Mexico's Drug War

"Some question US training of Mexican forces."

Here is an excerpt from Ramon Bracamontes' article in the El Paso Times:

"In the mid-1990s, the United States began training Mexico's soldiers in hopes of stopping the flow of drugs through Mexico and ending corruption. Some of those trained by U.S. forces   formed the Zetas, a criminal organization that works as assassins for one of the drug cartels fighting in Juárez, Mexican law enforcement officials said. Today, the United States is again trying to help Mexico with its drug-cartel problem, and part of the solution could include training Mexico's military and law enforcement officers... Given the history of the program, some question the effectiveness of that policy... Others agree, and as a prime example of training gone wrong, they point to the Zetas. The group was founded by Mexican army deserters, including officers trained by the United States at the military School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Ga. The Zetas, according to the Chihuahua attorney general's office, are thought to be behind some of the brutal killings in Juárez, which have surpassed 4,700 in two years... U.S. officials counter by saying that this time they would be doing more than just training soldiers. According to the latest proposals of phase two of the Merida Initiative, the United States would vet the Mexican soldiers who are to be trained. Previously, in the 1990s, the Mexican army chose those who came to the United States to train." Link to Full Article

Analysis: This article brings up an interesting point about the potential ramifications of Mexican soldiers and police undergoing training by US agencies. However, there are many distinctions between the situation with the GAFES soldiers who later became Zetas and the people who are going to be trained in the near future.

First, it's very important to understand that Mexican special forces (GAFES) soldiers who were trained at the School of the Americas (many of whom later became Zetas) were not being trained to fight DTOs inside Mexico. The Mexican army was given this mission by President Calderón when he came into office in 2006, so the training they received back then - and now being used against the Mexican military - did not have the same goals that present-day US training would have. Part of the problem the Mexican government is experiencing with all the allegations of human rights abuses by the military is that the army has not been well-trained to deal with narcos as adversaries. I'd like to think that any training provided by US agencies to Mexican soldiers would focus on tactics specific to counterdrug efforts - something most Mexican army soldiers are not familiar with. Another benefit, aside from increasing effectiveness in operations against DTOs, would hopefully be a reduction in human rights abuses.

Second, Mexican police will be receiving US assistance as well, not just the military. Yes, there is a greater likelihood that the cops will be dirty and use that training against Mexican authorities. However, Calderón is trying to nationalize and professionalize his police forces in an attempt to root out massive corruption, and this is a good way to start that process. Also, the Mexican people need to start having more faith in their police forces. Relations between the US and Mexico and the perception of US involvement in Mexican affairs have a sordid past, but US involvement in this particular aspect of the drug war might go a long way towards restoring that faith.

A third distinction you may have missed is that the US will have a hand in selecting who receives the training. Back in the School of the Americas days, the Mexican government chose who attended training. This will help ensure that trainees are vetted as thoroughly as possible, ostensibly to select the best and the brightest for what will likely be perceived as an elite group of trainees. 

Mexico has always been slow to ask for our help, mostly as a matter of national pride. But I think this is a good step that (a) doesn't compromise anyone's pride, (b) is a solid bi-national effort, and (c) will hopefully help accomplish some concrete goals. I look forward to seeing how things go when the first round of trainees graduates and is put on the street to test their newfound skills.

"Officers on Border Team Up to Quell Violence."

Here is an excerpt from Julia Preston's article in the New York Times:

"United States law enforcement authorities, seeking to avert a spillover of drug violence from Mexican border cities, are cautiously trying out new cross-border cooperation with the Mexican   federal police, according to senior Homeland Security officials. The efforts will include coordinated operations and expanded intelligence sharing. American border and customs agents are working more directly with the Mexican police, the officials said, despite a history of collaboration efforts that were compromised by leaks through Mexican authorities to traffickers and smugglers south of the border. American officials said they had been encouraged to try joint programs because Mexico had shown a new openness to United States assistance and had allowed more direct American involvement in training and background checks of Mexican police officers... While the Border Patrol’s daily planning is based on classified intelligence from many American law enforcement agencies, Mr. Self said, American agents share less secret information with Mexico, identifying the terrain they plan to scout on a given day... Mexico is also sharing some operational intelligence from its agencies, American border officials said... The program does not involve local Mexican police officers from border cities, where drug corruption has reduced some municipal police forces to disarray... Many Border Patrol agents remain wary of working with the Mexican police... Agents know countless stories of intelligence tips shared with Mexican law enforcement, which only served to give traffickers time to get away or to set up ambushes for officers." Link to Full Article

Analysis: As soon as I read this article, my first thought was "uh-oh." Then I decided to look at it a little more deeply, and I'm glad I did. It would be very easy for my to immediately shoot this idea down as naïve and foolhardy, in light of the corruption issues that Mexican law enforcement agencies are plagued with. So, before jumping off the diving board, I decided to contact an associate of mine at USBP to get his experienced opinion on the program.

