Cartel Land

We are the meth cooks, #1 here in Michoacan, Mexico.

Why are we the best?

We have the most quantity and the best quality.

A father and son came from America to teach us.

Those fuckers studied chemistry

and they taught us how to make this shit.

The United States is where most of the drugs are sold.

All over the United States.

What can I say?

We know we do harm with all the drugs that go there.

But what are we going to do?

We come from poverty.

If we were doing well, we would be like you.

Traveling the world or doing good clean jobs like you guys.

But if we start paying attention to our hearts

then we'll get screwed over.

It's reacting.

We will do this as long as God allows it.

As long as He allows it, we will make drugs.

And every day we make more

because this is not going to end, right?

What do you think, guys?

No, I hope not.

Of course not!

The good stuff is about to begin.

ALTAR VALLEY, ARIZONA U.S. / MEXICO BORDER

TIM "NAILER" FOLEY "Arizona Border Recon" militia leader

MICHOACAN, MEXICO 1,030 MILES FROM THE ARIZONA BORDER

Victor Rivera Cortez.

Alicia Torres Marin.

Their son, Evaristo.

My brother's daughter, Diana Lizbeth Jaimes Rivera.

She was 18 years old.

Her husband, Abelino.

Her son, Jorge Luis.

Little Jorge.

Maria de Jesus, six years old.

Felipe Casares Marin, Alicia's uncle.

He was 60 years old.

And the three-month-old baby

was Cruz

Cruz Rivera Loya.

There were 15 people in total.

13 bodies from the same family

and two that came to work in the lime farm.

All of the victims were lime pickers

who worked and lived in the fields.

Later we learned that their employer

was forced to pay money to the Knights Templar Cartel.

But he couldn't pay it.

So they took their revenge by killing his workers.

They were innocent

teenagers

children

and the babies.

They grabbed them by their tiny feet

and smashed them against the rocks.

Then they tossed them in the well.

I would like the government to bring forward the men

who did this.

But no.

This is the situation in Michoacan.

All we want is justice.

We need to practice so when the time comes for confrontations

we don't get shaky hands.

Because you never know when you are going to need it.

We have suffered many tragedies because of these criminals.

I had neighbors who lived across the street from me.

These are their heads.

The Templars beheaded them for being from Tepalcatepec.

We were next.

What would you do?

Wait for when they come for you?

Or buy a thing like this and defend yourself?

What would you do?

When the government can't provide basic security for its people

we can take up arms in legitimate defense

of our lives, our families, our properties.

We are all survivors - they've attacked all of our families.

They've killed, kidnapped, or raped someone we love.

Every single one of us in this battle.

So it's time to decide how we wish to die.

Do we want to die tied up like animals or dismembered

like they have been doing for more than 12 years?

We decided the best way to die was to die fighting.

It all started February 24th, 2013.

I got together with the other town elders

and we started looking for a solution.

This is a town of working people

that fights to protect its dignity.

That's when we began to organize the real rebellion.

At first we were very scared

because we didn't have any help.

It was just people from the town.

The first day we identified the houses where the Templars lived

and where they would hide.

Try it on the other side.

When they opened fire, we fired back.

And those who ran away, we let them run.

It took us three weeks to clear the first town.

Everybody was wearing masks

because we didn't want them to know who we were.

But the moment I got there, everybody yelled.

"Hey, welcome! It's great to count you in!"

"Come on! Help us out!"

So I took the mask off, thinking this is pointless

if everybody knows who I am anyway.

This is where my leadership came from.

Not because I'm brave.

Gather around.

I am Manuel Mireles.

One of the general coordinators

of the Autodefensas de Michoacan

We came to give you the help

you've been asking for

because of the things the cartel has been doing to you.

You are at the gates of Hell.

You know this.

Because they've hit us where it hurts the most.

That's why we're here.

Those of you who want to volunteer

raise your hands, and we will give you white shirts.

Raise your hands if you want to unite!

Hand them the t-shirts.

It's been an honor for me

to be here with you.

And I tip my hat to you.

Thank you very much.

They want more shirts over there.

Give a shirt to everyone who wants a shirt.

Arm yourselves!

Unite!

To Apo. Let's go!

Guys, get your weapons ready.

So far, we've taken six towns.

We support them for three, four days

while the people arm and start defending themselves.

There is no government.

The government is often working with the criminals.

Come out, Templars!

Block the corners, guys. The town entrances.

I am going to ask you a question - answer quickly!

Is Antonio here?

I don't know Antonio.

Is Antonio here?

In the other room there, maybe.

Get up, you son of a bitch!

Templar piece of shit!

Shut up, motherfucker! Shut up.

Oh look, we caught one of the lookouts.

Check out this Knight Templar.

Ask him how many lookouts they have here.

There should be at least four or five.

The army has arrived.

Let's see the kind of military we have.

Corrupt government - we don't want you here!

What's the problem, guys?

You.

We don't have any problem, guys.

I don't think people want you here.

I don't see anyone here, just you with your weapons.

If people tell us to leave, we'll leave.

No, people are afraid of you.

No, no. Go around and ask.

No, I don't have to ask.

Disarm them all.

Disarm them all!

Nobody is taking me in, I can assure you!

No fucking way you are taking me!

You are not taking me!

We invite all the people from Apo to meet in the town square.

Come out of your houses and help us.

People who are tired of being abused by organized crime.

Come out, civilians!

Surround them!

They have to give us back our weapons.

Give the men back their weapons!

We are the town, and we are demanding it!

Hey! Control yourselves, please.

You guys are dogs!

Dogs that have done so much harm to us already!

The people, united, will never be defeated!

If what happened to us had happened to you

you would all be on our side.

Why?

Because of the pain we carry!

Everyone listen!

Everyone bring reinforcements!

Go, everyone who can.

Get out! Get out!

Ladies, people of this town, am I scaring you?

No! Don't make them go!

I've decided to give back your weapons.

Okay, then hand them to me now.

The weapons! The weapons!

Out with the bad government!

It's on you whatever happens here.

You're in the mouth of the wolf now, my little ones!

Brace yourselves!

Good afternoon, everyone.