Borderland Beat |  |
- Sinaloa slams the door shut on the press and democracy
- Peruvian coke provider for the Tijuana Cartel is arrested.
- I am (Rafael) Caro Quintero
- Chapo and Emma: A Wedding in Durango
Sinaloa slams the door shut on the press and democracy Posted: 01 Aug 2014 07:52 PM PDT Borderland Beat Translated by Leila English/Mexico Voices  Perhaps it is best to begin by saying that Governor Mario López Valdez is in a fight with Sinaloa’s critical press. He has abused it, and he has besieged it. He doles out punishments by withholding government publicity funds, for example, or simply harasses its journalists. Such is the case of the newspaper Noroeste, which has suffered a campaign of aggressions that affected, obviously, even its general director. Nothing less than a shooting. An assault, supposedly. Nobody could believe it. Recently, the State Congress approved reforms to the Organic Law of the State Attorney General which will limit the scope of the media, who will no longer have access to information about investigations and who, by law, now, will only be able to “report” official press releases. And these press releases have to be delivered by another organization, a very specific one: that which guards access to public information. And always and only when they are in compliance with the requisites identified in transparency laws. To restate: even the press releases will require a bureaucratic process. Reporters will not have access to crime scenes, any audio, video, or photographs of the people involved in a criminal event, or to the use of information related to public security or the pursuit of justice. It’s like that. No representative from the Attorney General’s office will be able to give information to media outlets without the express authorization from the State Attorney General or from the organization guarding access to public information. Yes, it’s like that. It’s not a joke. It’s not Iraq or Iran; it’s not China or North Korea. It’s Sinaloa. Governor Mario López Valdez has been accused of having links with organized crime. His police forces have been accused of manipulating evidence and falsifying guilt. His administration has been fingered as an assailant of journalists. And few of these suspicions have been cleared. In response, however, comes this law. As journalists we are part of the mechanism of democracy. Access to information is a necessity for that great resource, the free press, to function. Now the journalists of Sinaloa must await press releases in their offices, or risk subverting the law in a way that could send them to prison. Mario López Vladez has constructed, for himself and his own, a hidden castle. They will live there as they please. They will act there as they wish. Not ruled by a king, but by a dictator. These are bad times for Sinaloa. These are bad times for democracy  If you recall, after the Chapo capture, the governor said he was told nothing about the operation., which no doubt was a big part of the plan. A year ago a video was sent to Riodoce accusing the governor of ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Below is an article from Justice in Mexico about the incident. Another Mexican state governor is in the media spotlight, this time for alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Around the same time as the corruption scandal surrounding Tabasco Governor Andrés Granier broke in late June, and just a week before former Quintana Roo Governor Mario Villanueva was sentenced to 11 years by a U.S. federal judge for corrupt ties to drug trafficking, a video surfaced online through Ríodoce news outlet accusing Sinaloa Governor Mario López Valdez of working with the Sinaloa Cartel to defeat cartel rivals and gain control of territory in Sinaloa. López, more commonly known as ‘Malova,’ has denied the allegations. The video itself features López’s bodyguard, Frank Armenta Espinoza, calmly speaking to the camera as he details interactions the governor had with the Sinaloa Cartel’s two leaders, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambado García and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera. Armenta explicitly points to a meeting with El Mayo and El Chapo that he joined López at in Quilá, Sinaloa near the start of the governor’s term in office (2011-2016). Armenta accuses López of working directly with members of the Sinaloa Cartel in a collaborative effort to defeat the coalition among the Beltran-Leyva Organization, the Carrillo-Fuentes Cartel, and Los Zetas in northern Sinaloa, while simultaneously assisting the Sinaloa Cartel in gaining full control of the state To allegedly assist the Sinaloa Cartel, Armenta said that several state officials were promoted to increase protection of the cartel and its interests. One such promotion was the appointment of Jesús Antonio Aguilar Íñiguez, also known as Chuytoño, as the head of the Ministerial Police (Policía Ministerial, PM) Armenta alleges that Chuytoño has headed the effort to coordinate the Sinaloa Cartel’s control, a role in which he also promoted Jesús Carrasco as the Chief of Police in the municipality of Ahome to combat activities against the Sinaloa Cartel in the northern part of the state. Carrasco, who has since been replaced by Gerardo Amarillas Gastelum as chief of police, is accused of having committed crimes including extortion, assassinations, robberies, drug trafficking, and supporting the Sinaloa Cartel. The video also contains audio clips of alleged discussions held between Governor López and various officials in Sinaloa including Chuytoño, Carrasco, General Moisés Melo García of the military, and El Carrizo Police Commander José Ángel Castro Flores. The audio clips reveal numerous conversations pertaining to organized crime activities such as drug trafficking, murders, and robberies. Not only have the allegations in the video caught the public’s attention, but so too did the timing of