*Updated Aug. 22, 2013*
Cancún, Quintana Roo -
Two powerful organized crime organizations operating along Mexico's lush Caribbean coast, Los Pelones and the Gulf Cartel, have entered into a strategic alliance to take on Los Zetas - perhaps the country's most vicious drug cartel. A regional reporter calls the situation in the tourist popular Riviera Maya a "brewing bloodbath," likely to affect both this city and Playa del Carmen just minutes south.
The Zetas have distinguished themselves both as successful international narcotics traffickers and highly competent executioners. Almost a year ago a former deputy attorney general, then in charge of Mexico's Office for Special Investigations of Organized Crime, said Yucatán state and half of Mexico belonged to the Zetas. Their professional trademarks include decapitations, "quarterings" of deceased victims and hanging competitors from bridges and other public locations.
Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel have a long history of grudges, often played out in full public view.
In recent months there is increasing evidence that the Zetas have shifted their operations southward, under pressure from Mexican troops who were dispatched to the front lines of the drug war six years ago by former president Felipe Calderón. In September the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that Los Zetas had become the "dominant force" in Central America, and had a foothold in nearby Belize. Calderón's National Security Strategy "had a profound impact on Central America," UNDOC concluded. But regional Los Zetas forces are still operating throughout Mexico.
The existence of the Gulf Cartel in the Yucatán peninsula, and particularly along the heavily tourism dependent Riviera Maya, was unknown until Sept. 30, when Gulf executioners left two bodies within blocks of all the major resorts - a first in the regional drug war (Two executed in Cancún hotel zone). "Red alert in tourist district," reported a local newspaper at the time.
Los Pelones, in contrast to Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel, is a much smaller regional gang, which began as an execution-for-hire group in Quintana Roo and later expanded to include drug trafficking and extortion in its criminal repertoire. But its diminutive size has not hindered brutal undertakings. The Pelones have carried out dozens of horrific murders in the past two years. MGRR has frequently reported on the group, predicting the all out conflict which now appears to have arrived (stories below).
Local press sources reported that the "declaration of war" against Los Zetas was announced in Cancún late Wednesday evening, via a narco manta - a handmade sign - displayed along a busy traffic way in the city. It said: "Important notice - We want to inform you that effective immediately, Los Pelones are no longer independent, but now belong to the honorable ranks of the Gulf Cartel."
City police quickly pulled down the sign, but word of its content spread rapidly. Mexican drug cartels and organized crime operators commonly use such bizarre notices, and they invariably follow through with their promises. Many expect the worst in the days ahead, as the Riviera Maya braces for what could be another very difficult year. With three vicious groups involved in a turf war, regional security forces will be taxed to the limit. It's not inconceivable that federal troops will have to police Cancún in 2013, which probably won't help its struggling economy (Cancún, no longer an oasis for most). Some businessmen and community leaders have called for military units on the streets.
The Sinaloa Cartel of El Chapo Guzmán, the most wanted drug trafficker in the world, is also said to be active in the Yucatán peninsula, which includes the Mexican states of Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo. In September a key Sinaloa boss was arrested in Mérida (Routine traffic stop yields Sinaloa Cartel "Boss of the Plaza" in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen).
Jan. 17 - Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, better known as Los Matazetas (the "Zeta killers"), have also allied themselves with Los Pelones and the Gulf Cartel in the regional war against Los Zetas in Quintana Roo. That's the conclusion of the American security consulting firm Stratfor, quoted in an article published today in the Mexican press. While the analysis is correct, it's hardly news. MGRR reported the Matazetas alliance with the other two groups last April 18: 50 Matazeta executioners in Cancún to "recover the plaza" for El Chapo Guzmán. The Matazetas are officially headquartered in Jalisco state, from where MGRR reports. They're causing plenty of trouble these days in Guadalajara and its environs, especially Zapopan, while they wage daily combat against archenemies Los Zetas.
Jan. 17 - An unknown group of self-proclaimed vigilantes posted a public warning in a prominent Cancún location yesterday morning, signing themselves "The Death Squadron." It said: "Attention: The people of Cancún are not alone. Gang members, extortionists and all those who fail to respect authority will be executed." Police quickly removed the sign, saying it had "no credibility."
