by Bernd Debusmann, Jr.
[This article updates a version that was published on our web site a week ago, but after the email edition had already been distributed. It includes Mexico drug war information from the last two weeks, as opposed to the usual one week.]
Mexican drug trafficking organizations make billions each year smuggling drugs into the United States, profiting enormously from the prohibitionist drug policies of the US government. Since Mexican president Felipe Calderon took office in December 2006 and called the armed forces into the fight against the so-called cartels, prohibition-related violence has killed more than 36,000 people, including more than 15,000 last year. The increasing militarization of the drug war and the arrest of dozens of high-profile drug traffickers have failed to stem the flow of drugs -- or the violence -- whatsoever. The Merida initiative, which provides $1.4 billion over three years for the US to assist the Mexican government with training, equipment and intelligence, has so far failed to make a difference. Here are a few of the latest developments in Mexico's drug war:
Prohibition creates an endless supply of hot guns and cold cash. (Image via Wikimedia)
In Zapopan, Jalisco, a senior police commander and his wife were shot and killed [15] when his vehicle was ambushed by heavily armed gunmen. Jesus Quirarte Ruvalcaba was the commander of a state police unit which specializes in car thefts. Car theft in Mexico is often related to or controlled by drug trafficking organizations.
In Houston, Texas, a police officer was wounded [16] after being shot in a raid on the home of a suspect with ties to a Mexican drug cartel. The officer is in good condition. A suspect was also wounded after being hit by gunfire and is in good condition.
In Saltillo, Coahuila, a former governor admitted [17] that the previous PRI administration had controlled and negotiated with drug trafficking organizations, which kept violence manageable. Former Nuevo Leon Governor Socrates Rizzo is the first former PRI official to speak this openly about party deals with drug trafficking organizations, although it has long been well-known in Mexico.
Saturday, February 26
In Torreon, Coahuila, 13 people were died and at least 18 were wounded [18] in two separate attacks on bars in the city.
Sunday, February 27
In Saltillo, Coahuila, a Zeta commander was captured [19]. He is alleged to be connected to the incident in which two American ICE agents were shot -- with one killed -- in early February. Sergio "El Toto" Mora is accused by Mexican authorities of being the regional Zetas commander in the state of San Luis Potosi. At least nine other arrests have been made in connection with the shooting of the ICE agents.
In Ciudad Juarez, 11 people were killed in several incidents [20] in the city. In one incident, five men were killed when gunmen attacked a bar the Colonia Villa Esperanza area of the city. In another part of the city, a man was found murdered in a house where we had apparently been held hostage.
Monday, February 28
In Juarez, eight people were murdered [21] in several attacks across the city. In one incident, four people, including a ten-year old boy, were killed when their car was attacked by gunmen. A five-year was severely wounded. Saturday's killings bring the total number of dead in the city to approximately 229 for the month of February, 36 percent are females. This is about a 40 percent increase over the same time period of 2010.
In Dallas, Texas, three suspects were arrested [22] after police linked them to the weapon used in the recent killing of an American ICE agent in San Luis Potosi.
In Chilpancingo, Guerrero, a police chief was ambushed [23] by gunmen armed with AK-47s. The police chief, Humberto Velazquez Delgado, was wounded and four of his bodyguards were killed. Approximately 400 shell casing from AK-47 rounds were found at the scene.
Tuesday, March 1
In Guerrero, 17 bodies were discovered in two clandestine graves near the town [24] of San Miguel Totolapan. This is the third time mass graves have been discovered in Guerrero in less than a year. Additionally, four bodies were found dumped on the highway between the coastal city of Acapulco and Mexico City.
In Tamaulipas, eight gunmen were killed [25] in a fire-fight with Mexican marines near the town of Valle Hermoso, which is close to the US border.
In Washington, a top law enforcement officer announced [26] that 678 gang members, many of whom have ties to Mexican drug trafficking organizations, have been arrested during a two-month operation, called "Operation Southern Tempest." Approximately have the suspects -- which came from 113 different gangs around the country -- have ties to drug trafficking groups, and two-thirds are foreign nationals.
Wednesday , March 2
Near Phoenix, Arizona, police said [27] that the decapitation of a local man in October is related to Mexican cartel activity. Martin Alejandro Cota Monroy, 38, was allegedly killed by a three-man team for ripping off a 400-pound load of marijuana. One of his killers is in custody. According to police, Monroy first told the cartel that his load had been confiscated, and then, when they found out, offered his house as collateral until he could pay his debt. He was killed after they found out he didn't own the house. The killers are thought to have moved in next door to befriend Monroy before killing him.
In Ciudad Juarez, nine people were murdered. [28]
Sunday, March 6
In Mexico City, Mexican officials asked for clarification [29] on an ATF operation which allowed American guns to flow to Mexico in an effort to track the supply lines of weapons to Mexican cartels. Among the guns were two AK-47's that were used in the attack on the ICE agents in February.
In Ciudad Juarez, 13 people were murdered [30] in several incidents across the city. At least three of the incidents had more than one victim. In one attack, three men were killed after gunmen sprayed a bar -- which is within sight of the US consulate -- with gunfire. Four others were wounded. In another incident, five people, including one woman, were found executed. These killings bring the death toll in Juarez for the first six days of March to 31. The total for the year is 494, including at least 55 females.
Monday, March 7
In Abasolo, Tamaulipas, a gun battle between rival cartel gunmen left 18 people dead. [31] The battle was almost certainly between members of the Gulf Cartel and their former enforcers, the Zetas, who have been at war for just over a year now.
Near Guasave, Sinaloa, gunmen attacked a police convoy, [32] killing seven police officers and one prisoner. The attack was an apparent attempt to rescue one or both of two prisoners who were being transported to the state capitol of Culiacan. Over 1,200 rounds were fired during the attack.
Tuesday, March 8
In Chilpancingo, Guerrero, three government offices were attacked by assailants [33], who doused the offices in gasoline and set them on fire. The motive for the attack is unclear, but the area has high levels of drug related violence.
In Texas, officials announced that the 20-year old female police chief of the Mexican town of Praxedis G. Guerrero is seeking asylum in the United States, apparently after having received threats. Marisol Valles Garcia made international headlines when she took the job [34]. The local government has fired her for abandoning her post. Local police will answer to the Mayor until a replacement can be found.
In Mazatlan, Sinaloa, armed men attacked a nightclub [35] with automatic weapons. At least twenty people were wounded in the attack. The gunmen managed to escape, despite the fact that police and army units were nearby
Wednesday, March 9
In San Luis Potosi, Mexican authorities arrested [36] another suspected Zeta thought to be involved in the February 15 incident in which a US ICE agent was killed. Mario Jimenez Perez, 41, is alleged by Mexican authorities to be in charge of Zeta financial operations in San Luis Potosi, where the attacks took place.
Total Body Count for last Week: 88
Total Body Count for this Week: 52
Total Body Count for the Year: 1,315
Total Body Count for 2010: 15,273
Total Body Count for 2009: (approx.) 9,600
Total Body Count for 2008 (approx.): 5,400
Total Body Count for 2007 (approx): 4,300
Total Body Count for Calderon's drug war through 2010: 34,849
Total Body Count for Calderon's drug war to date: 36,164