31 August 2009

F
M Latin America Military and
S Security Watch
Table of Contents

O MEXICO
SPECIAL INTEREST
Foreign Military Studies BORDER SECURITY AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Office
731 McClellan Ave
Fort Leavenworth, KS
66027
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Use of these articles does not
reflect official endorsement.
Reproduction for private use
or gain is subject to original
copyright restrictions.
This report is a compilation of
extract translations of Mexican
open source information
and not evaluated intelligence.
The complete articles in
Spanish are available from
FMSO-JRIC.
Cuban Escapee Detained Near Migration Facility in Chetumal, Chiapas
– 26 August 2009
Mexican Navy Ship under Quarantine in Manzanillo, Colima – 26
August 2009
ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING
Two Female Police Officers Killed in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 26
August 2009
Shootout between Police and Gunmen in Camargo, Chihuahua – 25
August 2009
Four Dead Bodies with Letter “Z” Carved into their Foreheads Found in
Villa Jimenez, Michoacan – 27 August 2009
Threatening Narco Message Left in Guanajuato, Guanajuato – 26
August 2009
Four Metric Tons of Ephedrine Seized in Buenos Aires, Argentina,
Reportedly Property of Los Zetas – 25 August 2009
PGJE Agents Disarmed and Stripped Naked by Gunmen in Durango –
26 August 2009
Agricultural Leader Kidnapped in Ayutla, Guerrero – 27 August 2009
MILITARY
Soldiers Free Kidnapped Civilian in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 25
August 2009
Seven Gunmen Arrested in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 25 August 2009
Military Seizes Largest Meth Lab in the History of Baja California – 26
August 2007
FEDERAL POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Three Police Killed in Shootout in El Salto, Durango – 26 August 2009
PGR has arrested Some 4,000 Suspected Drug Traffickers in Veracruz –
27 August 2009
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 31 August 2009

Federal Police Destroy Six Marijuana Fields in Chihuahua – 26 August

2009
Federal Police Officers Arrest One and Seize 15 Containers with Illegal
Substances in Michoacan – 27 August 2009
Durango May Allow Armed Prison Personnel – 26 August 2009
Kidnapping Group Dismantled in Chihuahua – 25 August 2009
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Spends $(MXN) 170 Million a Year on
Police – 26 August 2009
GOVERNMENT
INSTABILITY/CIVIL UNREST
Femicide Statistics in Guerrero – 27 August 2009
CORRUPTION
SIEDO Moves Four Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua Police Officers to
Mexico City for Investigation – 26 August 2009
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
Coahuila Representatives Visit China Seeking Investment – 25 August
2009
Mexico Injects $(USD) 300,000,000.00 into the Mexican Economy to
Support the Mexican Peso – 27 August 2009
CENTRAL AMERICA
PCD Officers Seize 20 Kilograms of Cocaine in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
– 27 August 2009
El Salvador International Airport Police Seize $(USD) 45,000.00 from a
U.S. Resident – 26 August 2009
CARIBBEAN
SOUTH AMERICA
Venezuelan Naval Personnel Seizes 1,049 Kilos of Cocaine from Vessel
Bound for Honduras – 26 August 2009

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 31 August 2009

MEXICO
SPECIAL INTEREST
BORDER SECURITY AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Cuban Escapee Detained Near Migration Facility in Chetumal, Chiapas – 26 August 2009
Federal immigration agents detained Joel Cruz Celier, one of two Cuban fugitives from the Chetumal
[18.5000 -88.3000], Quintana Roo, immigration station. He is part of the group of eight who managed to
escape from the immigration station days ago. Local authorities reported that the only one still missing is
Andray Pimienta Cruz. So far, this is the fifth escape recorded in Chetumal. However, immigration
authorities are struggling to point out that this is an isolated event.

Spanish Source:
http://periodistasquintanaroo.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11238&Itemid=2

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Mexican Navy Ship under Quarantine in Manzanillo, Colima – 26 August 2009

Mexico's Navy recently quarantined one of its own ships
identified as “Breton,” which is now anchored in Las Brisas
area, in the port of Manzanillo [19.0500 -104.3333], Colima.
This quarantine occurred after after nine of its crewmen
displayed symptoms of influenza infection A/H1N1. The
Navy is maintaining total secrecy on the situation, although
unofficial sources state that the virus reached the vessel when
one of the sailors returned ill after vacation.