I was pleased to note that he shared my concerns about the potential (and likely) compromise of sensitive operational information by Mexican law enforcement either in cahoots with or under threat by DTOs. However, he pointed out something very important - that the program involves shared patrols with the Mexican federal police, not the locals. While they still definitely have their internal security problems, they're not as severe as those being experienced by the locals - who are decidedly NOT part of such a program - and are held to a higher standard of accountability to the Mexican government.

I can't identify my associate or where he works because I wanted to get his honest opinion and be able to post it without any negative repercussions. I'm glad I did because he had some very valuable insights. First (and remember, he's not the voice of the whole USBP), he said, "We in the know greatly prefer to work with SEDENA, CISEN, and PGR directly to accomplish important bi-national goals and efforts (and the PFP to a lesser extent), rather than deal with state, local or municipal police agencies for [corruption] reasons." He acknowledged that the federales - and even the federal government - are not immune from corruption and/or undue influence, but we're in agreement that the potential for compromise is much lower at that level than at the local level.

My USBP associate overall was supportive of the initiative, with the strong caveat that US agencies needed to refrain from sharing any operational information that could be exploited by the DTOs, and that bi-national cooperation should ultimately lead to arrest, prosecution, and incarceration - another thing we both agree on.

I don't know if this initiative is on a trial basis, or if this is going to be the new standard that agencies on both sides of the border need to get used to. I have a feeling that if something goes south because US agency information was compromised by dirty federales, we'll both be going it alone once again. I don't think Calderón wants to blow this opportunity, so hopefully he's putting his best, brightest, and cleanest on patrol with our guys.

"Mexican police ask spirits to guard them in drug war."

Here is an excerpt from Robin Emmott's Reuters.com article:

"In secret meetings that draw on elements of Haitian Voodoo, Cuban Santeria and Mexican witchcraft, priests are slaughtering chickens on full moon nights on   beaches, smearing police with the blood and using prayers to evoke spirits to guard them as drug cartels battle over smuggling routes into California. Other police in the city of Tijuana, across the border from San Diego, tattoo their bodies with Voodoo symbols, believing they can repel bullets... Badly-paid Mexican police have long prayed to Christian saints before going out on patrol in Mexico, the world's second-most populous Roman Catholic country after Brazil... Army raids on homes of police working for cartels have found ornately adorned Santeria-type altars covered with statues and skulls stuffed with money paying homage to gods and spirits... Many police see a need to shield themselves from witchcraft used by drug gangs who mix Caribbean black magic and occultism from southern Mexico using things like human bones, dead bats and snake fangs to curse enemies and unleash evil spirits... The rituals are carried out by sometimes shadowy Mexicans who have menial day jobs and are priests by night. They claim to be trained in Voodoo, Santeria and other religions from time spent in the Caribbean and in Mexican towns like Catemaco, a center for witchcraft on the Gulf of Mexico." Link to Full Article

I'm very excited to have my first guest posting of analysis on this article. I'd like to introduce readers to Tony M. Kail, who is an author as well as a trainer for numerous local, state and federal agencies. Tony has spent twenty years researching magico-religious cultures throughout the world. He is the author of two books for law enforcement professionals and numerous articles on the subjects of cults, sects and deviant groups. He has also served as a peace officer and animal cruelty investigator. Tony has lectured for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Capitol Police and the United States Army. You can read more about his consulting work HERE. Tony also has a book out, titled "Santa Muerte: Mexico's Mysterious Saint of Death," and you can read more about him and the book HERE. For now, here is Tony's take on the above article.

