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Mexico Security Memo: Los Zetas'

Incursion Into Puerto VallartaAnalysis OCTOBER 17, 2012 | 0516 "Print #Text Size $

Analysis

Los Zetas in PuertoVallarta

The morning of Oct. 15,

a group of armed men

threw a grenade and

opened fire on the

vehicle in which Puerto Vallarta Police Chief Roberto Rodriguez

Preciado was traveling. Rodriguez was able to escape the attack, but

three individuals, including one of his escorts, were injured. The sameday, Mexican media reported that at least four

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This Analysis is part ofmultiple Timelines

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Mexico Security Memo:

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authorities into cooperating

with organized criminal

groups or to pressure

officials to cease

investigations. In addition, in

areas with competing

criminal groups, violence toward government and law enforcement

officials can increase in the form ofretaliation against officials suspected of working with rival organized

criminal groups.

It is not certain whether this recent violence directed against security

officials is part of a greater push by Los Zetas to take complete

control of Puerto Vallarta. But it is apparent that recent events

affecting Los Zetas, such as the death of former top Los Zetas

leaderHeriberto "El Lazca" Lazcano Lazcano, have not caused

the group to abandon efforts to expand its geographic reach. BeforeLazcano's death, Los Zetas had been attempting to establish

drug-trafficking operations in Jalisco state, according to Jalisco state

Gov. Emilio Gonzalez Marquez, who warned in August that Los

Zetas were seeking inroads into the state. Should Los Zetas

continue their campaign to establish operations in Jalisco state,

violence could increase throughout the state, including in Puerto

Vallarta.

The Knights Templar Increase Anti-Zetas Rhetoric

At least seven narcomantas ostensibly signed by the Knights Templar

were hung in different locations in the Toluca Valley of Mexico state

Oct. 10. The narcomantas asked citizens to provide any information

that could lead to the capture of Los Zetas leader Miguel "Z-40"

Trevino Morales. The banners follow a recent trend of the Knights

Templar directing their public messages against Los Zetas and its top

leader, Trevino.

Los Zetas have been in an ongoing conflict with the Knights

Templar in several states (primarily Guanajuato, Guerrero and

Michoacan) since the Knights Templar split from La Familia

Michoacana in 2011. Therefore, it is not surprising to see the Knights

Templar focus on Los Zetas in their information operations. However,

the information campaign has been increasing since August 2012,

when a video was posted to social media outlets of top Knights

Templar leader Servando "La Tuta" Gomez Martinez reaffirming the

group's war against Los Zetas.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE

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Currently there are no clear indications that increased violence

between Los Zetas and the Knights Templar has followed the recent

rhetoric. However, the narcomantas and the video demonstrate

an increasing focus on Los Zetas by the Knights Templar. These

messages suggest the Knights Templar are confident in their

operational capabilities and their ability to engage in additional

battlefronts, since they must expect some retaliatory violence.

Editor's Note: We now offer the daily Mexico Security Monitor, an

additional custom intelligence service geared toward organizations

with operations or interests in the region, designed to provide more

detailed and in-depth coverage of the situation. To learn more about

this new fee-based custom service, visit www.stratfor.com/msm.

Send us your thoughts on this report.

Mexico Security Memo: Los

Zetas' Miguel Trevino

Morales Under Pressure

Mexico Security Memo: Los

Zetas' Strategy in a Sinaloa

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SEP 18, 2012 | 13:22 GMT


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