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Chris Ayres Los Angeles
Wanted: the 24 men who have turned Mexico into one of the most unstable and violent countries in the world.
Personal details of the two dozen leaders of Mexico’s major drug cartels – along with a promised reward of $2 million (£1.4 million) apiece for information resulting in arrests – were published yesterday by the Mexican Government. An additional $1 million apiece was offered for information leading to the capture of the drug lords’ 13 top lieutenants. Some of the men on the list, such as JoaquÍn Guzman and Ismael Zamabada, are already targeted by $5 million reward offers from the US GovernmentEndemic corruption within Mexico’s political class and law enforcement organisations has made direct action against the cartel chiefs highly risky for anyone who dares take part in it. Widespread despair within Mexico over a drugs war that has left 8,000 dead over two years, coupled with a determination by the new Obama Administration to launch a surge against the cartels, appears to have prompted action. The wanted list – published by the Attorney-General’s office – revealed that amid intense pressure from the military, Mexico’s two major drug gangs, the Sinaloa and Gulf cartels, have splintered into six factions including former subsidiary groups such as the Pacific cartel and La Familia. Its publication comes before visits to Mexico City by various Cabin-et-level members of the Obama Administration, including Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, and Eric Holder, the Attorney-General. It also follows a Pentagon report that named Mexico as a potential failed-state, similar to Pakistan, that could represent the worst security threat to the US in 25 years. The crisis in Mexico began two years ago when President Calderón began to take military action against the country’s drug lords. The troubles intensified when criminals once dependent on drugs for their livelihood turned to other crime, with Mexico City quickly becoming the “kidnapping capital” of the world.
Wanted: the 24 men who have turned Mexico into one of the most unstable and violent countries in the world.
Personal details of the two dozen leaders of Mexico’s major drug cartels – along with a promised reward of $2 million (£1.4 million) apiece for information resulting in arrests – were published yesterday by the Mexican Government. An additional $1 million apiece was offered for information leading to the capture of the drug lords’ 13 top lieutenants. Some of the men on the list, such as JoaquÍn Guzman and Ismael Zamabada, are already targeted by $5 million reward offers from the US GovernmentEndemic corruption within Mexico’s political class and law enforcement organisations has made direct action against the cartel chiefs highly risky for anyone who dares take part in it. Widespread despair within Mexico over a drugs war that has left 8,000 dead over two years, coupled with a determination by the new Obama Administration to launch a surge against the cartels, appears to have prompted action. The wanted list – published by the Attorney-General’s office – revealed that amid intense pressure from the military, Mexico’s two major drug gangs, the Sinaloa and Gulf cartels, have splintered into six factions including former subsidiary groups such as the Pacific cartel and La Familia. Its publication comes before visits to Mexico City by various Cabin-et-level members of the Obama Administration, including Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, and Eric Holder, the Attorney-General. It also follows a Pentagon report that named Mexico as a potential failed-state, similar to Pakistan, that could represent the worst security threat to the US in 25 years. The crisis in Mexico began two years ago when President Calderón began to take military action against the country’s drug lords. The troubles intensified when criminals once dependent on drugs for their livelihood turned to other crime, with Mexico City quickly becoming the “kidnapping capital” of the world.
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