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- Kidnapping and extortion increases in Mexico
- Zetas Flood Tamaulipas wIth Narcomantas
- Mexican Cartel's Pandemonium in Panama
Kidnapping and extortion increases in Mexico Posted: 19 Sep 2013 09:43 PM PDT By Chris Covert Rantburg.com Kidnappings and extortion reports increased by double digits in the first eight months of the Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto's administration, according to a news account posted onAnimalPolitico.com. Going by data sent to the Mexican Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Publica (SNSP) by state attorneys general, increases in both crimes have been posted in nearly every month since the start of President Pena's term in December 2012. Such an increase in crime doesn't make it to Mexican press since December 2012 because of the clamp on crime news, sometimes voluntary and often involuntary as it relates to Mexico pervasive organized crime problem. According to the report, statistics compiled for the periods December 2011 through July 2012 in the former Felipe Calderon administration and the same period in the Peña administration indicates that kidnappings have increase by 223 total, 809 in the previous year to 1,032 in the current period. The increase is 27.5 percent. Going by the graphics provided in the report, month for month increases have been posted for every month in 2013 over 2012. Similarly for the crime of extortion, increases have been posted for every month save one, June, 2013, when four fewer cases of extortion were reported, 679 versus 679. That increase is 17.5 percent with 794 more cases from 2012 to 2013. Mexican government officials have disputed the claims saying that the increase is due to the federal government's campaign encouraging citizens to report kidnappings and extortion. Secretaria de Gobernacion or interior ministry spokesman, Eduardo Sanchez, is quoted in the article saying that kidnapping gangs have been dismantled and many kidnapping victims have been released, which is what is shown in the data. Eduardo Sanchez also admitted that the statistics do show an increase in the crime of kidnapping and extortion. Francisco Rivas, of the Observatorio Nacional Ciudadano, disputes the government claims saying if anything the increase shows a small part of a larger crime problem. Citizens do not always report kidnapping and extortion and an increase in crime statistic would indicate that the crime has increased, dramatically. "There are no indicators," said Francisco Rivas, to back up the government's claim. Before the clamp on crime news took place last spring, Mexican press reports indicated that ordinary citizens suffer from virtual kidnapping where a victim is telephoned and told to pay money to prevent an actual kidnapping. Citizens have responded by simply not answering their phones. Kidnapping and extortion are also a means local crime groups have of funding local operations. Nationwide, kidnappings have more than tripled since the start of the Calderon administration going from 436 in the first full year of President Calderon's administration to 1,344 in 2011, the last full year of the Calderon administration, and the high water mark for the Calderon years. Going by current statistics, at the current rate kidnappings nationwide could come close to 1,300, the lowest level since 2010, when 1,236 kidnappings were reported. Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com and BorderlandBeat.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com. His latest work of non-fiction, The Wounded Eagle: Volume 2 went on sale September 1st at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.  |
Zetas Flood Tamaulipas wIth Narcomantas Posted: 20 Sep 2013 12:21 AM PDT Chivis Martínez for Borderland Beat  On Wednesday, narcomantas (narco message banners) flooded various parts of Tamaulipas, signed by " Los Zetas " and directed against the Cartel del Golfo (CDG) and the government. Mantas displayed at the municipalities of San Fernando, and Mante, in front of the IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute-public health facilities). An OXXO cooler was found and it is visible in the photos, a couple of black bags were also found, their contents unknown. However, OXXO foam ice coolers are notoriously known to contain decapitated heads when accompanying mantas, and plastic black bags often contain dismembered body parts. Other cities where mantas were discovered were; Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Mante and Llera. Additionally, two narco banners were discovered in the city of Valle Hermoso, one at the entry of the Public Prosecutor's office, the message accuses the government of being in collusion with the CDG.  It is directed at the Secretary of Public Security, Rafael Lomeli Martinez, (at left) as the narco banner has the name ( LOMELI ) and it says, the most evil ones (of the cartel) are those of the government . The text reads in part: " LOMELI is a member of the GULF CARTEL that's why he hates the other groups, there is no greater organized crime group, than the government itself, Lomeli is a good example of that and he doesn't want others around. Remember what you sow is what you reap-your connection to organized crime is the command of the federal forces in Ciudad Victoria, Lomeli, you are working for the wrong people, you know that better than anyone. Someone will be arrested and they will betray you. You want to eradicate organized crime? Organized crime is within government. Keep on driving on armor vehicles, someday you will have your guard down and then you will reap what you sow. We have nothing to lose in this game. Look around and see where it is calmer, and who kidnaps and who doesn’t. Matamoros and Reynosa.... how much are they paying you?" One million? We'll give you two-if you go fuck yourself." Sincerely, Z’s  Here is full text     |
