Omar García Harfuch Arrives in Michoacán to Investigate Extortion and the Murder of Lemon Grower Leader Bernardo Bravo

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The Michoacán Attorney General announced that the group known as “Blancos de Troya,” led by “El Botox,” is responsible for the murder of the lemon grower leader.

Amid a heavy security operation, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, arrived in Michoacán Tuesday morning aboard a Black Hawk helicopter from the Mexican Navy.

His arrival at 9:12 AM at the facilities of the 43rd Military Zone, based in Apatzingán, marked the beginning of an emergency meeting between federal and state authorities to address the crisis of violence and extortion in the Tierra Caliente region.

The arrival of the federal official was accompanied by a heavy deployment of armed forces. National Guard patrols toured the streets surrounding the military compound to ensure the security of the meeting.

Personnel from the Civil Guard and the State Attorney General’s Office secured the military perimeter, while a helicopter from the Ministry of National Defense landed minutes later, presumably with General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo on board.

Between 8:30 and 8:35 a.m., the Secretary of Public Security of Michoacán, Juan Carlos Oseguera Cortés, and the State Attorney General, Carlos Torres Piña, also arrived and joined the private meeting led by Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla.

Notably, the mayor of Apatzingán, Fanny Arreola Pichardo, was not invited, nor was the family of Bernardo Bravo Manríquez, the lemon producer murdered last week, in attendance.

According to official sources, the meeting focused on the progress of the investigation into the murder of Bernardo Bravo Manríquez, leader of the Citrus Growers Association of the Apatzingán Valley, and on the strategy to curb extortion against agricultural producers.

What information have the authorities released regarding the murder of Bernardo Bravo?

Attorney General Carlos Torres Piña revealed that the investigation points to the criminal group “Blancos de Troya,” led by a man known as “El Botox,” as the perpetrators and masterminds of the murder.

In an interview with Milenio Television, he explained that the motive for the crime could be related to extortion, property disputes, or land conflicts.

“These are the possible suspects; this is what we have at the moment. This information was gathered from various investigations, interviews, and expert reports,” Torres Piña stated. The prosecutor added that arrest warrants will be issued in the coming days against those allegedly responsible not only for the murder of the lemon growers’ leader, but also for other crimes committed by this criminal cell.

He also reported that the Mexican Army (Sedena) and the National Guard have reinforced their presence in the area to ensure the capture of those involved.

Torres Piña also noted that rewards have been reinstated for information leading to the capture of members of the Blancos de Troya gang, although some had already been in effect for several months.

Meanwhile, surveillance continues in Apatzingán. Helicopters flew over the city 

Sources: Borderland Beat Archives,  Telediario

Source: https://www.borderlandbeat.com/2025/10/omar-garcia-harfuch-arrives-in.html