Los Matazetas are just a competing drug gang, says Mexican government

Mexico's new press secretary for national security matters, Alejandra Sota, says that Los Matazetas -- the self-proclaimed "Zeta Killers" who first surfaced a week ago via an internet posted video -- are just a competing organized crime group.

During a September 29 news conference Sota suggested that the Matazetas may want a share of the lucrative drug trade in Veracruz, and are prepared to challenge other cartels, principally Los Zetas, for the prime territory. In the widely shown video, Los Matazetas said their members were "anonymous, faceless fighters, proud to be Mexican." They referred to the public dumping of 49 bodies on Veracruz streets in late September, and said they were prepared to respond and extract vengeance on behalf of terrified citizens there.

Sota denied that Los Matazetas constitute a paramilitary force, and added that "insofar as the government can tell, Mexico does not have any group which could properly be called paramilitary." She also said the government doesn't believe Los Matazetas had anything to do with the murders of the dozens of victims in Veracruz.

Los Matazetas video uploaded to YouTube Sept. 24, 2011. The speaker says, "We are faceless warriors, and proudly Mexican."