The Michoacán State Attorney General's Office (FGE) secured a conviction against Carla B. for her alleged involvement in aggravated robbery in 2019 at the Faculty of Dentistry of the Michoacan University. The public prosecutor proved that Carla B., who worked as an administrative secretary, embezzled 346,210 pesos over several months. The Regional Prosecutor's Office of Morelia initiated the investigation, leading to her trial and subsequent conviction. A sentencing hearing will be held soon to determine her penalty.

In the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, also known as La Ruana, Michoacán, a joint operation by the National Guard, the Mexican Army, and the state's Civil Guard resulted in the arrest of at least 25 individuals. Among those captured is a man named Antonio Torres, allegedly the leader of an armed civilian group. The operation also led to the seizure of high-caliber firearms, money, and vehicles. The day before, a protest involving individuals from Apatzingán and Buenavista was reported, where they attempted to confront a reorganized self-defense group. The Mexican Army intervened to prevent the confrontation. Additionally, a criminal group used loudspeakers in Apatzingán to incite rebellion against federal and state forces, offering money for participation in a protest.

The article discusses the environmental and social impact of avocado production in the Mexican states of Michoacán and Jalisco, highlighting the deforestation and illegal land use changes associated with avocado orchards. Climate Rights International (CRI) has been actively campaigning against the importation of avocados from uncertified orchards that contribute to environmental damage. Max Shoening, a researcher and lawyer at CRI, has conducted a study revealing that many orchards have been deforested illegally, as there have been no permits for land use change in over two decades. The study implicates several U.S. companies, including Calavo Growers and Fresh Del Monte Produce, which supply avocados to major supermarket chains. The article also mentions a new bipartisan bill in the U.S. Congress aimed at prohibiting imports from illegally deforested lands. CRI is pushing for avocados to be included in this legislation. Additionally, the article touches on the economic impact of avocado exports from Mexico and the lack of action from APEAM, an association responsible for certifying avocado orchards in Mexico.

Alberto García Flores, known as 'La Peggy', a presumed extortionist and member of the Los Viagras cartel, was arrested by the Michoacán General Prosecutor's Office (FGE). He is accused of extorting lemon producers in the Apatzingán Valley and granting 'permits' for lemon harvesting. The arrest involved over 50 elements from the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena), the National Guard (GN), and the Michoacán Civil Guard. Following his arrest, a series of clashes occurred in the Tierra Caliente region, with no reported casualties. The FGE had previously offered rewards for the capture of 11 individuals linked to criminal activities, including cartel leaders and those responsible for the murder of Hipólito Mora Chávez, a former founder of self-defense groups.

The US government has admitted a labor rights complaint against RV Fresh Food, a Mexican avocado processing company, under the USMCA agreement. This marks the first international complaint in the food industry and the second this year. The complaint, filed by the Confederación Central Nacional (Cocena), alleges denial of labor and union rights. US authorities will investigate, and tariffs on RV Fresh Food products have been suspended. Cocena's secretary general, Víctor Manuel Mendoza Pantoja, emphasized the need to address labor violations and promote healthy labor relations. Thea Lee from the US Department of Labor highlighted the importance of protecting workers' rights under the USMCA.

In the community of Gámbara, located in the Múgica municipality, a member of the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena) and a civilian were killed during an armed confrontation. This follows a series of violent events over the weekend in the Tierra Caliente region, which resulted in four deaths. Consecutive days of armed clashes have been reported, with unidentified victims including two men and a woman. In Apatzingán, a man was murdered in his home. Security agents have launched operations to find those responsible for the attacks, but no results have been reported yet. The military member who died was attacked during a patrol by armed civilians, presumably part of a local criminal cell. The violence was documented on social media, showing high-powered rifle fire and at least one burned vehicle. Another man was found dead with signs of torture and gunshot wounds in Apatzingán.

Corruption cases in Michoacán, Mexico, are underreported, but complaints to the State Anti-Corruption System (SEAC) have doubled from 52 to 102 this year. Most complaints are submitted digitally due to fear of reprisals. The main deterrents to reporting are lack of awareness of the reporting process and fear of job loss. The most reported crimes are omission of functions and abuse of power by public officials. The SEAC and the Michoacan Transparency, Access to Information and Personal Data Protection Institute (IMAIP) emphasize the need for citizen involvement and education to combat corruption. Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index and the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index are used to measure corruption globally, with Mexico ranking 126 out of 180 countries.

Over three months after the Michoacán State Attorney General's Office (FGE) issued a list of eleven criminal leaders in the Tierra Caliente region, none have been arrested despite a 100,000 pesos reward for each. The suspects, including the Sierra Santana brothers and others, are accused of serious crimes. The region has seen a spike in extortion rates against lemon producers, and the Citrolim company has been affected. A new criminal group, Grupo Operativo Lagarto, has emerged, linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The FGR in Michoacán acknowledges illegal fentanyl trafficking in the region, with recent seizures in Apatzingán and Lázaro Cárdenas.

Ahead of the Super Bowl, six US senators urged President Biden's administration to block avocados from deforested Mexican lands from entering the US. They expressed concern over the environmental and social impacts of avocado trade, citing reports of illegal deforestation and violence against local defenders. Climate Rights International supports the senators' call for action, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. The senators recommend expanding certification requirements to prevent avocados from deforested areas from being exported to the US, aligning with commitments under the Paris Agreement and Glasgow Declaration. The Biden administration is urged to respond within 45 days.

On a recent Wednesday night, the facilities of CB Television and EXA in Morelia, Michoacán, were vandalized, with damages limited to property. The Frente Nacional de Lucha por el Socialismo (FNLS) claimed responsibility, leaving their initials on the building and issuing aggressive threats against newscaster César Velázquez. Social media also circulated images targeting Elly Castillo Calva, owner of the Changoonga website, accusing him of inciting against the FNLS's movement. The FNLS, which claims to represent various unions and social organizations, had just lifted a sit-in at Plaza Melchor Ocampo demanding student scholarships and support for its members. The attacked media outlets and the state government have not publicly disclosed any legal actions or agreements made in response to the incident.