Analysis: The mixture of criminality and magico-religious practices has become a growing phenomenon among street gangs and drug cartels. Historically criminal organizations throughout the world have taken advantage of local folklore and religious faith in order to get a magical "edge" against their enemies. It is understandable that members of organizations like MS-13 would gravitate toward using "anti-Christian" symbolism in their graffiti and tattoos. "Demonized" symbols help promote fear and communicate an air of "power" toward those outside of these subcultures. Likewise the embracing of local spiritual traditions from the worship of folk saints such as Santa Muerte to Santeria take on a dark connotation among these criminal elements. It is unfortunate to those who practice these spiritual traditions. Most religions such as Santeria, Palo Mayombe and Voodoo are practiced by adherents who are not involved in criminal activity. It is those who use these spiritual traditions for selfish means to protect criminal activities that are frequently associated with these faiths.

It would be interesting to know if these cartels that are using these religious practices were familiar with these faiths prior to involvement in criminal activities. Matamoros killer Adolfo DeConstanzo grew up around the religious traditions of Santeria and Palo Mayombe. It was only during his later years that he sought to misuse these traditions in concert with criminal activity. Are members of the cartels discovering that magico-religious practices can be incorporated into their deadly narco-culture or are these spiritual traditions that they grew up around and now simply bring them into gang-life?

The prevalence of shrines dedicated to folk saints and Afro-Caribbean deities at crime scenes may be remnants of local culture. If we discovered statues of the Buddha in the homes of Asian criminals would this be so out of the ordinary? We have to take into consideration the cultural atmosphere in which many of these groups operate. I believe this is also an argument that should be considered in light of the Mexican authorities seeking to destroy the shrines and chapels dedicated to Santa Muerte. There are many followers of the "holy death" that are not involved in drug cartels and criminal activity.

The allegations that Mexican authorities may be involved in some of these magico-religious practices comes at no surprise. A therapeutic "magical war" between the police and criminals may only result in the discovery of many "spells" or "workings" between the two parties and increased sales in occult supplies in the region. In U.S. law enforcement history, South Carolina Sheriff Ed McTeer was a legendary lawman that became famous for his skills as a "root doctor." McTeer served as Sherriff in a region where "root magic" was popular among criminals. McTeer's reputation as a "spiritual worker" became a psychological "edge" that created fear in local criminals. Perhaps the Mexican authorities are using this same technique.

The use of magical rituals and charms might provide those officers who are culturally accustomed to these practices a feeling of spiritual strength. Like the use of "war paint" on a warriors face, the use of ritual may provide some individuals with a sense of spiritual protection. An argument might be also be made that this increased "spiritual stress" between the police and criminals may only add to an already high stressed atmosphere in streets of Mexico. Could this result in a magical war that pushes police or criminals to perform extreme ceremonies that result in violence?

The Mexican authorities are definitely engaging in some form of "psychological warfare" against the cartels. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

"Hillary Clinton Mexico visit: US and Mexico shift drug war approach."

Here is an excerpt from Sara Miller Llana's article in the Christian Science Monitor:

"US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during a high-level meeting in Mexico Tuesday, spoke of a new strategy under the Merida Initiative, the $1.4 billion aid package to help Mexico and Central   America fight the scourge of organized crime, which includes a more targeted focus on community-building. Mrs. Clinton, who was in Mexico with, among others, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, laid out plans that span beyond access to military hardware... The four-pronged strategy includes disrupting the criminal organizations, strengthening institutions, building a border that is safe but productive, and boosting communities so they can resist the power of drug traffickers... The announcement by Clinton comes as Mexico has already begun expanding its approach from the military strategy, which remains the key component, to an acknowledgment that social factors that drive violence, such as a lack of jobs, must be addressed, too." Link to Full Article

Analysis: A big deal has been made about this US delegation visit to Mexico, particularly because our SecDef was part of it. Any hint of a US military presence in Mexico is a big diplomatic no-no, but his assistance seems to have gone over well enough. Everyone involved covered a lot of different topics, and it's about time the light bulb went on to clue people in that the problems arising from the drug war are not caused by just drugs. The severity of violence and the extent of the drug trade exist because - Hello?!? - Mexico has other problems, too. It's nice that folks are finally acknowledging the role of sociological factors, but unfortunately, there's no short-term fix for that.

Speaking of fixes, it's great that our folks and their folks had this lovely kumbaya session, but what concrete solutions came out of it?

Well, the State Department has posted its new strategy, titled "United States-Mexico Partnership: Anti-Arms Trafficking and Anti-Money Laundering," on it's website HERE. Actually, I imagine it's only part of the new strategy because the document only covers those two issues - albeit two of the biggest issues. Some of the bullet points talk about meetings or initiatives already undertaken, and others talk about new programs being funded by the Mérida Initiative. That's all well and good, but here are the two major problems I have with this overview of the new strategy.

