MEXICO: National Security Spokesman Alejandro Poire says country is making progress in drugs war

Record ID: 303960

  • Title: MEXICO: National Security Spokesman Alejandro Poire says country is making progress in drugs war
  • Date: 26th January 2011
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARREST OF JOSE JORGE "JJ" BALDERAS, WHO ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED PARAGUAYAN SOCCER PLAYER SALVADOR CABANAS
  • Embargoed: 10th February 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico, Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4LK89Z9ZT55GOF51OHXGQ4QP7
  • Story Text: Mexico's National Security Spokesman Alejandro Poire said on Tuesday (January 25) Mexico had made progress in the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime.
    Poire highlighted the impact of the killing last month of the suspected leader of Mexico's La Familia drug cartel, who was gunned down in a raid by security forces, handing President Felipe Calderon a major victory in his war on drug gangs.
    Nazario Moreno, known as "The Craziest One," died in a shootout in the Apatzingan area, a La Familia stronghold in western Mexico.
    Moreno was believed to be the leader of the cult-like La Familia (The Family) drug cartel, dominant in Calderon's home state of Michoacan.
    "Last December 10, the fall of the ideological leader of La Familia, Nazario Moreno Gonzalez, also known as "The Craziest One," and the weakening and withdrawal of this criminal group is evident," said Poire.
    Moreno, who was killed in Apatzingan preached Bible scripture mixed with self-help slogans to gang members and promoted a mystique unique among Mexican gangs by claiming to protect the local population.
    At least 11 people died as security forces fought cartel members during operations, including three suspected drug gang leaders and five police. Three civilians were also killed in running battles in which gang members burned cars and blocked roads.
    Wanted in the United States and with a $2.4 million bounty on his head in Mexico, Moreno is the second drug kingpin to be eliminated in just over a month. Marines killed the Gulf cartel's Ezequiel "Tony Tormenta" Cardenas on November 5 in northeastern Mexico, although Calderon's fight is far from over and many Mexicans worry he is losing his battle.
    Poire also mentioned the killing of the suspected main leader of drug trafficking organisation "Los Zetas," who was shot down in northern Mexico and highlighted the arrest of seven drug gang members in the Pacific port of Acapulco, including the man, Jose Lozano, behind the murders of 22 people in the resort this month.
    "There is also the fall of so-called Commander Lino, the main operator for the Zetas in the whole of Nuevo Leon after a shootout between criminals and Mexican troops yesterday. The arrest also of Jose Lozano Martinez, also known as "El Lozano," the alleged chief of hitmen in Acapulco, who is also linked with the disappearance and homicide of 28 men from Michoacan on September 30, 2010 as well as the murder of 22 people last January 8, both in Guerrero state," Poire told reporters.
    Clashes between rival gangs seeking to control the flow of drugs through Acapulco have alarmed business leaders who worry the escalating violence will strangle the tourism industry.
    Acapulco mainly caters to Mexican tourists, while resorts like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta are popular with foreign visitors. But the gory headlines have prompted fears foreigners will shy away from Mexico.
    Poire also confirmed the arrest of an alleged drug dealer wanted for attempting to murder Paraguayan soccer player Salvador Cabanas last year in a bar shooting that ended the career of the promising forward.
    "Today, President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa talked to his counterpart, Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, to inform him the federal police has arrested Jose Jorge Balderas, "JJ" for his alleged responsibility in the attack against football Cabanas among other crimes," said Poire.
    Jose Jorge "JJ" Balderas, was arrested in an upscale Mexico City neighborhood along with six other people by the country's anti-drug unit. Cabanas was shot in the head last January in a Mexico City bar, apparently after an argument over his performance in the Mexican league club America. He survived the attack but still has the bullet lodged in his brain.
    More than 34,000 people have died in drug-related violence across Mexico since President Felipe Calderon launched an army-led crackdown on the cartels upon taking office in December 2006.
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