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Latin America Military and Security Watch

Table of Contents MEXICO

SPECIAL INTEREST What Remains of Los Zetas – 05 July 2011

TAMAULIPAS Confrontation between Soldiers and Gunmen Leaves 13 Dead in Río

Bravo, Tamaulipas – 05 July 2011 ZACATECAS

Confrontation between Marines and Los Zetas Operators Leaves 15

Dead near Fresnillo, Zacatecas – 02 July 2011 NUEVO LEON

Authorities Kill Los Zetas Plaza Leader in Garcia, Nuevo Leon – 01

July 2011 Soldiers Dismantle Los Zetas Narco Camp in Vallecillos, Nuevo Leon –

04 July 2011 Gunmen Attack Bodyguards Assigned to Protect the Governor of Nuevo

Leon in Monterrey – 04 July 2011 SAN LUIS POTOSI

Federal Police Capture Seven Los Zetas Operators along Highway in

San Luis Potosi – 04 July 2011

COAHULA Grenade Attack against PGR Installation Reported in Torreon, Coahuila

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– 02 July 2011

NAYARIT Soldiers Seize Opium Gum in Tepic, Nayarit – 03 July 2011

AGUASCALIENTES La Oficina Leader Killed in Aguascalientes – 05 July 2011

DURANGO Soldiers Seize Drugs, Weapons, and Tactical Equipment in Pueblo

Nuevo, Durango – 01 July 2011

BAJA CALIFORNIA Soldiers Seize 179 Kilograms of Cocaine in Mexicali, Baja California –

01 July 2011 SONORA

Federal Police Seize 100 Kilograms of Marijuana in Hermosillo, Sonora

– 04 July 2011 MEXICO STATE

Authorities Capture Six La Familia Michoacana Operators in Los

Reyes, Mexico State – 05 July 2011 27 Individuals with Ties to La Familia Michoacana Arrested in Mexico

State – 05 July 2011 Authorities Arrest Los Zeta Leader in Atizapan, Mexico State – 05 July

2011 CENTRAL AMERICA

Authorities Arrest Alleged Los Zetas Operators in Juticalpa, Honduras –

01 July 2011

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MEXICO

SPECIAL INTEREST

What Remains of Los Zetas – 05 July 2011

For the standpoint of the Mexican Army and the Attorney General’s Office, Los Zetas are characterized

as traitors and as some of the most dangerous hitmen operating in Mexico. This same group was formed

10 years ago in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, by 34 ex-soldiers. Of those original founding members, only

10 remain operational, and have been identified as:

Heriberto Lazcano aka El Lazca

Carlos Vera Calva aka El Vera

Daniel Enrique Márquez Aguilar aka El Chocotorro

Galdino Mellado Cruz aka El Mellado

Gonzalo Geresano Escribano aka El Cuije

Lucio Hernández Lechuga aka El Lucky

Rogelio Guerra Ramíreza aka El Guerra

Prisciliano Ibarra Yepis

Eduardo Estrada González

Víctor Nazario Castrejón Peña

Those original Los Zetas founders who have been killed were identified as:

First leader and founder, Arturo Guzmán Decena aka El Z-1

Gustavo González Castro aka El Erótico

Luis Alberto Guerrero Reyes aka El Guerrero

Efraín Teodoro Torres aka El Efra

Braulio Arellano Domínguez aka El Gonzo

Óscar Guerrero Silva aka El Winnie Pooh

Alberto Trejo Benavides aka El Alvin

Ernesto Zatarín Beliz aka El Traca

Key leaders that have been arrested were identified as:

Jesús Enrique Rejón aka El Mamito

Flavio Méndez aka El Amarillo

Miguel Ángel Soto aka El Parra

Enrique Ruiz Tlapanco aka El Tlapa

Jaime González aka El Hummer

Mateo Díaz López aka Comandante Mateo

Daniel Pérez Rojas aka El Cachetes (arrested in Guatemala)

Spanish Source: http://www.census.gov

Top of the Document

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TAMAULIPAS Confrontation between Soldiers and Gunmen Leaves 13 Dead in Río Bravo, Tamaulipas – 05 July

2011

A confrontation between soldiers and gunmen was reported in the Atizapán de Zaragoza village in Rio

Bravo [25.9867 -98.0954], Tamaulipas. Killed during this confrontation were 13 gunmen. Items seized

from what appeared to be an abandoned property in the area included:

7 vehicles

Weapons

Ammunition

Clothes

Arrested from the property mentioned above was a man identified as Luis David Martínez Reyes. Seized

from him was an AK-47 assault rifle.

