*Updated May 14*
Guadalajara -
The State of Jalisco Secretary of Tourism, José de Jesús Gallegos Álvarez, was assassinated about 3:15 p.m. today in the suburban community of Zapopan.
Gallegos was shot at the intersection of Acueducto and Avenida Patria. The area is northwest of central Guadalajara and Colonia Americana.
Initial reports from the scene indicate that Gallegos, who was in his car, was chased by multiple assailants traveling in "luxury SUVs," a type of vehicle commonly used by drug cartel and organized crime operatives.
They fired several times at Gallegos' car, according to police and witnesses, and blocked his path. A reporter said 25 or 30 ejected shells were on the ground close to where Gallegos' car came to a halt.
Soon after police stopped an unlicensed vehicle similar to the attackers' several blocks away. Four men were taken into custody. A national news network reported that no firearms were in the vehicle.
Zapopan is a sprawling county which surrounds much of Guadalajara. Together, Zapopan and the city proper comprise the GMZ - the Guadalajara Metro Zone.
A "red alert" has been issued for the entire GMZ.
The area of the attack is in the upper left corner
Zapopan has been the scene of frequent drug war and organized crime violence. On Feb. 8 a Poncitlán police chief was executed in front of his suburban home there. Poncitlán is near Lake Chapala, southeast of the GMZ. Area police chief executed in Guadalajara Metro Zone.
Security experts on both sides of the border have predicted for months that Guadalajara would become a new drug war hot zone. Recent events have given those prognostications credibility.
Oct. 23 - Crime gangs which are replacing drug cartels will be difficult to track and fight
Jun. 22 - Mexican drug cartels will likely morph into "super gangs," says U.S. security firm
On Feb. 4 Jalisco's chief prosecutor said competing drug cartels and crime gangs are "heating up the plaza" in Guadalajara and its environs - a reference to fighting for control of narcotics trafficking, drug sales and collateral criminal enterprises. All the familiar weapons used in latest execution of Jalisco police chief.
Via Twitter and social media accounts, Jalisco governor Aristoteles Sandoval and Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto expressed their consternation and sympathy over the death of Gallegos, 47, who'd held his post as state tourism secretary for less than two weeks.7:00 p.m. - Despite the stereotypical facts of the murder and law enforcement acknowledgement that Gallegos was killed by .9 mm rounds (commonly used in narco executions), state authorities said in a press conference moments ago that they don't believe the case "had anything to do with organized crime." The motive, according to them, may have been a "private business dispute" in which Gallegos was involved before he was appointed secretary of tourism. If that turns out to be true, it will mirror what happened to a Belgian businessman in Acapulco on Feb. 23. Murder of Belgian national in bustling Acapulco tourist district further damages an already tarnished image.
Mar. 10 - Four men detained yesterday in connection with the execution of Jalisco tourism secretary Gallegos remain in custody. Authorities are conducting tests to determine if any of them had fired a weapon before their arrest, which occurred minutes after the murder. Colinas de San Javier, where the crime was committed, is described as one of the GMZ's "most prestigious" neighborhoods. An article published in this morning's El Informador includes a graphic explaining how the events unfolded.
3:00 p.m. The suspects have been released, after gunshot residue tests were negative. Investigators told a press conference they have no other suspects at this time. Gallegos was the subject of another attack several years ago according to press accounts.
Mar. 12 - Authorities admitted at a press conference yesterday that they have almost no clues in this case, despite taking formal statements from 40 witnesses. An interesting point: it was revealed that Gallegos' immediate family moved to Texas about a year ago because of repeated threats they had received. Prosecutors continue to argue that the case had "nothing to do with organized crime." The claim seems silly. It may have had nothing to do with narco crime, but when a person is chased and executed on a busy thoroughfare in a good neighborhood at 3:00 p.m. by multiple gunmen travelling in at least two vehicles, and when that person's family was forced to abandon their own country for fear, most reasonable investigators would regard the case as an organized crime hit. Meanwhile, the state government says no extra security measures will be taken to protect Jalisco officials.
May 6 - Murdered tourism secretary led the royal life in Houston, but met his demise in Guadalajara
May 14 - Four persons are in custody in connection with the March 9 attack, authorities announced yesterday. A fifth man, described as a pilot retired from the Mexican Air Force, was arrested Mar. 26. He served on Gallegos' personal security detail, and investigators theorize he may have transmitted information to the unidentified gunmen. Drug cartels behind three recent Guadalajara attacks.
Feb. 11 - Another Jalisco police officer executed near Manzanillo
Jan. 8 - More attacks on Jalisco police; state homicides increase
Nov. 30 - Commando squad attacks Guadalajara suburban police unit, leaving two officers dead
Oct. 18 - Guadalajara area police commander in grave condition after organized crime hit
Oct. 14 - Bus driver executions surge in Guadalajara, but why?
Oct. 11 - Jalisco homicides remain unabated in September
Sept. 6 - Six murders in 12 hours alarm Guadalajara metro and suburbs
Mar. 7 - U.S. security consultant Stratfor urges tourist caution throughout Mexico
Mar. 1 - 100 police officers and soldiers killed in PRI's first 90 days
Feb. 1 - Human Rights Watch criticism of Mexican drug war reveals little understanding of conflict
Feb. 19 - NY Times figures out in Mexican drug war, Enrique Peña Nieto = Felipe Calderón Hinojosa.
Jan. 7 - Peña Nieto: no option but to follow Calderón strategy, says Stratfor
© MGRR 2013. All rights reserved. This article may be cited or briefly quoted with proper attribution or a hyperlink, but not reproduced without permission.
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