*Updated Mar. 25*
Cancún, Quintana Roo -
The state motto of this tropical Caribbean paradise is the "Free and Sovereign State of Quintana Roo."
And while the words may conjure up patriotic sentiments, some might argue that the name bears little relationship to the reality of daily life in the gateway to Mexico's Riviera Maya.
On May 9, 2012, a 26 year old waitress - a single mom trying to make her way in life - was killed instantly by deadly .9 mm rounds when AK-47 wielding assassins arrived at the Sports Bar Harem 95 at 2:30 a.m. The target of the attack was Graham Anguiano Interián, a Los Zetas drug wholesaler who delivered narcotics to the bar almost every day. There is some evidence that local police might have had advance knowledge of the event. Attack on Cancún sports bar leaves young waitress dead.
On Sept. 30, the bodies of two men so badly brutalized that they had almost been decapitated were found in the city's supposedly impregnable hotel zone, prompting a local newspaper to headline the story, "Red alert in tourist district." The unidentified male victims were found near the entrance of a local theme park, the Wet 'n Wild, both with their throats slashed. A narcomensaje, or executioner's warning, was left nearby, signed by the Gulf Cartel. But prosecutors quickly pointed out that it could be a ruse, intended to mislead investigators. Two executed in Cancún hotel zone.
The day after Christmas, a large sign was left hanging along a busy traffic way in this city, signed by a small but particularly deadly gang, Los Pelones. The group, which specializes in murder for hire but also retails drugs, told the public, "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." Both have declared war on Los Zetas, one of Mexico's most powerful national (and international) cartels, and for years the unquestioned "boss of the plaza" in Cancún's hotel zone. Cartels unite against Zetas, foreshadowing Riviera Maya "bloodbath."
Now Quintana Roo's chief prosecutor says that the Gulf Cartel was behind the brutal hit at a local bar, La Sirenita, which left seven people dead last week. Machine gun attack on Cancún tavern. And there is increasing evidence, according to state's attorney Gaspar García Torres, that some Zeta members are defecting and going to work for the Gulf Cartel, illustrating the rapidity with which soldiers change sides in Mexico's drug war.
In the image above the 27 year old man on the right, known as "The Devil," ordered Thursday evening's hit at the Sirenita, according to authorities. He is a former Cancún city police officer, and he also once worked as a security escort for an interim mayor of this town.
El Diablo, the man's underworld name, began working for the Los Zetas cartel about 18 months ago, and was soon in charge of extortion in the hotel zone, routinely hitting up lodging establishments, bars and discotheques for the monthly derecho de piso - the "floor charge" or "rent." But because of his expertise with firearms and brief career as a law enforcement officer, El Diablo also supervised the training of Los Zetas soldiers and sicarios (execution squads) at a ranch outside the city limits.
El Diablo was closely acquainted with Graham Anguiano, the Los Zeta drug wholesaler who was the target of the attack on Sports Bar Harem 10 months ago. After that event El Diablo left town and went to Mexico City, where he laid low for several months. He knew the Gulf Cartel was responsible for the assault on Harem, and apparently he could read the handwriting on the wall. When El Diablo returned to Cancún he decided to shift allegiance and went to work for Los Zetas' sworn enemy. The move was purely pragmatic, and one which other Zetas may be making according to Q.R. prosecutor García, who contends there is evidence that control of the plaza is passing from Los Zetas to the Gulf Cartel.
In any case the sole purpose of the brutal attack on La Sirenita was to punish a taxi syndicate boss who had failed to pay extortion fees. He had been warned several times by Gulf Cartel operatives, but he insisted that he was "straight with Los Zetas" - the only cartel whose local authority he respected. That's exactly what got him, and several others by confusion, killed when the AK-47s unloaded their goat horn clips, as seven stunned victims sat sipping cold beers - the last of their lives.
Such is this country's endless drug war, as Spring Equinox 2013 knocks on sunny Mexico's door.
Mar. 22 - Although Yucatán peninsula safety is debatable, Gov. Borge insisted the region is the safest in Mexico, even as its primary tourist destination was placed under special security alert.
Mar. 22 - Cancún under first "Red Alert" in its history
Mar. 25 - According to the reliable regional newspaper Por Esto, Los Zetas completely dominate the taxi industry in Cancún's hotel zone, providing "all facilities" for drivers provided they in turn agree to peddle drugs in the area. The majority of customers undoubtedly are tourists and foreign nationals.
Apr. 14 - Eight found executed in Cancún; taxi drivers with links to Gulf Cartel suspected
© 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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