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/81061.html

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ZACATECAS Confrontation between Marines and Los Zetas Operators Leaves 15 Dead near Fresnillo, Zacatecas

– 02 July 2011

On 02 July 2011 at around 0600 hours, Marines were attacked by Los

Zetas operators who opened fire on them from a safe house in the San

José de Lourdes village [23.2795 -103.0071] of Fresnillo, Zacatecas.

Following the initial shots, a five hour confrontation ensued during which

time narco blockades were set up at least 7 city exits in Fresnillo to

include: Sombrerete, Plateros, Jerez, and Valparaíso. Vehicles utilized

included at least 15 stolen vehicles, passenger busses, and six cargo

trucks. Following the aftermath of this incident, authorities also received

25 additional reports regarding stolen vehicles.

Killed during this confrontation were 15 Los Zetas operators, while another 17 were arrested. Those items

seized from these individuals included an unspecified quantity of weapons and ammunition. In addition to

those Los Zetas operators arrested and killed, multiple others managed to escape.

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/81020.html

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NUEVO LEON

Authorities Kill Los Zetas Plaza Leader in Garcia, Nuevo Leon – 01 July 2011

At night on 29 June 2011, soldiers, AEI, and municipal police engaged in a shootout with suspects

traveling in an SUV in Garcia [25.8092 -100.5979], Nuevo Leon. Three individuals were traveling in the

SUV mentioned above, but only one was identified as Hernando RODRÍGUEZ Hernández, aka El

Fabuloso. Information about this individual was reported as follows:

He is former police officer

He is the current Los Zetas plaza leader in the municipality of Garcia and at least three other

municipalities in the Monterrey metro area

He is allegedly responsible for crimes carried out against Garcia Mayor Jaime Rodríguez

Calderón and the murder of Garcia municipal police chief Juan Arturo Esparza

Those items seized from the now deceased individuals were reported as follows:

2 AK-47 assault rifles

2 AR-15 assault rifles

9mm pistol

Unreported quantity and type of ammunition

Toyota SUV

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/81004.html and

http://www.lapoliciaca.com/nota-roja/matan-al-fabuloso-lider-de-los-zetas-en-nuevo-leon

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Soldiers Dismantle Los Zetas Narco Camp in Vallecillos, Nuevo Leon – 04 July 2011

Army soldiers conducting routine patrols recently

discovered a narco camp utilized by Los Zetas

operators on the El Álamo communal lands [26.4783 -

99.8324] in Vallecillos, Nuevo Leon. Although no

arrests were reported in conjunction with the raid,

soldiers seized the following items from the camp:

17 rifles (9 AR-15, 6 AK-47, 2 unreported)

Grenade launcher

Approximately 600 rounds of ammunition

18 magazines

Holsters

Radiocommunications equipment

Cell phones

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16 berets bearing the Los Zetas logo

8 military-style uniforms

200 kilograms of marijuana

Nissan SUV

Comment: The rifles seized contained yellow labels with a message from Miguel Ángel Treviño aka Z-

40, that read as follows: “GREETINGS FROM COMMANDER 40 TO ALL THE TROOPS”.

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/81004.html

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Gunmen Attack Bodyguards Assigned to Protect the Governor of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey – 04

July 2011

On 04 July 2011 at around 1900 hours, heavily armed gunmen attacked

bodyguards assigned to serve Rodrigo Medina, the Governor of Nuevo Leon. The

attack in question reportedly occurred on Morones Prieto and San Francisco

Avenues [25.6683 -100.3453] in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Following this incident,

authorities attempted to keep the news under wraps, but some sources are reporting

that at least one individual was killed as a consequence of this attack.

Comment: This is the third instance in which bodyguards assigned to serve Rodrigo Medina have been

attacked/killed.

Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/07/de-nuevo-atacan-escoltas-de-rodrigo.html#more

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SAN LUIS POTOSI

Federal Police Capture Seven Los Zetas Operators along Highway in San Luis Potosi – 04 July

2011

On 03 July 2011, Federal Police engaged in an armed confrontation with individuals traveling in a four

vehicle convoy at the 121 kilometer mark along the San Luis Potosí-Torreón Highway in San Luis Potosí.

