27-05-2009, 03:11 PM
Juarez Mexico Border War heating up again:
SOURCE: (TF7 Field report)
MEXICO MILITARY SECURITY MEMO: MAY 26, 2009
XXXXXXXX TO : JSOC Latin America Desk xxxxx XXXXXXXXXXXXX report:
"..... Government Admits Areas Lost to Organized Crime
This past week, several news organizations in Mexico published excerpts from a forthcoming Mexican government report that acknowledges something STRATFOR has asserted for some time: namely, that certain areas of the country are outside the federal government's control. The Interior Secretariat (Segob) prepared the document, reportedly titled "Plan for National Security 2009-2012," as a general framework for confronting a range of issues throughout the next few years.
According to news accounts, the plan's objectives include promoting the recovery of spaces "illegitimately co-opted by third parties, subverting constitutional order." The plan also proposes recovering "full control in territories endemically affected by criminal activity," with a statement that regions most affected by organized crime require a comprehensive response that includes social, political, judicial and security measures.
Although the report does not specify the territories and regions it refers to, STRATFOR has observed in the past that Mexico's border areas have been the historic home of the country's most noteworthy criminal groups. While drug trafficking and organized crime exists throughout the country, the Mexican drug cartels that have amassed the most power over the years nearly all have originated in Mexican cities along the U.S. border. It is in these areas where many of the effects of organized crime -- corruption, lawlessness, impunity, insecurity -- are most salient. In addition, the distance between these areas and Mexico City contributes to the federal government's challenge of exerting control and imposing order.
This fact -- that only the drug cartels with direct access to the U.S. border have emerged as national and international criminal powers -- is not the result of coincidence or luck, but rather is explained by the geography of the drug trade in Mexico and the United States. Understanding this explanation also makes clear the tremendous challenge faced by the Mexican government as it attempts to accomplish the goals laid out in its national security plan. Simply put, no amount of focused social, political or security measures will succeed in resolving the fundamental reasons that organized crime has thrived in this area of the country. Moreover, the effect of such measures will likely be marginal in the long term, with the best outcome the disruption or dismantling of a specific criminal group (though another group can be expected to fill the gap quickly).
Meanwhile, it is significant that Segob has acknowledged that there are parts of the country outside of Mexico City's control -- a condition considered by many to be an indicator of a failed or failing state. The statement's inclusion in this report should be viewed more as a political development than a change in the country's ability to govern itself, given that Mexico's security crisis has existed for several years now.
May 18
Police in La Union, Guerrero state, found the beheaded bodies of three unidentified men inside a taxi on the side of a road near the border with Michoacan state. Their severed heads were later found inside a cooler with a note that read in part, "here are your informants." Authorities believe the victims may have been soldiers.
The charred body of an unidentified man was found with several gunshot wounds in San Juan Nuevo, Michoacan state.
Authorities in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, discovered the body of an unidentified man bound at the hands with two gunshot wounds in the head.
May 19
A firefight between police officers and alleged drug traffickers in Tancitaro, Michoacan state, prompted several army units and nearby police forces to send reinforcements.
An official from the Durango state attorney general's office was wounded after several assailants following her in a taxi in Durango, Durango state, shot her twice.
May 20
Mexican army forces captured alleged Gulf cartel member Nelson "El Luchador" Garza Lozano, after a firefight in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas state. Three local police officers also were arrested on suspicions they were protecting Garza.
Four people died in separate organized crime-related violence in Tijuana, Baja California state, including one business owner killed when he attempted to prevent his brother from being kidnapped.
May 21
At least two police officers were wounded when several gunmen attacked their patrol vehicle outside a police building in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state.
Authorities in Torreon, Coahuila state, announced the firing of more than 300 police officers -- approximately one-third of the police force -- for failing a variety of requirements and exams.
May 22
The public security secretary of Zacatecas state announced his resignation in the wake of the state's May 16 prison break.
May 23
The bodies of two unidentified men were found bound at the wrists and bearing signs of torture in Taretan, Michoacan state.
A three-week old infant died when several men armed with assault rifles attacked his family while driving in Chihuahua, Chihuahua state.
May 25
Mexican army forces exchanged gunfire with several armed men at a synthetic drug manufacturing site in San Diego de Alejandria, Jalisco state, eventually detaining seven suspects.
The bodies of seven unidentified people were found inside a vehicle at a ranch in Othon P. Blanco, Quintana Roo state....".
