OVER THE WEEKEND: CONCERNS OF POTENTIAL TERRORIST THREATS VIA MEXICO; U.S. BLAMED FOR INCREASE IN VIOLENCE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FORMER BORDER PATROL OFFICERS
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Foreign News Report

The National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers (NAFBPO) extracts and condenses the material that follows from Mexican and Central and South American on-line media sources on a daily basis. You are free to disseminate this information, but we request that you credit NAFBPO as being the provider.

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Saturday 7/7/10

El Universal (Mexico City) 8/6/10

A clear and present danger

Last April the FBI warned of the risks that criminal organizations operating along the US-Mexico border could be used by terrorist groups to provide the means for transporting weapons of mass destruction into the US. The report presented to the US Congress in April by FBI Director Robert S. Mueller establishes that the potential for terrorist related activities associated with criminal gangs and organizations goes along with the increase of human and drug trafficking over the southwest border. This is a continuing and always present preoccupation that the criminal organizations could facilitate the smuggling of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons and their materials. The report points out that “globalization makes it easier to gain access to weapons of mass destruction and the transfer of materials.” This reduces the margin of security.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/179541.html

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Narco-blockades disrupting travel in Monterrey

More than 20 foreign and domestic flights were suspended for two hours Friday morning in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, due to blockages by narco gangs on the major route to the airport. Criminal groups used large tractor-trailer trucks parked across the highway to block traffic. Because of the blockades, airport officials suspended all flights between 0600 and 0800 hours. [No arrests were reported or reasons for the disrupting activity.]

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/700112.html

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Cartel terrorist tactics worry US

Washington (from El Universal correspondent) – The US State Department expressed its preoccupation regarding the increasing use of “terrorist tactics” by drug cartels in Mexico, which represent an additional challenge to Mexican law enforcement and a threat to the security of the US. “The cartels, in an increasing way, are using a military terrorist style to attack the (Mexican) security forces,” indicated an annual report from the US State Department issued Thursday. In the section of the report dedicated to Mexico, the US government considers that, despite that organized crime and the cartels have no connections with organized international terrorists like Al Qaeda, the escalation of violence by narcotraffickers has created “potential vulnerabilities” that terrorist organizations wishing to penetrate into the US might be able to exploit.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/179525.html

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/700051.html

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Narco seeking to destabilize Tamaulipas state

The governor of the US-Mexico border state of Tamaulipas, Eugenio Hernandez Flores, affirmed that criminal groups are trying to destabilize his state, referring to a car-bomb that exploded inside the Public Security complex in Ciudad Victoria, the state capital. The governor noted that, because of violent attacks that have occurred in various cities in the state, he alerted public security offices to maintain high levels of alert and coordination of forces.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/700226.html

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Cuarto Poder (Chiapas state) 8/6/10

Commentary on potential terrorist threat

[Columnist Mario Ruiz Redondo in Chiapas, one of Mexico’s southern border states, writes in part: ]

Porous southern border, ideal for terrorists. Here we have published it repeatedly: The national security of Mexico remains at permanent risk on the southern border with Central America due to there not existing even minimum control of foreigners of diverse nationalities, especially those as distant as the Arab countries, mainly Iraq, who enter Chiapas undocumented. In fact, they have become an excellent business for those who engage in the trafficking of illegals in conspiracy with immigration authorities, federal, state and municipal police. Despite the easy detection by their physical appearance and language, they cross without major problems en route to the US. This not so new problem is closely observed by North American agents of the CIA and FBI, infiltrated into the region without authorization by the Mexican government, a presence that reveals Washington’s preoccupation with the vulnerability of its backyard Mexicans, given the prevailing corruption among government representatives who make viable the transit of potential security risks to the North American territory. The report issued this Thursday, July 5, by the US State Department should concern Felipe Calderon’s administration since it warns that the vulnerability of Mexico’s northern and southern borders could be exploited by terrorists trying to enter the US. [The somewhat laborious commentary continues on this theme at length making the point that porosity on both borders enhances the risks of terrorism.]

http://www.cuarto-poder.com.mx/PagPrincipal_Noticia.aspx?idNoticia=61689&idNoticiaSeccion=8&idNoticiaSubseccion=28

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El Financiero (Mexico City) 8/6/10