This area was reported as being near the Zacatecas-San Luis Potosí border. Those individuals arrested

following this confrontation were identified as:

Juan Carlos RODRÍGUEZ García aka El Cholo

Gerardo Alfonso OCEGUERA Vázquez aka El Gera

José HERNÁNDEZ Herrera aka El Tapón (the aforementioned three individuals were reported as

leaders of hitmen cells)

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Rodiber ALEGRÍA Morales aka El Rudi, 24

Oscar Omar HERNÁNDEZ Galaviz aka El Greñas, 21

Two 17-year-old minors whose names were not reported

Those items seized from these individuals were reported as follows:

11 rifles

Handgun

756 rounds of ammunition

8 magazines

7 communications radios

T-shirts bearing the logo “Comando Armado Z”

4 license plates

2 bulletproof vests

Tactical equipment

4 vehicles

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/777164.html

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COAHULA

Grenade Attack against PGR Installation Reported in Torreon, Coahuila – 02 July 2011

On 01 July 2011 at around 2330 hours, an unknown armed group utilized

heavy gunfire and a grenade to attack the PGR installations in the Merced II

neighborhood [25.5233 -103.3913+] of Torreon, Coahuila. This attack

caused material damages to the building, and left a security guard injured.

Although there was an intense mobilization and search effort by authorities

following the attack, no suspects have been arrested.

Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/07/atacan-instalaciones-de-la-pgr-en.html#more

Top of the Document

NAYARIT

Soldiers Seize Opium Gum in Tepic, Nayarit – 03 July 2011

On 02 July 2011, soldiers arrested two individuals while conducting land reconnaissance along the Mesa

del Nayar-Santa Teresa Highway in Tepic [21.5255-104.9322], Narayit. Those items seized from these

individuals were reported as follows:

50 kilograms of opium gum

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2 rifles

1 pistol

2 magazines

15 rounds of ammunition

1 pickup

Spanish Source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa/6649-3-

de-julio-de-2011-lomas-de-sotelo-df

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AGUASCALIENTES La Oficina Leader Killed in Aguascalientes – 05 July 2011

On 04 July 2011, authorities raided a house belonging to the in-laws of Nicolás MORA Obando, aka El

Nico, aka Papá Nico, in the Porta Cantera sector of Aguascalientes[21.8822-102.2913], Aguascalientes.

During this raid, a shootout ensued during which time authorities shot and killed MORA Obando.

Following his death, this individual was identified as the second in command of the criminal organization

known as La Oficina. Prior to serving in this position, he worked as both a judicial and a municipal

police officer.

Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/07/abaten-el-nico-lider-de-la-oficina-en.html

Top of the Document

DURANGO

Soldiers Seize Drugs, Weapons, and Tactical Equipment in Pueblo Nuevo, Durango – 01 July 2011

On 26 June 2011, soldiers assigned to the 10th Military Zone seized the

following items while conducting land reconnaissance in the El Grullo

village of Pueblo Nuevo [24.0405-104.6556 ], Durango:

80 kilograms of unprocessed marijuana

370 kilograms of processed marijuana

9.5 kilograms of marijuana seed

12 rifles

5 handguns

29 magazines

524 rounds of various caliber ammunition

15 U.S. manufactured dessert camouflage uniforms

3 tactical vests

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5 short wave radios

Spanish Source: http://impreso.milenio.com/node/8985059

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BAJA CALIFORNIA

Soldiers Seize 179 Kilograms of Cocaine in Mexicali, Baja California – 01 July 2011

On 01 July 2011, soldiers assigned to the 2nd

Military Zone seized 179.9 kg of cocaine after searching two

vehicles in the Mérida sector of Mexicali [32.6460-115.4451], Baja California. Three individuals were

also arrested during this operation, however, their names were not released to the press.

Spanish Source: http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2011/07/01/221559463-asegura-sedena-mas-de-

179-kilos-de-cocaina-en-bc/

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SONORA Federal Police Seize 100 Kilograms of Marijuana in Hermosillo, Sonora – 04 July 2011

On 03 July 2011, authorities raided a shipping business located at the corner of 484A Campeche Street in

the Pimentel neighborhood of Hermosillo[29.0903-110.9612], Sonora. While searching this location,

police located six boxes destined for an individual identified as Alejandro Aguirre Salazar and ready to

ship to the following address: PC Home S.A. de C.V. in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Police then allowed the boxes

to ship, and once Aguirre Salazar appeared to collect them, he was arrested.

Spanish Source: http://www.pgr.gob.mx/prensa/2007/delega11/son040711DPE262311.shtm

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MEXICO STATE

Authorities Capture Six La Familia Michoacana Operators in Los Reyes, Mexico State – 05 July

2011

On 02 July 2011, a confrontation between authorities and gunmen was

reported along Paseo de Tepozanes Avenue in Los Reyes La Paz,

Mexico State. The confrontation was part of a counter

extortion/racketeering operation that led to the arrest of six La Familia

operators in the La Floresta neighborhood of the city. The individuals

arrested were identified as:

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Daniel C.

