142-713: Luis Alberto Guerrero Reyes (died 10 May 2004) was a Mexican suspected drug lord and high-ranking member of Los Zetas , a criminal group based in Tamaulipas , Mexico . He joined the Mexican Army in 1987, specializing in explosives, martial arts and grenade launchers . In 1999, he deserted the military and joined the Gulf Cartel under kingpin Osiel Cárdenas Guillén , becoming one of the first members of its newly formed paramilitary wing, Los Zetas. Like Guerrero Reyes, most of
284-540: A shootout in 2015 as well as a massacre and clashes in 2019 . The state is located in the center west of the Mexican Republic, on the extreme southwest of the central highlands. It borders the states of Mexico, Querétaro, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Jalisco and Colima, with a 217 km (135 mi) coastline on the Pacific Ocean. The state has a territory of 58,836.95 km (22,717.07 sq mi), making it
426-467: A " failed state " and a haven for drug traffickers and criminals. The massacre of 72 migrants and the discovery of mass graves in San Fernando , the assassination of the gubernatorial candidate Rodolfo Torre Cantú , the increasing violence between cartels, and the state's inability to ensure safety have led some analysts to conclude that "neither the regional nor federal government have control over
568-518: A "Los Zetas Commando Medallion" for their service to the organization. It is reported that Los Zetas also uses women within their organizational structure. There is a female unit known as the Panteras , or panthers. These women use seduction to negotiate with military, law enforcement, and political personnel to help Los Zetas' goals. In the event that they are unable to obtain the desired outcome, they may kill their targets. The initial leader of this group
710-517: A city was codenamed "Z"; thus they were nicknamed as "Zetas", the Spanish word for the letter. After Osiel Cárdenas Guillén took control of the Gulf Cartel in 1997, he found himself in a violent turf war . To keep his organization and leadership from rival drug cartels and from the Mexican Army , Cárdenas sought out Decena, a retired army lieutenant. Decena lured more than thirty deserters from
852-458: A close association of former Los Zetas leader Hernán "El Comandante H" Martínez Zavaleta, who was arrested in 2017. In March 2020, senior Los Zetas operative Hugo Alejandro Salcido Cisneros, also known as "El Porras" or "Comandante Pinpon", was killed in a gun battle with police in Nuevo Laredo. Salcido Cisneros was the leader of the "Tropa del Infierno", a group of hitmen under the direction of
994-480: A crime for which he was tried and exiled to Spain where he would die in prison. During the first years of the Conquest, Michoacán was part of the "kingdom of Mexico" which included the current states of Mexico, Querétaro, Hidalgo , Tlaxcala , Oaxaca , Morelos , Guerrero, Veracruz , Tabasco , Michoacán, Guanajuato and parts of San Luis Potosí , Jalisco and Colima. These lands were divided into encomiendas among
1136-740: A disagreement over the drug corridor of Reynosa, whom both protected. Los Zetas demanded that the Cartel hand over the killer, but they refused. When the hostilities began, the Cartel joined forces with its former rivals, the Sinaloa Cartel and La Familia Michoacana , aiming to take out Los Zetas. Consequently, Los Zetas allied with the Beltrán-Leyva Cartel, the Juárez Cartel , and the Tijuana Cartel . In early 2010, Miguel Treviño Morales ,
1278-547: A farm known as Punta Selva in Matamoros. Guerrero Reyes provided instruction on how to use AK-47s, AR-15s with grenade launchers, and .50-calibre machine guns. He also taught how to conduct ambushes, rapid deployments, prisoner rescues, counter-insurgencies, intelligence gathering, marksmanship, aerial assault tactics, surveillance, and advanced communication techniques. The course included an intimidation tactics class and rigorous physical fitness tests. The training program lasted about
1420-511: A federal prison. The federal government condemned the mass prison break and stated that the work by the state and municipal authorities of Tamaulipas lack effective control measures, and urged them to strengthen their institutions. A confrontation inside a maximum security prison in Nuevo Laredo on 15 July 2011 left 7 inmates dead and 59 escaped. Five on-duty guards have not been found. The governor of Tamaulipas then acknowledged his inability to secure federal prisoners and prisons. Consequently,