Democrats criticized for “border security first” policy

Washington (Notimex) – Leaders of pro-immigrants criticized Democrats who control the US Congress for backing “border security first” in lieu of an integrated immigration reform. “The Democrats in the Senate choose to ignore reality by approving a project of ‘border security first’ that will not resolve our dysfunctional migratory system,” maintains the president of the National Immigration Forum, Ali Noorani. The Senate approved a bill by Democrats Charles Schumer and Claire McCaskill that assigns 600 million dollars to increase the number of border agents and unmanned aircraft along the border, among other measures. Legislators “continue throwing money at border security” when diverse sources report a reduction of crimes in that area, the reduction of illegal immigration and the fact that violence has not increased, maintained Noorani. He points out that these measures, “without a clear strategy for an integral immigration reform, are no more than political posturing and misspending of federal resources.”

http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/ElFinanciero/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr
.cfm?docId=278451&docTipo=1&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC

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Mexican Marines 4; Zetas 0

The office of the Mexican Navy reported that its infantry troops [Marines] engaged the militant armed criminal gang, Los Zetas, in a gun battle in Tamaulipas, killing four of the Zetas. The Marines were on routine patrol near the town of San Fernando when they were attacked by gunfire. During the firefight that ensued, four of the attackers, “presumed members of Los Zetas,” were killed. No military losses were recorded. After the attackers were forced into a retreat, the military seized a rocket launcher, 7 assault rifles, 3 grenades, unused ammo and other battle equipment.

http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/ElFinanciero/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr
.cfm?docId=278415&docTipo=1&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC

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Mexican Consuls on abuse alert

San Diego (Notimex) – The five Mexican Consulates in Arizona together launched a program translating to ‘Campaign of Preventive Protection 2010’ to prevent abuses against Mexicans in the state, according to Oscar de la Torre Amezcua, Consul in Douglas. The objective is to prevent violations of migrant rights and provide consular protection in cases when, unfortunately, our countrymen are objects of violation of rights,” he said.

http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/ElFinanciero/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr
.cfm?docId=278367&docTipo=1&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC

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Excelsior (Mexico City) 8/6/10

Racial discrimination in Mexico?

Veracruz – Some 2,500 indigenous Mexicans initiated a second National Indigenous Forum in Veracruz with the objective of unifying the 62 native ethnic groups in Mexico against discrimination, subjection, exploitation and marginalization. In Mexico, with a population of 107 million, there are some 12 million

indigenous people who mainly live in poverty and exclusion. Among Mexico’s 62 native groups, there are 50 to 70 different languages.

http://www.nuevoexcelsior.com.mx/index.php?m=nota&id_nota=646879

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Sunday 8/8/10

El Universal (Mexico City) 8/7/10

Calderon blames US arms for increased violence

Mexican President Felipe Calderon reiterated to the US government the urgency of closing the lengthy common border to the smuggling of arms that are falling into the hands of narcotraffickers in his country. In an interview on the Colombian Radio Caracol network, Calderon reported that the violence in Mexico has “increased enormously” since 2004 when US authorities lifted the prohibition on sales of assault weapons. Calderon said that in his three and a half years in office, Mexico has seized 85,000 weapons, including nearly 50,000 AK-47 and R-15 assault rifles, some 6,000 grenades, and dozens of .50 caliber Barrett rifles, arms he maintains were brought in from the US across the US-Mexican border. “If they want to seal the border, seal it against arms because it is prohibited to export them to countries where their use is prohibited,” he said.

Turning to the immigration issue, Calderon said that walls and barriers on the border “are not resolving the underlying problem and are creating an enormous pressure that leads nowhere.” He said that migration, “obeys economic and social phenomena that cannot be stopped by decree.”