its release. On June 22, 2013, Ríodocestreamed the 55-minute long video online after it was sent to its website. The sender had included a note with the video footage stating, “Please review the link as it reveals very important information. Watch the video.” The video, featuring bodyguard Frank Armenta, came three weeks after Armenta was kidnapped on June 4 as he was returning to his home located in the town of Callejones de Guasavito in the municipality of Guasave. Although his whereabouts were and still remain unknown, the video footage of Armenta detailing Governor López’s alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel was the first sign of the bodyguard since his disappearance. For his part, López immediately partnered with the State Attorney General’s Office (Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado, PGJE) stating they would do everything in their power to get the guard back, including the use of land and water operatives. While the source of the video’s audio clips are unconfirmed, López, however, has wasted no time in negating all accusations made by Armenta, including the validity of the audio. While he recognizes that the voice in the clips is his, he asserts that it was distorted using advanced technology to piece together phrases he said during various speeches to create inaccurate statements. He believes the video was made under threat to Armenta and went on to say that it is a tool that is being used by organized crime to “discredit his government.” If the audio clips are proven true, it reveals a network of government, police, and military officials who will be linked to protecting and serving the interests of the Sinaloa Cartel within the state. For example, one audio clip reveals a conversation between Governor López and General Melo García in which López thanks the general for his support in assisting the municipal and state police in several distinct areas in the state. In response to the audio surfacing, General Melo García replied that it was not his problem nor did he have an opinion on the matter. Due to growing concerns among residents in Sinaloa and pressure from Governor López, the government of Sinaloa has released an eight point response to the video seeking to assure residents that the video was used to fool the public and is a direct attack to discredit the government’s actions against organized crime groups.  | ||
Peruvian coke provider for the Tijuana Cartel is arrested. Posted: 01 Aug 2014 03:24 PM PDT
The Interior Ministry of Peru announced the arrest of an alleged Peruvian drug trafficker accused of leading an international drug organization linked to the Tijuana cartel. Alberto Santillan Zamora was taken to Lima, Peru after his arrest in the jungle city of Tingo Maria, in a heavily guarded operation supervised by the Interior Minister Daniel Urresti, and the Director of the National Police, Jorge Flores. "The individual just transferred worked for the Tijuana Cartel and is among the most wanted criminal leaders in the nation." said Urresti. In 2002, Santillan managed to evade justice, following the arrest of 37 involved in the seizure of more than 1.7 tons of cocaine. The alleged kingpin was known by the nicknames of "Chang" or "Old man" and was captured in the town of Pampayacu last Thursday. According to His arrest warrant, his organization was known as "Safari" and operated in the regions of Lima, Ayacucho, Chimbote, Trujillo and the Huallaga Amazonian Valley. Santillan´s organization built clandestine laboratories used to create cocaine paste then process cocaine hydrochloride and then made arrangements to transport it to a shipping port where it was shipped by sea to the Tijuana Cartel. For that reason, Santillan had an arrest warrant against him and was included in the Peruvian list of criminal organization leaders in 2013. SOURCE: http://www.milenio.com/policia/Alberto_Santillan_Zamora-narco_peruano-cartel_Tijuana-Chang-Viejo_0_344965870.html ADDITIONAL INFO ON PERU AND TIJUANA RELATIONSHIPS CAN BE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2014/05/tijuana-cartel-using-colombian.html http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2012/05/1686-kilos-belonging-to-caf-seized-in.html  | ||
Posted: 01 Aug 2014 09:36 AM PDT Chivis Martínez Borderland Beat Corridos are songs that send news or a story, set to simple polka like music. Beginning in the 1800's they became popular, but it was during the Mexican Revolution, when corridos became essential, more so as a way to funnel news to the mostly illiterate population. The corridos sent news of major events, celebrated victories, grieved loses and gave recognition to the heroes of the revolution. A sample is Corrido del General Zapata, (Corrido of Emiliano Zapata, also called Atila of the South) Moving ahead to narco times, and today. Corridos are used by cartels to send news, threaten or boast about their activities or give a nod to a narco deemed a hero. The corrido above is supposedly a message from Rafael Caro Quintero. Convicted of the murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena, the 62 year old Caro Quintero, who co-founded the once powerful Guadalajara Cartel, was released from prison last August. His court ordered release was on based on grounds of court "irregularities". This enraged the U.S. due to the warrant out for his arrest. Mexico has claimed it was a "mistake" and has since issued a warrant for his re-arrest.  "I Am Rafael Caro Quintero" Thanks to Graduates everyone who supported me I thank God I'm free number 1 all have nicknamed me I am Rafael Caro Quintero I have new plans and new secrets to live as a person of honor Life is tough when you are charged this is true the moments in prison as well My Friends and women are always here with me my people that I cherish It was 28 years and if something I was to pay them I already have Time for me to leave I hear whispers of another country calling me they do not scare me, because I still have value and it will not be so easy to bring me out of here because I owe them nothing. hello my brother my grandest friend Rafael it gives me pleasure to see you today things are not like before, you see it there are new people, new generation the "Plebada" these days have no respect if you owe, there's no mercy no forgiveness only to see as you fly through the air they will shoot you, take care and may god be with you. I thank you, look my time to leave has not come I will be happy while living, also when I leave this life as I was born to die Since a young boy I knew what I wanted good friend, when bad be careful maybe you will see me walking the streets I retire I'm Caro quintero   | ||
