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.

With the recurring activities by the normalistas (students at public teaching schools) who frequently hijack buses and block roads I would pay attention to the local and regional news since when the students are acting up many buslines suspend their services and refuse to drive in the affected region. The students don't harm the passengers, whom they allow to leave the buses with their belongings, but they are a major nuisance. I believe some alleged former autodefensas were also protesting near Uruapan recently and blocking traffic.

My News page has links to regional news sources for Michoacán that you can check.