SOURCE: (TF7 Field report)
MEXICO MILITARY SECURITY MEMO: MAY 26, 2009
XXXXXXXX TO : JSOC Latin America Desk xxxxx XXXXXXXXXXXXX report:
"..... Government Admits Areas Lost to Organized Crime
This past week, several news organizations in Mexico published excerpts from a forthcoming Mexican government report that acknowledges something STRATFOR has asserted for some time: namely, that certain areas of the country are outside the federal government's control. The Interior Secretariat (Segob) prepared the document, reportedly titled "Plan for National Security 2009-2012," as a general framework for confronting a range of issues throughout the next few years.
According to news accounts, the plan's objectives include promoting the recovery of spaces "illegitimately co-opted by third parties, subverting constitutional order." The plan also proposes recovering "full control in territories endemically affected by criminal activity," with a statement that regions most affected by organized crime require a comprehensive response that includes social, political, judicial and security measures.
Although the report does not specify the territories and regions it refers to, STRATFOR has observed in the past that Mexico's border areas have been the historic home of the country's most noteworthy criminal groups. While drug trafficking and organized crime exists throughout the country, the Mexican drug cartels that have amassed the most power over the years nearly all have originated in Mexican cities along the U.S. border. It is in these areas where many of the effects of organized crime -- corruption, lawlessness, impunity, insecurity -- are most salient. In addition, the distance between these areas and Mexico City contributes to the federal government's challenge of exerting control and imposing order.
This fact -- that only the drug cartels with direct access to the U.S. border have emerged as national and international criminal powers -- is not the result of coincidence or luck, but rather is explained by the geography of the drug trade in Mexico and the United States. Understanding this explanation also makes clear the tremendous challenge faced by the Mexican government as it attempts to accomplish the goals laid out in its national security plan. Simply put, no amount of focused social, political or security measures will succeed in resolving the fundamental reasons that organized crime has thrived in this area of the country. Moreover, the effect of such measures will likely be marginal in the long term, with the best outcome the disruption or dismantling of a specific criminal group (though another group can be expected to fill the gap quickly).
Meanwhile, it is significant that Segob has acknowledged that there are parts of the country outside of Mexico City's control -- a condition considered by many to be an indicator of a failed or failing state. The statement's inclusion in this report should be viewed more as a political development than a change in the country's ability to govern itself, given that Mexico's security crisis has existed for several years now.
May 18
Police in La Union, Guerrero state, found the beheaded bodies of three unidentified men inside a taxi on the side of a road near the border with Michoacan state. Their severed heads were later found inside a cooler with a note that read in part, "here are your informants." Authorities believe the victims may have been soldiers.
The charred body of an unidentified man was found with several gunshot wounds in San Juan Nuevo, Michoacan state.
Authorities in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, discovered the body of an unidentified man bound at the hands with two gunshot wounds in the head.
May 19
A firefight between police officers and alleged drug traffickers in Tancitaro, Michoacan state, prompted several army units and nearby police forces to send reinforcements.
An official from the Durango state attorney general's office was wounded after several assailants following her in a taxi in Durango, Durango state, shot her twice.
May 20
Mexican army forces captured alleged Gulf cartel member Nelson "El Luchador" Garza Lozano, after a firefight in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas state. Three local police officers also were arrested on suspicions they were protecting Garza.
Four people died in separate organized crime-related violence in Tijuana, Baja California state, including one business owner killed when he attempted to prevent his brother from being kidnapped.
May 21
At least two police officers were wounded when several gunmen attacked their patrol vehicle outside a police building in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state.
Authorities in Torreon, Coahuila state, announced the firing of more than 300 police officers -- approximately one-third of the police force -- for failing a variety of requirements and exams.
May 22
The public security secretary of Zacatecas state announced his resignation in the wake of the state's May 16 prison break.
May 23
The bodies of two unidentified men were found bound at the wrists and bearing signs of torture in Taretan, Michoacan state.
A three-week old infant died when several men armed with assault rifles attacked his family while driving in Chihuahua, Chihuahua state.
May 25
Mexican army forces exchanged gunfire with several armed men at a synthetic drug manufacturing site in San Diego de Alejandria, Jalisco state, eventually detaining seven suspects.
The bodies of seven unidentified people were found inside a vehicle at a ranch in Othon P. Blanco, Quintana Roo state....".