1562-457: A long history of brutal violence, and with the possibility of more if the infighting continues and if they fight on without a central command. Los Zetas have also carried out multiple massacres and attacks on civilians and rival cartels, such as: In addition, sources reveal that Los Zetas may also be responsible for: By 2011, only 10 of the original 34 Zetas remained fugitives, and to this day most of them have either been killed or captured by
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#17328592155151704-740: A massive prison break in broad daylight by walking directly from the front gate to several trucks outside the prison. Tamaulipas police forces are the worst paid in Mexico despite being one of the states hardest hit by drug violence; in Aguascalientes , a state where violence levels are much lower, policemen are paid five times more than in Tamaulipas. As a result, most police forces in Tamaulipas are believed to be susceptible to corruption due to their low wages, and accept bribes from organized crime groups. The National Public Security System (SNSP) has condemned
1846-560: A month. These sessions in Matamoros lasted until September 2001, when Cárdenas Guillén ordered them to be moved to Nuevo León and other parts of Tamaulipas. Guerrero Reyes was also reportedly responsible for participating in two prison breaks in Tamaulipas and Michoacán . The first one occurred in Matamoros on 27 December 2002, when approximately fifty Zetas members stormed the Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 3 ("Noroeste") and released four inmates linked to
1988-486: Is San Juan Nuevo Parangaricutiro , which was founded due to the destruction of its original namesake by the eruption of the Paricutín volcano. The pre-Hispanic sites of Tingambato and Taretan are in this zone as well, which were important Purépecha cities. The town of Paracho is well known throughout both Mexico and elsewhere in the world as a hub of lutherie . This is because the town's craftsmen are reputed to making
2130-492: Is a Mexican criminal syndicate , known as one of the most dangerous of Mexico's drug cartels . They are known for engaging in brutally violent " shock and awe " tactics such as beheadings , torture , and indiscriminate murder. While primarily concerned with drug trafficking, the organization also ran profitable sex and gun rackets. Los Zetas also operated through protection rackets , assassinations, extortion , kidnappings and other illegal activities. The organization
2272-459: Is an important symbol in Purépecha culture. Numerous bird species can be found including water fowl such as ducks, storks and seabirds along the coast. Eagles , parrots, and hawks are found in the tropical and mountainous regions. Both owls and hummingbirds are important cultural symbols to the Purépecha. It is also one of three Mexican states where the tarantula species Brachypelma hamorii
2414-525: Is fed by streams such as Manzanilla and Zinamba. These two lakes are considered to be the main tourist attraction of the state. Most of the state's rivers and streams are located in the south region of the state, with the Balsas River being the most important. The most important tributaries of this river include the Cutzamala, Carácuaro and Tepalcatepec rivers. Within this region is the coastal watershed, which
2556-399: Is found, the other two being Jalisco and Colima . Tiger sharks , thresher sharks , and porpoises can be found in coastal waters. Reptiles including crocodiles, sea turtles , iguanas , snakes, and caimans can be found in the waterways and along the coastal regions. Michoacán includes critical over-wintering habitat for most of the monarch butterflies from eastern North America. To
2698-459: Is marked by appearance of many volcanoes, active, dormant, and extinct alike. This system is subdivided into regions such as the Sierra de Tancítaro, Sierra de Periban, Sierra de San Angel and others. The best-known volcano in this region is the Paricutín volcano. The state has a large number of lakes, waterfalls , lagoons , hot springs , and a natural system of waterways, including parts of two of
2840-488: Is named after Michoacán's largest port and oceanside city. Here the state stresses the kilometres of beaches and other natural areas in which to practice ecotourism and extreme sports. Beaches include Maruata, Faro de Bucerías, the Pichi Estuary, La Laguna de Mezcala, La Ticla and Nexpa, with the last two popular for surfing , with their regular two-three-meter waves. A number of these beaches are protected areas, due to being
