Collateral Damage: 500 Mexican villagers flee drug cartel violence

The Associated Press: 500 Mexican villagers flee drug cartel violence: "Drug cartel violence has prompted as many as 500 frightened villagers to flee hamlets in the western state of Michoacan and take refuge at a shelter set up at a local swimming park, an official said Wednesday. ...

Michoacan state Civil Defense Director Carlos Mandujano said about 500 people spent Tuesday night at the primitive water park in the town of Buenavista Tomatlan, with most sleeping under open thatched-roof structure.... The fighting is believed to involve rival factions of the Michoacan-based La Familia drug cartel, some of whose members now call themselves "The Knights Templar.... ""