There are an increasing number of A/H1N1 cases in Colima, as reported by the National Institute of
Diagnostic and Epidemiological Reference (INDRE). In the last count conducted on 25 August, it
confirmed 25 new cases, thereby increasing the figure to 476 cumulative cases of this disease. The State
Health Secretary, Jose Salazar Aviña, indicated that of 25 newly reported cases within Colima State, 15
are in Colima, six in Villa de Alvarez [19.2500 -103.7333], two in Armeria [18.9333 -103.9667], and one
is in Comala [19.3167 -103.7500].

Spanish Source:
http://www.colimanoticias.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5848:en-cuarentena-
tripulantes-de-un-buque-de-la-marina-en-manzanillo&catid=1:Ultimas%20Noticias

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ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING

Two Female Police Officers Killed in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 26 August 2009
Two female police officers were killed in separate events in Ciudad Juarez [30.3166 -108.0833],
Chihuahua, during a one hour time period on 26 August 2009. The first event took place in the San
Antonio neighborhood, where gunmen shot the officer as she left her home. The second incident was at
the intersection of Los Aztecas Avenue and Maria Alvarez Street, where the officer was shot by gunmen.

Comment: Until recently, criminal gangs in Mexico have avoided targeting female police officers. It is
unclear if this is a new trend or if the officers were selected based on their involvement in investigations.

Spanish source: http://www.segundoasegundo.com/html/33948_0_1_0_M.html

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Shootout between Police and Gunmen in Camargo, Chihuahua – 25 August 2009

Two Municipal Public Security police officers were injured and one died after a shootout with gunmen on
Bocanegra and Gonzalez Ortega Streets in Camargo [27.6666 -105.1666], Chihuahua. The gunmen
utilized a black Blazer in the attack, which was found abandoned nearby. In order to flee the scene, they
forced a woman out of her Chevrolet truck.

Spanish source: http://www.elagoradechihuahua.com/Balacera-entre-policias-y-sicario,17115.html

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Four Dead Bodies with Letter “Z” Carved into their Foreheads Found in Villa Jimenez, Michoacan
– 27 August 2009
Public security officers found four individuals dead on Antonio Zavala Street in the Copandaro
neighborhood of Villa Jimenez [19.9167 -101.5833], Michoacan. All four of them had the letter Z carved
into their forehead with a knife and given this, it is believed they were killed by members of Los Zetas.
The now deceased individuals were identified as follows:
 Juan Viveros Rivera
 Javier Villicana
 Martin Martinez Ambriz
 Juan Viveros Ornelas

Spanish Source: http://www.cambiodemichoacan.com.mx/vernota.php?id=107843

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Threatening Narco Message Left in Guanajuato, Guanajuato – 26 August 2009

On 25 August 2009, Guanajuato authorities were notified of a narco message signed by Los Zetas which
was left in a car that was parked in the Pastita neighborhood of Guanajuato [21.0167 -101.2500],

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Guanajuato. The message threatens attacks on the University of Guanajuato, Independence Day parties,
and the International Cervantes Culture Festival.

However, the City Clerk, Eduardo Lopez Goerne, questions the authenticity of the message because
according to him, the message is very well written and without any spelling errors. He says this message
is not similar to any other message signed by Los Zetas, and for that reason, he believes that this may be a
bad joke from a student. The message left read as follows: “We will attack the Judicial Police, just like
we did at San Francisco del Rincon, the University of Guanajuato, the attacks on Independence Day, and
the Cervantes Culture Festival. Therefore, you should use ski masks you stupid police officers, we will
kill you with grenade explosions. Sincerely, Los Zetas Z-21, hitmen from the Escorpion group of
Tamaulipas, Tco”.