2982-413: Is offered in communities which have twenty five or more qualified students. Less formal preschools are operated in smaller communities. As of 1996, there were 5,433 primary schools serving 705,694 students with 25,485 teachers. There is a failure rate from grade to grade of about 9.7% with just under five percent leaving school permanently before finishing primary studies. The most common reason for departure
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#17328592155153124-535: Is one of the 31 states which, together with Mexico City , comprise the Federal Entities of Mexico . The state is divided into 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia (formerly called Valladolid). The city was named after José María Morelos , a native of the city and one of the main heroes of the Mexican War of Independence . Michoacán is located in western Mexico, and has a stretch of coastline on
3266-479: Is poverty. At the secondary level there are 174,354 students, which represent 22% of these eligible to attend. High school level studies are mostly geared to vocational studies and many attend via distance education. There are 24 public and private institutions of higher learning offering 49 different majors. Eight are technical colleges, four for teachers, the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo,
3408-583: Is the area between the Sierra Madre del Sur and the coastline. This area includes small rivers such as the Coahuayana, Aquila, Ostula, Motín del Oro, Coire, Cachán and Nexpa which flow directly into the Pacific. Much of the climate of the state is determined by altitude and other geographical features. Average temperatures vary from 13 °C (55 °F) to 29 °C (84 °F). Lower temperatures correspond with
3550-457: Is the city of Lázaro Cárdenas which contains 2,926 m (9,600 ft) of dock space. The dock is used mostly for the shipping of minerals and grains. There are two major international airports, Morelia International Airport and Uruapan International Airport . Smaller facilities exist in Zamora and Lázaro Cárdenas. The state has abundant hydroelectrical production due to dams on the Balsas River,
3692-528: Is the second-largest producer of coke and third-largest producer of iron, which are essential to the steel industry, in Mexico. While there remains significant metallic deposits, their mining only contributes 1.64% to the economy. Most industrial activity is concentrated in the central region of the state, near the capital, where a number of industrial parks are located, such as Ciudad Industrial Morelia. However. there are other areas with industry, such as Apatzingán, Zamora, Jiquilpan and Sahuayo , as well as in
3834-650: The Apatzingán Valley , the Bajío area of Michoacán, the Zamora Valley and some others. Principal crops include corn, sorghum , avocados , strawberries , peaches, wheat, limes, sugar cane and mangos. While corn accounts for 43% of the crops harvested, Michoacán is the largest producer of avocados in Mexico and in the world. Forty three percent of farmland in the territory is dedicated to the raising of livestock, including cattle, domestic fowl, sheep, goats and pigs. In 2007,
3976-457: The Gulf Cartel , a criminal group based in Tamaulipas . He became a member of the cartel's newly created paramilitary group, Los Zetas , which was largely composed of ex-commandos. He was hired to work for the cartel boss Osiel Cárdenas Guillén , and was assigned under Zetas leader Arturo Guzmán Decena ("Z-1"). When Guerrero Reyes joined Los Zetas, the group's purpose was to provide security services to Cárdenas Guillén and conduct executions for
4118-476: The Lázaro Cárdenas area. Major production areas are iron and steel (34.27%), bottling (10.43%) and paper products (8.36%). Most people in the state are employed in service and commerce, and this sector contributes 19.07% to the overall economy. Most sales are in foodstuffs, drinks and tobacco. The state contains more than 12,804 km (7,956 mi) of federal, state and local roads. Major highways in
4260-613: The Mexican War of Independence in the early 18th century. This war was foreshadowed by the 1809 conspiracy in Valladolid. One of the early and main protagonists of the war, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla , was educated as a priest in the state and began to disseminate Enlightenment ideas here. Soon after Hidalgo performed the Grito de Dolores in Dolores (now Dolores Hidalgo ), Guanajuato, a number of people influenced by his thought took up arms against
4402-562: The Pacific Ocean to the southwest. It is bordered by the states of Colima and Jalisco to the west and northwest, Guanajuato to the north, Querétaro to the northeast, the State of México to the east, and Guerrero to the southeast. The name Michoacán is from Nahuatl : Michhuahcān [mit͡ʃˈwaʔkaːn] from michhuah [ˈmit͡ʃwaʔ] ' possessor of fish ' and -cān [kaːn] ' place of ' and means "place of