Chapo and Emma: A Wedding in Durango Posted: 01 Aug 2014 07:28 AM PDT Borderland Beat Archives posted by Vato  This is a repost I that was suggested it as a repost by a reader. In case you missed it the first time or want to re-read. The Deputy Secretary of Standards and Media of the Department of the Interior (Segob), Eduardo Sanchez Hernandez, said that "according to intelligence information, Ines Coronel Barrera is identified as the father of Emma Coronel Aispuro, 18, the wife of Joaquin Guzman Loera, whom she married in 2007 in the town of Angostura, Canelas County, Durango. There, it tells the peculiar love story of Emma and El Chapo Guzman, which filled with pride her father and mother, Ines Coronel Barrera and Estela Aispuro Aispuro, respectively, both from the town of Angostura. In its public version, the story began on November 20, 2006. On that day, the city council called on all the young girls to compete in the contest to elect the queen of the 2007 Great Coffee and Guava Festival. One of the candidates surprised people: Emma, a girl from the remote village of La Angostura, would compete against Baudelia Ayala Coronel, from El Ranchito; Rosa Sandoval Avitia, from the county seat; Alma Diaz Rodriguez, from Zapote and Nancy Herrera Vizcarra, from Mesa de Guadalupe. El Correo de la Montana, stated that it gave Emma a sort of "morbid popularity", based on the expectation that El Chapo would be present. There were already rumors -- which later became news -- about a wedding. The Day of Epiphany came. At 11:00 in the morning, some 200 motorcycles with seating for two riders arrived at Canelas. They carried men with black uniforms and hoods, with submachine guns on their shoulders and large caliber pistols on their belts. Little by little, they spread out to the town's ten entrances, including those used by horsemen. They placed themselves on all the streets. Then, the members of the band Los Canelos landed on the local air strip aboard five-seat airplanes; their job was to provide the entertainment. But they were also armed with weapons: they showed off pistols with gold grips. Hours later, at 4:30 p.m., six fixed wing aircraft landed . El Chapo descended from one of these. He wore jeans, jacket, cap and black leather athletic shoes. These had a white stripe. As if it was part of his clothing, he had an AK-47 "cuerno de chivo" assault rifle strapped across his chest and, on his waist, a pistol that matched his clothes. Behind him, his right hand stepped down from the same airplane;Nacho Coronel, originally from Canelas. Immediately, the rest of this most wanted drug trafficker's security team was deployed. From three other airplanes descended men wearing green clothing, similar to military uniforms; they were wearing vests and had radios attached to their chests. The operation was more ostentatious than that seen on presidential trips. The other two airplanes carried the weapons: grenades, cuernos de chivo, submachine guns and handguns. And innumerable cases of whiskey. Two helicopters began flying over the area; the operation was complete. In the town square, Los Canelos started the dance with Cruzando cerros y arroyos (Crossing Mountains and Streams), the song that El Chapoused to court Emma with. Cruzando cerros y arroyos /he venido para verte... (Across mountains and streams /I've come to see you..) Another verse: Eres flor, eres hermosa, /eres perfumada rosa /que ha nacido para mi. Acerca tu pecho al mio /y abrazame, que hace frio, /y asi sere mas feliz. (You're a flower, you are beautiful /you're a perfumed rose /who was born for me. Hold your breast close to mine /and embrace me because it's cold, /and I will be happier.) The proud girl from Angostura strolled around the town square, mixing with people and properly chaperoned. Her boyfriend's men would clear the way when he wanted to dance. The couple, like the song says, appeared happy. With all this security, the party should have been a success. Suddenly, from one side of the plaza, a man fired off a round, but El Chapo'sguards simply calmed him down. No fighting, those were their orders. That clueless person who tried to take a photograph was simply deprived of his camera. Afterwards, there was only the music and the noise associated with any big town dance. Of course, Emma's parents were there: Blanca Estela Aispuro Aispuro and Ines Coronel Barrera. In La Angostura, Ines was officially a cattleman, although those who know him know that his real strength is growing marijuana and amapola (opium poppies). Emma announced her wedding that day and, all during the dance, Coronel Barrera could not hide his pride at being related to such a powerful boss. There were few, but notorious, people. Some of the attendees say they recognized the former Sinaloa Attorney General, Alfredo Higuera Bernal, and the mayor of Canelas, Francisco Cardenas Gamboa, a PAN loyalist whose term ended August 31 and whose presence was explained with two versions: he was forced to attend, or, he is simply another member of El Chapo's organization.
In its Edition No. 1609, on September 2, 2007, Proceso published a report titled "Wedding in Durango...and the highest capo was married to Emma I". |