Spanish Source: http://www.proceso.com.mx/noticias_articulo.php?articulo=71760

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Four Metric Tons of Ephedrine Seized in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Reportedly Property of Los
Zetas – 25 August 2009
According to Argentinean law enforcement data, the
owners of the four metric tons of ephedrine that had been
warehoused since 2008 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and
seized days earlier belongs to Los Zetas. It is reported
that the three individuals listed below entered the
country for the first time in April of 2008, and that after
that date, they entered an additional 15 times. Those
individuals believed to be Zeta members and the owners
of the seized drug have been identified as:
 Jose Angel MORA Zamora
 Jose Esteban TIRADO Lopez
 Ruben ASTORGA Bazua

Spanish Source:
http://www.online-911.com/leer.php?s=1&id=2151&t=La-pista-de-los-

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PGJE Agents Disarmed and Stripped Naked by Gunmen in Durango – 26 August 2009
A group of five PGJE agents were intercepted by an armed criminal group in Guadalupe Victoria
[24.4497 -104.1225], Durango. All of the agents were then forced to take off all their clothing and give
up their weapons. One of the officers managed to escape and ask for help from a nearby patrol.

Spanish source: http://www.elsiglodedurango.com.mx/noticia/226371.desarman-a-la-pgje.html

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Agricultural Leader Kidnapped in Ayutla, Guerrero – 27 August 2009

On 25 August 2009, Celedonio Solano, an agricultural leader in Ayutla [16.9000 -99.2167], Guerrero,
was kidnapped while he was working near the Tutepec farmhouse. The following morning, kidnappers
contacted his family and requested a ransom of $(MXN) 500,000 due by night time of the same day.
Solano’s family members did not report the kidnapping to the police, but rather contacted neighbors to
gather the ransom.

Comment: It is unknown if family members paid the ransom.

Spanish Source: http://www.diariodeguerrero.com.mx/CGI-

BIN/diariodegro/notipales/shownotipal.php?idnote=18424

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MILITARY
Soldiers Free Kidnapped Civilian in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 25 August 2009
Soldiers from the 2nd Artillery Regiment raided a shop at 3418 Rancho Las Aguilas in Ciudad Juarez
[30.3166 -108.8333], Chihuahua, in response to a local resident’s tip. At this location, they rescued a
victim that has not been identified at this time. No arrests were made during the raid.

Spanish source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php?id_art=2513

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Seven Gunmen Arrested in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 25 August 2009

Seven gunmen believed responsible for at least 36 murders in Chihuahua have been arrested in Ciudad
Juarez [30.3166 -108.8333], Chihuahua. Authorities caught the men in the Onix Nightclub, the
Amsterdam Bar, and the Motel Las Palmas in that city. These men have been identified as:
 Edgar Ivan MARTINEZ Chavez aka El Diez
 Sergio LEONEL aka El Goku or El 18
 Antonio ROMERO Sigala aka Kalimba
 Jose Luis PRIETO Chacon aka El Pelon
 Juan Francisco CUESTA Barron aka El Guero
 Juan Antonio MUNOZ Ceniceros aka El Gordo
 Juan Antonio CHAVARRIA Vaquera aka El Casper or El Chaparro

Seized from them were two AK-47 rifles, two 9mm pistols and ammunition.

Spanish source: http://www.elagoradechihuahua.com/Detienen-a-siete-peligros-sicarios,17129.html

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Military Seizes Largest Meth Lab in the History of Baja California – 26 August 2007
Military intelligence personnel provided information that led to the
seizure of what is believed to be the largest crystal meth lab in the
history of Baja California. Authorities located the laboratory in an
area known as El Halcon ranch. This location is about 40 minutes
from Ensenada [31.8667 -116.6167], Baja California, along an 11
kilometer dirt road with limited access. From this location,
authorities seized:
 72.5 kilograms of pure crystal meth
 140 liters of liquid crystal
 3 kilograms of raw crystal

Comment: There were no arrest made, but authorities did find remnants of a campsite, some religious
images, and religious crosses.

Spanish Source: http://www.notisistema.com/noticias/?p=209362

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FEDERAL POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

Three Police Killed in Shootout in El Salto, Durango – 26 August 2009
Three Municipal Public Security officers were killed in El Salto [26.1333 -105.6666], Durango, in a
shootout between police and a kidnapping gang. The officers were part of an effort to rescue two kidnap
victims that had been snatched by the gang minutes prior. The shootout also left one of the intended
kidnapping victims dead and the other wounded. The police officers responded to reports of the
kidnapping and pursued the trucks being used by the kidnappers.