First, you can send the Mexican government all the firearms tracing and identification equipment in the world, but that won't change the fact that only a fraction of firearms seized in drug-related crimes in Mexico are ever traced. This is part of the big controversy over trying to nail down the exact percentage of how many guns in Mexico actually come from US sources. No one knows and no one will probably ever know because a LOT of seized guns are either untraceable for various reasons, or disappear into the hands of dirty cops or make their way into cartel hands before they can be traced. The new strategy says nothing about addressing the problem with the proper handling/securing of seized firearms and the corruption that results in so many firearms never being traced.

Next, the strategy for tackling money laundering never touches on the fundamental problem Mexico has with going after drug money: the inherent inadequacy of existing Mexican laws and the inability (or unwillingness) of the Mexican government to successfully prosecute those few that are eventually indicted for money laundering. I'm not saying it's bad that the US is providing training on investigative techniques and increasing information sharing. Those are both really good things that are needed in several areas. But what good is a top-notch investigation if weak or non-existent money-laundering laws don't allow for consistent and successful prosecutions? Obviously, this is an internal problem for the Mexican government, and the State Department can't include the changing of Mexican laws into its strategy. I just hope that encouragement in that regard is what they mean when talking about the vague notion of "capacity building."

My final thoughts are skeptical, as usual. It's nice to see and read about these high-profile meetings because it makes the general public feel like the Mexican and US governments are serious about tackling the problems arising out of the drug war. But these problems aren't new, and these sit-down sessions have occurred before. Is this a response to the murder of the three individuals who worked at the US Consulate in Cuidad Juárez? Maybe. If so, why was that the catalyst? US citizens have been killed in Mexico before because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and no such response occurred. Maybe it's because the FBI believes they were targeted by the Barrio Azteca gang for some reason. Still, Mexican drug trade-related activity, including murders and kidnappings, have been occurring on US soil for some time, and I'm disheartened that now is the time the State Department feels we need a new strategy. I'll be cynically waiting for some concrete measures to come out of yesterday's meeting.

IN FOCUS: Money Laundering

Since Mexican President Felipe Calderon entered office in December 2006, his government has gone up against drug trafficking organizations with a vengeance. As a result, violence in several parts of Mexico has skyrocketed, and some argue his political party paid the price in recent elections for his aggressive stance. Yet, Calderon has been willing to do what previous administrations have shied away from – confronting the cartels head-on with every weapon in his arsenal. Or has he?

We read almost daily about the Mexican and US governments’ efforts to crack down on drug smuggling and weapons trafficking. Arguably, both countries are making unprecedented efforts to cooperate and coordinate law enforcement activities on both sides of the border. New agreements have been made between US agencies to improve efficiency and southbound vehicle inspections are now being performed. But it seems that the Mexican government has failed to focus on a crucial aspect of organized crime: money laundering.

Back in the 1920s and early 1930s, Prohibition was in full effect in the United States, and few places felt the effects more strongly than Chicago. It was considered the most violent and corrupt city in the country at the time, and organized crime groups like Al Capone’s syndicate operated in Chicago with impunity. However, it was not a crackdown on bootlegging or a few arrests here and there for assaults or murders that brought down Al Capone’s organization; it was the federal government finally getting involved and going after the money. Al Capone went to jail for tax evasion, not murder or bootlegging.

Along somewhat similar lines, when the US government goes after foreign terrorist organizations like al-Qa’ida or Hizballah, they don’t only go after the operatives or their weapons; they go after the money they use to fund operations. Investigations of the money laundering activities of organized crime groups in the United States are a crucial part of successful prosecutions.

So why isn’t the Mexican government going after drug money? Part of the reason is that Mexico’s laws regarding money laundering are weak. According to the International Monetary Fund’s Detailed Assessment Report On Anti-Money Laundering And Combating The Financing of Terrorism (2008), Mexico has “made progress in developing its system for combating money laundering, but further work is needed to strengthen it.” Also, Mexican anti-laundering drugs are comprehensive but don’t meet international standards; they, too, need to be strengthened for better implementation. Even more concerning, “[money laundering] offenses are not being adequately investigated.” Mexican authorities have obtained only 25 convictions for money laundering since it was criminalized in 1989.