Mexican Cartel's Pandemonium in Panama Posted: 19 Sep 2013 08:44 PM PDT Borderland Beat Panama • Local media said today Mexican drug trafficking groups operating in Panama are using the country as a base for trafficking cocaine from Colombia to Mexico and the United States.   According to intelligence reports cited by the newspaper La Prensa, the Gulf cartel, Beltran Leyva, Los Zetas and Juarez Cartel were the drug trafficking organizations most readily identified as being present in Panama. The information also indicated that there are 2,500 foreign prisoners incarcerated in Panamanian jails, between 90 and 100 are Mexican nationals, all charged with drug offenses, confirmed by Angel Calderon, Panama's Director of Prisons to La Prensa. In September 2010 when Edgar Valdez Villarreal, aka La Barbie, was captured in an operation in the Mexican capital, he told authorities: "all the drugs we transport into Mexico come from Colombia through Panama." Valdez Villarreal was reported to be in Panama in 2007 for the first time when an intelligence report associated the operation with the Beltran Leyva cartel. At that time he was listed as "Boss and security coordinator" of drug deliveries from Colombia that were transported through Panama.  Public Ministry sources consulted for the report indicated that, at the request of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Interpol, they investigated in Panama between 2007 and 2008 to determine whether the Beltran Leyva had accounts or assets in the country, but the inquiries were fruitless. In the last seven years, La Prensa outlined several instances that are linked to Mexican cartel members. In one of these incidents, in 2007, a Sinaloa Cartel cell was dismantled. 16 Mexicans and 3 Panamanians were arrested upon the interception and ultimate seizure of their boat loaded with 19.4 tons of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean.  A week after the bust of that large vessel, authorities captured two other Sinaloa Cartel operatives with 200 kilos of cocaine and 2.5 million in cash they were intending to bury in backyard of the residence in the capital.  While from Los Zetas, in 2009, they seized three cars with drug compartments loaded with cocaine crossing at the Paso Canoas border with Costa Rica. in 2010 four suspected Juárez cartel members were captured at the Tocumen International Airport with drugs in their suitcases with false bottoms. The presence in Panama of drug trafficking sicarios from Mexican drug cartels are not only witnessed in the streets of this country but many have been left behind in Panamanian prisons for the crimes they've committed. Sicarios Besides the activities of drug trafficking, Mexican cartels have also left the country samples of their brand of cruelty by eliminating those who betray them or who are acting contrary to their interests.  A local intelligence report in late 2012, seen by La Prensa, said: "A group of Mexican hitmen were in Panama, then Mexican agents lost track them in Paso Canoas."According to this information, suspected Sinaloa cartel sicarios, "were looking for several members of the opposing Los Zetas cartel operating in Central America, including Panama." According to the report, this group of gunmen had several "jobs" in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia and Honduras.  Valle de Colombia Cartel -Colombian cocaine trafficking group -One of the most active Cartels in Colombia -Is responsible for bringing much of the cocaine from South America to MexicoFARC -Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -Ties to communist Cuba, Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, the ETA of Spain, and other Marxist movements -Aligned with the remnants of the Tijuana Cartel and the Juarez Cartel for cocaine shipments -Claims to only supply drugs to support their political movement -Known for high profile kidnappings Rastrojos -Colombian cocaine trafficking group -Partners with the Sinaloa Cartel and the Juarez Cartel for cocaine supplies -Ariel routes from Eastern Colombia and Southwestern Venezuela for shipments -Sea routes from the Pacific Coast of Colombia -Former members of Norte de Valle who are partnered with Ejercito Revolucionario Popular Antiterrorista Colombiano. (Led by Pedro Oliveiro "Cuchillo" Guerrero and Daniel "El Loco" Barrera Urabenos -Colombian cocaine trafficking group -Remaining members of army members of the AUC -Positioned along the Panama border -Aligned with the Gulf Cartel for cocaine trafficking Los Paisas -Colombian cocaine trafficking group -3rd generation Medellin based group -Beltran-Leyva organization in Mexico is a major cocaine buyer from the group Cartel de Sinaloa -Major Mexican drug trafficking organization - Also known as the Sinaloa Cartel, Pacific