Spanish source: http://www.lavozdedurango.com/noticias/policia/cuatro-muertos-en-enfrentamiento-tres-

son-policias-de-el-salto

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PGR has arrested Some 4,000 Suspected Drug Traffickers in Veracruz – 27 August 2009
According to a PGR report, there are between 700 to 1,000 people arrested yearly for health crimes in
Veracruz. According to the Federal Penal Code, a person is accused of a health crime when they
manufacture, produce, prepare, or refine a narcotic, or are involved with narcotics transportation by any
means, from any place to another, regardless of the weight or volume. Furthermore, it is a health crime
when a person is engaged in the narcotics trade by sale or transfer, or by providing them free or by false
prescriptions.

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A total of 4,325 suspected drug traffickers and street peddlers have been arrested in Veracruz over the last
four and half years by the Attorney General's Office (PGR). The yearly breakdown of these arrests is as
follows:
 702 in 2005
 1,121 in 2006
 900 in 2007
 1,015 in 2008
 586 in 2009 (as of August 2009)

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/622605.html

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Federal Police Destroy Six Marijuana Fields in Chihuahua – 26 August 2009

Federal Police officers located and destroyed six marijuana fields in the Huetosacachi village of Bocoyna
[27.8333 -107.5833], Chihuahua. These fields covered at surface area of approximately 7,000 square
meters. It is estimated that 27,800 plants measuring between .6 and .8 meters were destroyed in this
operation.

Spanish source:
http://www.ssp.gob.mx/portalWebApp/appmanager/portal/desk?_nfpb=true&T578001872412440415426
33_actionOverride=%2Fboletines%2FDetalleBoletin&_windowLabel=T57800187241244041542633&T
57800187241244041542633id=520392&_pageLabel=boletines

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Federal Police Officers Arrest One and Seize 15 Containers with Illegal Substances in Michoacan –
27 August 2009
Federal police officers arrested Vicente REYES Cano at the 133-00 kilometer mark of the Atlacomulco-
Morelia highway, along the Mexico State/Michoacan border. At the time of his arrest, REYES was
driving a red 2008 ford with EDOMEX plates in which he was transporting 15 containers with substances
such as acetone, toluene, and Asenlix psychotropic tablets.

Spanish Source: http://www.cambiodemichoacan.com.mx/vernota.php?id=107832

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Durango May Allow Armed Prison Personnel – 26 August 2009

The Public Security Secretary for the State of Durango has stated that a policy is under consideration to
allow prison workers to be armed. The policy change is in the wake of attacks on prison guards. This
measure, if approved, would provide more security, both inside and outside the prison. Several other
measures to protect the guards are under consideration, including requiring them to travel to and from the
prison in civilian attire instead of their uniforms.
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Spanish source: http://impreso.milenio.com/node/8630628

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Kidnapping Group Dismantled in Chihuahua – 25 August 2009

A group of kidnappers operating in Ciudad Juarez
[30.3166 -108.8333] and Chihuahua [28.6333 -106.0833],
Chihuahua, has been arrested by the Chihuahua PGJE.
The four gang members were identified as:
 Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ Miramontes aka El
Caballo
 Julio Cesar GARCIA Beroy aka Victor Hugo
TELLEZ Macias aka El Cien
 Luis Daniel RAMOS Valles aka La Berru or El
Grenas
 Martin HERNANDEZ Parada aka El Negro
The four men were traveling in a white 1991 Honda
Accord with license plate EDH4430 at the time of their arrest. Authorities seized a semi-automatic pistol
from them.

Spanish source: http://www.tiempo.com.mx/not_detalle.php?id_n=23187

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Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Spends $(MXN) 170 Million a Year on Police – 26 August 2009
The Municipal Government of Ciudad Juarez [30.3166 -108.0833], Chihuahua, has reported that the
budget for the new Municipal Police is estimated at $(MXN) 170 million a year. This budget will support
approximately 3,000 active officers.