It seems like this is one more thing Calderon doesn’t need on his plate. His cops are dirty, his army is being stretched thin, and now he needs to worry about changing laws and going after dirty money in addition to the drugs and guns. But if going after the money can bring down Al Capone and help dismantle groups like al-Qa’ida, Calderon might want to reconsider his priorities.

Internet Radio Interview on Monday, Mar. 22

Just wanted to let you all know I'll be talking tomorrow (Monday) evening about recent increases in violent incidents in parts of Mexico on AR15.com's radio show, Radio Free ARFCOM. I should be on at roughly 6:10 pm CST, so that's 4:10 pm PST and 7:10 pm EST; they told me the interview would last roughly half an hour. If you'd like to listen in, here's the link: http://www.ar15.com/content/radio. 

US State Department issues travel warning for parts of Mexico.

Here are some of the more salient excerpts from yesterday's travel warning:

"The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico of concerns about the security situation in Mexico, and that it has authorized   the departure of the dependents of U.S. government personnel from U.S. consulates in the Northern Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros until April 12.  Family members of US Government personnel assigned to other areas of Mexico outside the Mexican border states are not affected by this departure measure. This Travel Warning supercedes that of February 22, 2010, and announces the authorized departure of some dependents and updates security incidents.

"Recent violent attacks have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua states(see details below) and advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution.  Drug cartels and associated criminal elements have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or whom they otherwise view as a threat to their organizations. These attacks include the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua.

"The situation in the state of Chihuahua, specifically Ciudad Juarez, is of special concern.   The U.S. Consulate General recommends that American citizens defer non-essential travel to the Guadalupe Bravo area southeast of Ciudad Juarez and to the northwest quarter of the state of  Chihuahua including the city of Nuevo Casas Grandes and surrounding communities.  From the United States, these areas are often reached through the Columbus, NM, and Fabens and Fort Hancock, TX, ports of entry.  In both areas, American citizens have been victims of drug-related violence."

To read the full travel alert on the US State Department website, please CLICK HERE.

Analysis: First off, I need to remind readers that the State Department has different levels of alerts and warnings for US citizens abroad, based on the level of severity. To review information regarding these different levels, please CLICK HERE. Travel warnings are the most severe of the three, and the State Department issues these after much thought and with care, as they know the warning will usually annoy the country in question's government and often scare the bejesus out of US citizens planning that cruise to Cancun or vacation to Cabo San Lucas.

Second, readers need to know that this situation is serious, and any potential travelers need to make note of the locations specifically mentioned in the travel warning. They're mentioned for very good reasons, i.e. lots of people - including US citizens - are dying there. That being said, there are plenty of places in Mexico that are still safe to visit. But you have to do your homework. The State Department has really good information in the travel section of their website, and you can always call the Embassy in Mexico City or the Consulate in the city closest to where you'll be visiting to get more detailed information.

Above all, be smart, stay informed, and don't take your safety for granted.

"Three people linked to US consulate in Mexico killed."

Here is an excerpt from this news story on BBC News online:

"Three people connected to the US consulate in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez have been killed, the White House has said. They include a consulate employee and her husband, both American, and the Mexican husband of another employee... The three victims were killed in drive-by shootings on Saturday afternoon, a US official told the BBC on condition of anonymity, citing privacy considerations. The White House statement did not provide any details of the incident in Ciudad Juarez... Meanwhile, the State Department has authorised government employees at six US consulates in northern Mexico to send their family members out of the area over concerns about rising drug-related violence. The six consulates are in the border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros. The department said in a statement Sunday that recent violent attacks have led the US Embassy in Mexico City to advise American citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of the Mexican states of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua." Link to Full Article

Analysis: Unfortunately, I don't have much to offer by way of analysis yet because this story is just breaking this morning. I felt it was important to get the raw information out there first. I'm working to find more details on who the victims are and who the shooting suspects are, but information is very scant right now, even in the Spanish-language Mexican dailies. If any of my readers out there have more solid details, please email me at spooky926@gmail.com or post the info in the comments section.

I should say right now that I have no indication at the present time that these people were specifically targeted by Mexican DTOs strictly because (a) they were American, and/or (b) they were associated with the US consulate in Cuidad Juárez. That may change, but such targeting would represent a massive shift in DTO modus operandi, and it's too soon to draw such dramatic conclusions from an incident on which we have so little information right now. More to come...