By Nancy Caouette
MEXICO CITY
The archbishop of Guerrero on Monday denounced recent attacks against members of a vigilante group in the state, including the abduction of 20 individuals.
"It is urgent that the authorities coordinate their actions with the vigilante groups of the state which has been bringing security to the population," Carlos Garfias Merlos told local media.
His comments came hours after the Citizen and Popular Police (PCP), a vigilante group in Guerrero, said Sunday that 20 individuals were abducted in Olinala, at 187 kilometers (116 miles) from the state capital of Chilpancingo.
Women and children are were among the abducted, according to the PCP.
The PCP claims the federal government and Antorcha Campesina, a local political organization led by the state ruling Institutional Revolutionary party, are responsible for the disappearances.
The PCP said that the local authorities want to eliminate the vigilante group, which is fighting organized crime groups and corrupt local officials.
"The local police and members of Antorcha Campesina are ruling this municipality with their guns,’" said the vigilante group.
The abduction were "a stupid provocation", the group said, adding that it would be "political insanity" if Guerrero state government were to endorse the crime.
Sunday’s abduction came a day after Miguel Angel Jimenez, the leader of another Guerrero vigilante group, was murdered near Acapulco.
Jimenez was deeply involved in the search for 43 students from the Ayotzinapa College who disappeared last September in Iguala.
Relatives and friends of the students have rejected the official version of events and have demanded a transparent investigation. They have vowed not to give up until their loved ones are found.
The Pacific coast state of Guerrero is one of the most violent states of the country.
Tens of criminal groups are involved in drug trafficking, extortion and kidnapping in the southwestern state.
At least 1,514 people were murdered in Guerrero in 2014, according to official government statistics.