Spanish source: http://www.elpueblo.com/chihuahua/ppal.cfm?num=224773

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GOVERNMENT
INSTABILITY/CIVIL UNREST
Femicide Statistics in Guerrero – 27 August 2009
The Director of the Women’s Secretariat (SEMUJER), Rosa Maria Gomez Saavedra, reported that the
State Attorney’s Office of Guerrero (PGJE) has only resolved 20% of the 300 femicides registered during
the last four years. To date in 2009, 40 female deaths have been reported in the State. According to
SEMUJER statistics, at least 80 are reported on a yearly basis. The majority of these femicides are a
consequence of domestic violence.

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Spanish Source:
http://www.lajornadaguerrero.com.mx/2009/08/27/index.php?section=sociedad&article=006n2soc

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CORRUPTION
SIEDO Moves Four Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua Police Officers to Mexico City for Investigation –
26 August 2009
Four Municipal Police officers under investigation for corruption are in the process of being taken from
Ciudad Juarez [30.3166 -108.0833], Chihuahua, to the Federal District as part of the ongoing
investigation by SIEDO. Information concerning the officers and specifics of their arrest has not been
released at this time.

Spanish source: http://www.tiempo.com.mx/not_detalle.php?id_n=23293

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SOCIO-ECONOMIC
Coahuila Representatives Visit China Seeking Investment – 25 August 2009
Representatives from Coahuila will be visiting China to discuss legal, mineral, and energy issues from 02-
09 September 2009. The visit is intended to facilitate Chinese investment in the state. One of the key
issues of discussion will be coal production.

Spanish source: http://www.elheraldodesaltillo.com/saltillo/p2_articleid/1514

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Mexico Injects $(USD) 300,000,000.00 into the Mexican Economy to Support the Mexican Peso – 27
August 2009
The Bank of Mexico injected an additional $(USD)
250,000,000.00 into the Mexican economy after the Mexican
peso lost nearly all the value it gained in August against the
dollar. This injection is in addition to the $(USD)
50,000,000.00 already used to stabilize the peso for a total of
$(USD) 300,000,000.00. The Mexican peso has lost value
three consecutive quarters in a row.

http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldetijuana/notas/n1301229.htm

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CENTRAL AMERICA
PCD Officers Seize 20 Kilograms of Cocaine in Guanacaste, Costa Rica – 27 August 2009
Officers from the Drug Control Police (PCD) arrested a Mexican national identified as DURAN Munoz
(last names), 31, after he was stopped at a check point on the Penas Blancas border [11.2167 -85.6333] in
Guanacaste, Costa Rica. DURAN Munoz was driving a white ford pickup with Mexican plates DA44633
at the time of his arrest. His nervous posture prompted officers to do a meticulous search of the vehicle
which led to the discovery of two double bottomed compartments in which DURAN was hiding 20
kilograms of cocaine. In addition to the drugs, officers seized the following items from him:
 $(USD) 305
 $(GTQ) 135 (Guatemalan quetzals)
 2 cell phones
 Thousands of colones (Costa Rican currency)

Spanish Source: http://www2.prensalibre.cr/pl/suceso/8077-mexicano-transportaba-cocaina-.html

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El Salvador International Airport Police Seize $(USD) 45,000.00 from a U.S. Resident – 26 August
2009
El Salvadoran law enforcement detained an individual and confiscated $(USD) 45,000.00 from him at the
La Aurora international airport. Police detained the individual after searching his luggage and
discovering the undeclared money. According to police the unidentified individual is a United States
resident who had stopped in El Salvador and destined for Los Angeles, California.

Spanish Source: http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2009/agosto/26/337786.html

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CARIBBEAN

SOUTH AMERICA
Venezuelan Naval Personnel Seizes 1,049 Kilos of Cocaine from Vessel Bound for Honduras – 26
August 2009
Venezuelan Naval personnel (FAN) seized 1,049 kilograms of cocaine from a ship that set sail from La
Guajira [11.9184 -71.9275], Colombia, and had a planned stop at San Andrés Island [12.5519 -81.7077],
Colombia, and an endpoint in Honduras. The Venezuelan Interior Minister, Tarek El Aissami, stated so
far in 2009, Venezuelan authorities have seized over 18 metric tons of cocaine, a figure that according to
the minister, has risen since 2005 when the government suspended work with the of U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA).

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Spanish Source: http://noticias.eluniversal.com/2009/08/26/pol_art_fan-decomiso-mil-59_1540438.shtml

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