( CNN ) -- In a sudden turnaround this week , the Mexican government will provide vigilante groups fighting a drug cartel in western Mexico a path to become recognized , moving away from earlier calls for the groups to disarm . The state of Michoacan , long a flashpoint in Mexico 's drug war , has of late been the scene of fighting between a cartel calling itself the Knights Templar and so-called `` auto-defense '' groups that have armed themselves and patrolled the streets . The vigilante groups grew from complaints that the government was not doing enough to protect citizens from the drug cartel . The government acted this month , sending federal forces to the region and ordering the vigilante groups to lay down their weapons . But Mexican President Enrique PeÃ±a Nieto appears to have abandoned that call , and instead announced a plan wherein the vigilante forces -- if they meet certain criteria -- can become part of a government-sanctioned Rural Defense Corps . Those members of the auto-defense forces who want to be part of the government forces will be required to pass all the tests that other Mexican law enforcement does , PeÃ±a Nieto said . `` The government is obligated to provide peace and tranquility to Michoacan , that is what the majority wants , '' one of the president 's supporters , lawmaker Emilio Gamboa Patron , told the state-run Notimex news agency . `` The grand majority does not want to live in violence . '' The about-face comes as officials said they arrested a high-ranking leader of the Knights Templar . Dionisio Loya Plancarte was arrested in Morelia , Michoacan 's capital , on Monday morning by federal forces , the executive secretary of the National System of Public Security , Monte Alejandro Rubido , said . Loya Plancarte was a major drug trafficking figure in Morelia , the official said . He is known for distributing videos online that reported on cartel activity and threatened other criminal organizations , Rubido said . A 16-year-old minor was apprehended along with the drug cartel figure , Rubido said . CNN 's Catherine E. Shoichet and CNNMexico contributed to this report .
Mexico says vigilante groups will have a path to become institutionalized . It is a change from an original order for the groups to lay down their arms . Certain criteria must be met for fighters to join the government . One high-ranking cartel leader was arrested Monday .