Ricardo M.

Víctor Manuel M.

José de Jesús F.

José de Jesús S. aka El Chuky

Jorge A. aka El Chupón

Those items seized from the now detained suspects were identified as follows:

A green Jeep (plates MCP-52-85)

A white Dodge Nitro (plates 516-VLH)

3 pistols (9mm, .38 caliber, and .25 caliber)

2 cell phones

2 SIM cards

$(MXN) 9,800 pesos cash, acquired from recent extortion efforts

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversaledomex.mx/nezahualcoyo/nota18904.html

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27 Individuals with Ties to La Familia Michoacana Arrested in Mexico State – 05 July 2011

On 05 July 2011, the District Attorney’s Office of Mexico State reported the arrest of 27 drug dealers in

Chalco [19.2521 -98.8872] and Ecatepec [19.6018 -99.0499], Mexico State. The now arrested dealers are

said to have ties to La Familia Michoacana. At this point, no further information regarding these arrests

has been reported.

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversaledomex.mx/home/nota19217.html

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Authorities Arrest Los Zeta Leader in Atizapan, Mexico State – 05 July 2011

On 04 July 2011, Federal Police arrested Jesus Enrique

REJON Aguilar, aka El Mamito, during an operation

conducted in Atizapan de Zaragoza [approximate location

19.5610 -99.2464], Mexico State. Following his arrest, the

following details were reported about this individual:

He was a founding member of Los Zetas and served as

the third in command within the organization

His last noteworthy ascension within Los Zetas

occurred in 2010 after the rupture of ties between Los

Zetas and the Gulf Cartel. After the rupture, he was

put in charge of regional activities in central and northern Mexico.

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He was on the DEA’s Most Wanted list with a bounty of $(USD) 5 million dollars for his

involvement in the murder of ICE Agent Jaime Zapata on 14 February 2011, in San Luis Potosi.

Also arrested during this same operation was an individual identified as Pedro Ortega Herrera, 32.

Following his arrest, he was identified as a State Preventative Police (PEP) officer and as the head of

security for Rejon.

Those items seized following the conclusion of this operation were identified as follows:

2 pistols

1 rifle

Cash (amount unspecified)

Diverse documentation

Radio communications equipment

1 vehicle

Comment: The information below depicts a timeline relating to the ascension of Rajon within the Los

Zetas organization:

1993 – Joined the Mexican Army

1996 – Assigned to the Special Forces Airmobile Group (GAFE)

1997 – Assigned to the District Attorney’s Office as a field agent

1998 – Transferred to Saltillo, Coahuila

1999 – Deserted the Mexican Army and later that year, upon invitation by Arturo GUZMAN

Decena aka El Z1, became part of the original 14 founding members of Los Zetas

2002 – Assisted in the prison break of Daniel PEREZ Rojas in El Cachetes, from the state

penitentiary of Santa Adelaida in Matamoros, Tamaulipas

2004 – Attempted to free Osiel CARDENAS Guillen from the Altiplano penitentiary

2007 – Rejon was placed in charge of the Nuevo Laredo and Miguel Aleman plazas under the

command of Miguel Angel TREVINO Morales, aka, El Z-40

2010 – After the breakup of the Gulf Cartel, Rejon was placed in charge of central and northern

Mexico

Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/a3a4f854e099228757da6f3aa2e94726

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CENTRAL AMERICA

Authorities Arrest Alleged Los Zetas Operators in Juticalpa, Honduras – 01 July 2011

On 29 June 2011, authorities arrested four alleged Los Zetas operators from a residence located in the

Zabaneta neighborhood of Juticalpa[14.6592-86.2285], Honduras. The now detained individuals were

identified as follows:

Wilfredo BALVITO Castro, 25, from Zacapa, Guatemala

José Alberto MATA Pérez, 33, from Zacapa, Guatemala

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Óscar Armando MENDOZA Hernánz, 24, Honduran national

Sergio Ramón DÍAZ Doblado, 22, Honduran national

Those items seized from these individuals were reported as follows:

2 pistols

1 Ford F150 with license plates PBA-8549

1 AK-47

1 rifle

1 pistol w/magazine

4 fragmentation grenades

1 t-shirt with the DNIC logo

1 cap with a COBRA unit logo

Spanish Source: http://www.laprensa.hn/Sintesis/Lo-ultimo/Ediciones/2011/07/01/Noticias/Capturan-a-

supuestos-Zetas-con-arsenal

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