Travel in Michoacan Question

In January 4 of us would like to travel by bus from Z to Morelia then on to San Miguelle de Allende then Guadalajara and eventually PV. Our friends who are seasoned travellers watched a documentary about Narco and Vigilante violence in Michoacan and now are questioning the wisdom of the trip. We chose to take the bus vs renting a car for the safer and less stressful means of travel. Any comments about this would be appreciated as I would prefer to stick to the plan rather then staying on the coast and doing a redo to Barra Navidad/Melaque.