"Is Tranquility or Turmoil Next for Tijuana?"

Here is an excerpt from my latest article in Homeland Security Today's "From the Field" section:

"The security situation in Mexico is in a constant state of flux, and nothing exemplifies that more than recent events in Tijuana and the surrounding area. President Felipe Calderón and his federal police forces got a much-needed morale boost on January 12 with the capture of the elusive Teodoro “El Teo” Garcia Simental. Garcia was the head of a drug operation that split off from the Arellano Felix Organization (AFO) in April 2008, and he was receiving support from the rival Sinaloa Federation.

"After Garcia’s capture, the general opinion among drug war observers was that not too much would change in violence levels or the movement of product across the border. This was due to the fact that Garcia ran a tight ship with a clear chain of command. True to form, boss. The biggest concern at the time was that López might escalate the level of violence to establish his position as the new boss—one worthy of assuming Garcia’s position.

"Fortunately, López never got that chance. In a huge raid on February 8, Mexican federal police arrested López, along with Manuel “El Chiquilin” Garcia Simental (Teodoro’s brother) and several Tijuana police officers. These three major arrests in the span of a month have effectively dismantled the AFO’s main rival and the Sinaloa Federation’s proxy in northern Baja California.

"So the question becomes, is this good news or bad news for Tijuana and the other drug corridors along the California-Mexico border?"

To read the full article at HSToday.us, please CLICK HERE.

Comments

[rwall]

I just discovered the comment area. I love your analysis of the DTO's. Anyone can read the newspaper, but what does it m e a n ?

Keep up the good work!