Mexico's secretary of national defense says that 41,000 criminal suspects have been arrested since Felipe Calderón declared war against the country's powerful drug cartels exactly five years ago, in December 2006. The government has not issued an official death toll in recent months, but estimates range from 40-60 thousand. A statement issued today in Mexico City claims that the detentions were carried out "with full respect for human rights and the preservation of life, through the use of reasonable force."
Other drug war statistics issued by Mexico in recent days indicate that nationwide, about 45,000 soldiers are now engaged full-time in anti-narcotics trafficking or organized crime operations. The Calderón administration says the Mexican troops have been the subject of 1,971 attacks since the offensive began.
Some numbers released by the government today are sure to provoke controversy. Mexico's military has been accused of numerous human rights violations during the five year old drug war. Officials say that to date, 5,962 complaints have been filed with the country's national human rights commission, and that 86% of the cases have been fully investigated and closed, with just under 14% still awaiting resolution. Only 92 cases, says the government, have resulted in a finding of misconduct by the military - a rate of 1.54%.
Although many will no doubt reject that claim, Human Rights Watch issued a November 9 report on alleged Mexican military abuses which was undoubtedly much milder than many had expected. http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/11/human-rights-watch-condemns-abuses.html. The report said that it had accounted for 24 unlawful killings, 39 disappearances and 170 acts of torture attributable to Mexican troops. Given the overall drug war death toll (50,000), and the extreme levels of violence which are daily events here, the findings struck me as rather anemic, although certainly worthy of condemnation.
Cocaine boss with El Chapo Guzmán connection apprehended in Mexico City airport
Luis Rodríguez Olivera, a major cocaine exporter with alleged connections to the powerful Sinaloa Cartel headed by Enrique "El Chapo" Guzmán, was arrested by security forces yesterday (Dec. 27) in the Mexican City airport. It was the second big catch for the Calderón administration in the last five days. On Dec. 23 the man who is said to be the chief of El Chapo's personal security detail, as well as a key operative in the organization, was arrested in Culiacán, in Sinaloa state. http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/key-aid-to-el-chapo-guzman-arrested.html.
American officials have offered a different assessment of Rodríguez Olivera's affiliation. They say he left the Sinaloa Cartel in 2005, tried to establish his own organization and then eventually partnered with Los Zetas. In any case Rodríguez Olivera, 39, is wanted on federal court warrants issued in New York in May 2010. The U.S. had offered a $5 million bounty for his arrest. He gave a false name when questioned in the airport yesterday, but authorities soon ascertained his true identify.
Law enforcement officials say that Rodríguez Olivera has moved tons of cocaine into the United States across the Texas border. He will face federal charges of narcotics trafficking, money laundering and organized crime activity. Rodríguez Olivera will be held in Mexican custody while a U.S. extradition request is processed, which typically takes months.
No comments:
Post a Comment