Cartel, Guzman-Loera Organization, the Federation, and the Golden Triangle. -This cartel was formed in 1989. -El Chapo Guzman is the leader of the Sinaloa cartel. -El Chapo has been featured in Forbes and other lists as one of the richest and most powerful figures in the world. -The cartel now controls the complete border from Tijuana to western Juarez -Feuds include fighting with the Tijuana Cartel, the Los Zetas, the Juarez Cartel, and the Beltra-Leyva Cartel. -Claims are often made that the Mexican government favors the Sinaloa cartel over others. Recent claims have been made that the US Federal Agents have favored Sinaloa as well. Los Zetas -Created in 1999 by former special forces deserters who used their skills to work for cartels. -A major Mexican and Guatemalan drug trafficking organization -Split from their main employer the Gulf Cartel in early 2010 -They turned from an armed wing into a full fledged drug trafficking organization -The currently control the Nuevo Laredo corridor into Southwest Texas. -They have spread their territory stretching from the Texas border to Guatemala. -They have seized control of much of the human smuggling industry into the US, from Central America all the way into Texas. They are believed to be responsible for the massacre of 72 Central and South Americans in northern Mexico. -They are currently fighting with the Gulf Cartel mainly, as well as the Sinaloa and La Familia cartels. -The group is a favorite target by the Mexican and US Government because of their ruthless behavior Mara Salvatrucha - MS -13 -Central American/ Los Angeles street gang -They have been known to be employed in Southern Mexico, and in the United States to carry out hits, as well as move large amounts of drugs onto the streets by cartels -They are involved in human smuggling into Mexico from Central America. -They also share drug distribution and smuggling into Mexico and Central America Barrio 18 ( M-18) -Central American / Los Angeles street gang -Began as a Mexican and Mexican American street gang in LA -Now more prominent in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala -Bitter rivals of MS-13 -Ties with the Los Zetas and Sinaloa Cartel are suspected El Perrones -El Salvador drug trafficking organization -Transit drugs from Panama to Guatemala -Most prominent Salvadorian trafficking group Texis Cartel -El Salvador based drug trafficking organization -Leaders are prominent and respected businessmen -Profit off of controlling drug transit routes El Mendozas -Guatemalan drug and contraband trafficking organization -Believed to have brought the Los Zetas into Guatemala as hired guns -Highly connected to Guatemalan government -Many members are believed to have fled to Belize El Lorenzanas -Guatemalan drug and contraband trafficking organization -Ties to the Sinaloa Cartel -Many members believed to be in Belize El Leones -Guatemalan drug trafficking organization -Former cattle rustlers and car thieves -The group was attacked by the Los Zetas in 2008 -Their territory is now believed to be run by the Zetas   A recent report from the Attorney General of Mexico states that in the country eight drug cartels are currently operating, who have partnerships in 16 countries in the Americas, from Canada to Argentina. According to the Mexican intelligence document, there is evidence that at least four of these drug cartels have operations in Panama. The Mexico's drug cartels are identified as the Pacific, Gulf, Los Zetas, Los Arellano Felix, La Familia Michoacana, the Knights Templar, Beltran Leyva and Juarez Cartel,  The report notes that the Pacific cartel expanded its presence to 13 countries of the continent: Canada, United States, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Venezuela. While the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas, two of the most vicious and territorial, operate in nine countries: United States, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia and Bolivia. Also documented was the presence of Los Zetas in Honduras, Argentina, Brazil, while there are traces of Gulf cartel in Belize, Costa Rica and Peru.  The rest of these groups also contribute to criminal activities in some of these countries, but not the same level as the others. For example, the once-powerful members of the Arellano Felix cartel, are present only in the United States and Peru, while Juarez Cartel is also in the U.S. territory, keeping its alliances in Colombia, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and reaching to Argentina, according to the report.
The Knights Templar, emerged from La Familia Michoacan in 2011. While the group operates on U.S. soil, they are involved as well in Colombia, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
The tentacles of the Beltran Leyva stretch from their own network to the United States, and also into Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia.La Prensa reports assassinations or executions in Panama in recent years are related to the strategic geographic location of Panama and that these criminal organizations are increasing operations and transferring more business to Central America. Sources Milenio, La Prensa, hell on earth blog panama, K. Mennem K. Mennem For more on Central American countries and the drug war read: |
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