Down Mexico Way

I’ve been tracking interesting developments in Mexico where the drug gang fueled violence and associated crime continues to escalate. There is little doubt in my mind that “terrorist” tactics are increasingly being used, and the concomitant complexity of politics intimidated or suborned by drug money obfuscates and prevents solutions. Here’s some flavours:

A criminal group have been charged with stealing oil from Pemex pipelines. Doesn’t sound too bad? Well they stole $46million worth of fuel, ran 149 bank accounts and actually sold the stuff to US refineries, running the stuff across the border.

Apparently the criminal gang paid of a branch of the “Gulf cartel” who control activity in the area, to be allowed to conduct “business”. This particular branch of the Gulf cartel is enforced by a sub group called the "Zetas"

The Zetas allegedly consist of ex military special forces who decided that they could be better remunerated working for the bad guys. The Zetas intimidate by beheading anyone who challenges them. They are headed by former soldier Heriberto Lazcano whose military code sign was Z3.

In one audacious move last year, Lazcano ordered Zetas to hang banners from bridges in towns near the Texan border that openly advertised for troops to desert and join them.

The Zetas main enemy seems not to be the government , but an opposing drug cartel led by Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, Mexico's top drug fugitive.

2500 people have been killed this year. 6,800 were killed last year. Recently 1000 priests who criticized the violence have been threatened and one was killed last week.

In the border town of Nogales, tunnels like those used by the Palestinians at Rafah cross the border underground allowing drugs and people to cross. 16 tunnels have been found in the last 8 months. Interestingly the tunnels link to the US side drainage and sewerage system allowing multiple exits.

The military have been tasked to root out drug fueled corruption in the police, arresting 80 policemen in Monterrey last month.