In the wake of yesterday's discovery of 36 new bodies in Veracruz, Mexican Marines have captured eight member of the self-described Los Matazetas ("the Zeta killers"), as well as 12 members of the Los Zetas cartel itself. Significant leaders of both groups were said to be among the detained. The joint military operations were carried out over the past 24 hours in diverse locations in the formerly prominent resort on Mexico's Gulf coast.
The latest grisly discoveries were made Thursday (October 6) in three separate Veracruz locations, described as "safe houses" by law enforcement officials. The safe houses were presumably used by criminal organizations as places for holding and executing the victims, none of whom have yet been identified. In a public statement today a Marine official said that Los Matazetas "are linked" to the executions of the fist group of 35 bodies which were tossed out on a Veracruz street in late September (you can read that story here: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/09/horror-on-veracruz-street-35-bodies.html). The remaining question is whether they're also connected to yesterday's 36 victims.
The Matazetas became known to Mexican law enforcement authorities two weeks ago when their self-made video was posted on the internet. In the widely viewed recording, five hooded men dressed in black champion themselves and their members as vigilantes determined to counterattack the drug cartels, especially Los Zetas. But Mexican authorities say Los Matazetas is nothing more than another criminal organization, and perhaps a competing drug cartel. The group is also referred to as Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (the New Generation of Jalisco cartel).
Previous reports on Los Matazetas:
http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/09/mexicos-new-vigilantes-los-matas-zetas.html; and:
http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/10/los-matazetas-are-just-competing-drug.html.
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