Numerous videos has been released of a new group of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) called Fuerzas Especiales Limones (FEL) which translates to Lemon Special Forces. Videos of the group began surfacing in September of a new armed wing located in the state of Michoacan, where CJNG has a significant presence. The group is reportedly financed through the extortion of lemon producers in the region. This is a common practice of criminal groups in Mexico who are subsequently able to generate wealth from both illicit and licit industries.
In footage released online, a badge can be seen by some of the members of the group. The badge has a lemon with two pistols and a skull on it and the name of the group above.
In numerous videos released online armed men wearing body armour can be seen driving in vehicles, often armoured vehicles. The videos often have the text of CJNG and FEL over them, or some reference to lemons, signifying the group’s identity. The group is reportedly under the rule of ‘El Jardinero’ and ‘Chito Cano’ regional leaders of CJNG in Michoacan.
The limones faction of CJNG operating in Michoacán
Source: @useraltorango pic.twitter.com/gfg0V6sKEV— All Source News (@All_Source_News) October 7, 2023
Fuerzas Especiales Limones CJNG @All_Source_News @Esmayli80931861 pic.twitter.com/cwxy95yQ94
— nasheto (@useraltorango) October 10, 2023
Michoacan is one of Mexico’s most violent states with violence between criminal groups, Mexican state and federal forces, and armed civilian groups. There have been conflicts fought over agricultural industries before where criminal groups and a civilian self-defence group of avocado farmers fought over the lucrative avocado trade and the extortion of it.
