take over policing the town.\n<\/p>\n
The group also accused the local police of having ties to organized crime and asked the federal police and soldiers to be deployed to the town.\n<\/p>\n
Self-defense squads have organized in recent months to fight the rampant violence, kidnappings and extortions carried out by drug cartels.\n<\/p>\n
On May 20, Mexican authorities sent thousands of security forces to fight drug-related violence in the region.\n<\/p>\n
Michoacan is one of the country\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s poorest states and is home to traditional drug routes. It is also a major hub for the production of methamphetamine in Mexico.\n<\/p>\n
Gangs regularly fight over territory in an area of rugged mountains, where they set up laboratories to produce the drug as well as marijuana and opium.\n<\/p>\n
More than 70,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico since former President Felipe Calderon launched an offensive against Mexico\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s drug cartels in December 2006.\n<\/p>\n
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