A close brush with death for two young chapulines
Jan. 19 - Here's a story of literal last-minute salvation. Two teenagers who had been kidnapped from a nightclub moments before were rescued by military and police forces, just as four members of the Gulf Cartel were disposing of them in a remote wooded area of Cancún. The young men had been handcuffed and their faces tightly wrapped in industrial tape before they were tossed into the trunk of a taxi. They would have died from suffocation - a voguish manner of extermination with cartel sicarios - or perhaps just shot to death at another location (this article says the taxi was headed to Mérida). The story is short on the details of exactly how the rescuers located them, but one photo tells it all.
Some may be surprised that a taxi was involved in what was about to be brutal murders. But they're frequently used in all types of crimes in Mexico's drug war, including executions by hit squads.
Jan. 20 - Four suspects arrested yesterday in the kidnapping of two teenagers (details above) have confessed to being members of the Gulf Cartel - and to working with Los Pelones to "rid the plaza of Los Zetas." Let's not feel too sorry for the young men in the trunk, though. Today the always reliable Por Esto! reported that they were Zeta operators. The Gulf suspects have admitted to at least five previous executions, it says. If you're a U.S. travel agent trying to promote Spring Break reservations for Cancún, none of this will be happy news.
Jan. 21 - More developments are reported today in the case immediately above. The Quintana Roo state prosecutor now says that the four suspects have confessed that they are hired executioners - known as sicarios in this country - but were working for Los Zetas, not the Gulf Cartel. The two young victims they kidnapped and were preparing to dispatch when the police unexpectedly arrived were chapulines, or independent drug retailers. Chapulines are always targeted for elimination by major cartels, if they reject an offer to join the larger organization. That's what happened in this case. The Zeta sicarios admitted to a "large number" of executions of persons who violated local rules regulating drug sales, extortion and related criminal enterprises, according to the DA. Los Zetas control most crime in Cancún's hotel zone, and their orders must be strictly complied with, under penalty of death.
Mar. 10 - Two Cancún chapulines ran afoul of a drug cartel by daring to sell their own merchandise as independent vendors. They paid the price for entrepreneurship.
Mar. 19 - Expanding Gulf Cartel likely behind three recent Riviera Maya atrocities
Aug. 22 - Gulf Cartel executioners continue to eliminate chapulines from the plaza in Riviera Maya. They're offered one chance to sign up, and if they don't, this is what happens.
More on Yucatán and Quintana Roo regional violence
2013
Jan. 13 - Brutal Los Zeta and Los Pelones violence rolls on in Cancún: Encuentran a tercer ejecutado del año en Bonfil; No llegó al precio a "Los Pelones"
2012
Dec. 30 - Yucatán will seek a share of federal funds to beef up security in the state
Dec. 30 - Tourists victimized by common theft in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Dec. 26 - Cancún Int'l. Airport a "lawless" gateway for drug exports
Oct. 27 - Cancún police department infiltrated by narcotics traffickers and organized crime
Sept. 29 - Los Zetas are "dominant force" in Central America and have foothold in Belize, says U.N.
Sept. 27 - Cancún International Airport was used as key narcotics distribution hub by Beltrán-Leyva
July 20 - Machine gun fire in upscale Cancún mall terrifies hotel zone shoppers
June 22 - Playa del Carmen police officer executed, after hit men arrive by taxi
May 17 - Cancún Zetas extort even street vendors, and run sex trade, too - with INM help
May 1 - Brutal execution at Grand Oasis Cancún
April 29 - Los Pelones killer arrested in Cancún also may have been hit man for Los Matazetas
April 18 - 50 Matazeta executioners in Cancún to "recover the plaza" for El Chapo Guzmán
April 17 - Los Matazetas - the "Zeta killers" - may have arrived in Cancún, authorities fear
April 5 - Los Zetas executioner arrested near Hotel Oasis Cancún; hit team members captured
April 3 - Bodies of three narco execution victims dumped near Cancún-Mérida highway
April 2 - Los Pelones strike again in Riviera Maya
March 27 - Execution in Cancún hotel zone
2011
Dec. 31 - Hit man with Mérida connection arrested in Cancún; admits to 30 executions
Dec. 11 - Former municipal police officer in Playa del Carmen executed
Nov. 12 - U.S. intensely focused on Yucatán security in 2008-2009, diplomatic cables reveal
No comments:
Post a Comment