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/700305.html

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La Jornada (Mexico City) 8/7/10

Federal Police in Cd. Juarez protest corrupt commander

At least 300 armed Federal Police blocked Lopez Mateos Avenue in Tijuana, Baja California, to demand the dismissal of a police commander they identified as “Salomon,” accused of having ties to organized crime. According to the demonstrators, Commander Salomon Alarcon, alias El Chaman, requests money from them and obliges them to do what he says, such as carrying out kidnappings and extortions, under the threat of “planting” drugs on them if they don’t obey. The demonstrators were demanding the presence of the general commissioner of the Federal Police, Facundo Rosas, who arrived at the location to talk with them.

http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2010/08/07/armados-200-policias-federales-exigen-destituir-a-comandante-en-juarez

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Monday 8/9/10

El Financiero (Mexico City) 8/8/10

Mexico seeks to sensitize US about dangers of arms traffic

Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Relations, Patricia Espinosa, said that her government seeks to “sensitize” the US Congress about the danger that arms trafficking represents to the security of both countries. She explains that the dealing of arms “not only affects Mexico, but also the US society,” where in cities like Washington and New Orleans, there are indications of “very dramatic” violence, beyond those of her country. Recognizing the divisiveness of this issue in the US, she is hoping for at least a return to the prohibition of assault rifle sales.

http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/ElFinanciero/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr
.cfm?docId=278543&docTipo=1&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC

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-end of report-

6 Responses to “OVER THE WEEKEND: CONCERNS OF POTENTIAL TERRORIST THREATS VIA MEXICO; U.S. BLAMED FOR INCREASE IN VIOLENCE”

  1. June Says:

    CALDERON BLAMES US…How many missives from Mexico have these headlines. Just once, I would like to hear Senor Calderon say, “Si, we know we’ve got the most corrupt country in the western hemisphere. We admit to urging our people to sneak into the US. We applaud their marches and demonstrations, especially the ones that burn the American flag, and demand all benefits reserved for citizens of that country. We understand how they wish to cling to their own language and customs, even though these practices will keep them alienated. But all this is done for love of America and the wish to become citizens.

  2. Sage Says:

    War on Drugs
    Since after spending billions of dollars fighting the ‘drug war’ within the US which war we have miserably lost, I suggest the following changes to really win the war:

    1. To obtain any government financial benefit, the recipient must pass a drug test. If he cannot pass, no welfare, food stamps, rent subsidy, health care, etc. etc. etc., which is immediately cut off. No exceptions.

    2. To obtain any license/permit required from any gov agency…drug test. Driver’s license, pilot license, contractor, sell real estate, doctor, lawyer, indian chief…..pass drug test. If not, license if revolked. No exceptions. That means all government workers also from the president on down. Don’t we have the right to know if the police or fireman that shows up at our door or elected official uses drugs or not?

    3. Want a student loan, FHA insured mtg?…..drug test.

    This would do two immediate things….demand for drugs would plummet causing the Mexican pipeline to plug up and save billions of tax dollars wasted on fighting a war that can never be won they way it is being faught.

    Simple really when you remove the politics from it.

    • pf Says:

      I love it! Of course your proposals will never fly in this wacked out society. Let’s add one more. Want to vote? You need to show proof of who you are and you cannot be on the public dole.

  3. Sage Says:

    Mexica has a culture of corruption and has been for hundreds of years and will never be different that what it is. We can do the following to control our part of this problem which I suggest the following:
    1. Secure the border, no matter what it takes or what it costs. Nothing can come in from either north or south.
    2. Give a 2 yr work visa to any illegal currently living in the US that can pass drug tes, give DNA/fingerprint sample to check if criminal, provide health insurance for himself. To renew visa he must return to his country of origin, show proof of payment of taxes in the US on earnings, another criminal background check and he is granted another 2 yr visa to work. If visa expires and he is still her and caught, he is immediately deported and can never return. He cannot use any taxpayer paid gov benefits while here and if he wants to become a citizen he can apply like everyone else. Until he is a citizen he can not be a member of any union.
    3. No automatic citizenship of ‘anchor baby’ born her of mother that is here illegally.

    Simple really when you remove the politics from the problem.

  4. DonH Says:

    “Calderon blames US arms for increased violence” Calderon still wants to blame arms traffic across the U.S.-Mexico border, when most of those arms are coming through his own, unsecured southern border. He still insists that unfettered migration of his own citizens into the U.S. is their right. What a political hack! Time to put armed troops on our own southern border to stop the flow. We don’t need any more impoverished, under educated people in this country who don’t speak our common language, English, and we don’t need any more narco traffic to dumb down our population!

  5. pf Says:

    Calderon blames US arms for increased violence
    He’s drinking the koolaid and playing the blame game. 17% of the arms have been shown to come from the U.S. – So what about the other 83%? Is Calderon going after them??

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