Luis Alberto Guerrero Reyes - Misplaced Pages Continue
4544-480: The Sinaloa Cartel , in physical territory. However, since the mid/late 2010s Los Zetas has become fragmented and seen its influence diminish, with most factions absorbed by their regional opposition or eliminated. As of March 2016, Grupo Bravo (Bravo Group), Los Talibanes (The Talibans), and Zetas Vieja Escuela (Old School Zetas) have formed an alliance with the Gulf Cartel against Cártel del Noreste (Cartel of
4686-407: The conquistadors . The provinces with the largest populations were called Alcaldias Mayores, with Michoacán being one of these, with its capital initially at Tzintzuntzan . Soon after, it was moved to Patzcuaro and eventually settled in what is now Morelia. The provincial and later state capital was founded by viceroy Antonio de Mendoza in 1541. It became the political and ecclesiastical center of
4828-465: The "Free and Sovereign State of Michoacán on January 31, 1824. This state was initially divided into 4 departments and 22 portions (partidos) under the Ley Territorial of 1825, with the first constitution ratified in the same year. The name of the capital was changed from Valladolid to Morelia at the same time. In 1831, the state was reorganized into 61 municipals and 207 locales (tenencias). Due to
4970-485: The 16th to the 18th centuries, Augustinian, Franciscan and Carmelite missions were constructed in the territory as well as civil constructions, especially in the city now known as Morelia. Mining in areas such as Angangueo , Tlalpujahua and Inguaran had begun, as well as the establishment of agricultural and livestock haciendas . The first school of higher education, called the Primera Casa de Altos Estudios en América,
5112-521: The 70th Infantry Battalion. From 11 April to 17 June 1989, he served as a paratrooper in the Parachute Rifle Brigade (BFP). In the BFP, he became a specialist in explosives, martial arts and grenade launchers . Guerrero Reyes was promoted to the rank of corporal in the infantry division on 1 November 1990 and was assigned to lead a small squadron of five soldiers. On 1 March 1992, he
5254-461: The Cartel Del Noreste (CDN) fraction of Los Zetas. Several other Tropa del Infierno gunmen was injured in the clashes as well. In May 2020, Moisés Escamilla, a leader of the "Old School Zetas" died in prison after contracting COVID-19 . The drug violence and political corruption that has plagued Tamaulipas , the home state of the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas, has fueled fears of it becoming
5396-399: The Cartel allegedly disagreed with. Los Zetas countered by posting their own banners throughout Tamaulipas, noting that they had carried out executions and kidnappings under orders of the Cartel and they were originally created for that sole purpose. In addition, Los Zetas charged that the Cartel was scapegoating them for the murders of innocent civilians. Reports vary as to who triggered
5538-525: The Cartel were Guillén and Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sánchez , while Los Zetas wanted to hand the leadership to their own head, Lazcano. The Cartel also reportedly began looking to form a truce with the rival Sinaloa Cartel, which Los Zetas did not want to recognize, allegedly preferring an alliance with the Beltrán-Leyva Cartel . Samuel Flores Borrego , a lieutenant of the Cartel, killed Zetas lieutenant Sergio Peña Mendoza, alias "El Concorde 3", due to
5680-614: The Day of the Dead celebrations), ice cream, churros , and ate, a kind of Mexican jelly made of many typical fruits. The state ministry of tourism has divided the state into regions, mostly based on the major cities of Morelia, Uruapan, Lázaro Cárdenas, Patzcuaro, Zamora and Zitácuaro. The state contains a large number of potential attractions, most of which are classified as suitable for ecotourism. However, only 6.2% of these sites are visited by international tourists. Most visitors to sites are from within
5822-539: The Dead celebrations in some parts of Michoacán, such as the towns of Janitzio and Pátzcuaro , are often considered to be the most elaborate and famous in all of Mexico. The famous Parícutin volcano, which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World , is located near the city of Uruapan . The state is known as "the soul of Mexico". According to archaeological evidence, there has been human habitation within
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5964-518: The Federal Police and the Mexican Army disarmed all police forces in Tamaulipas, beginning with the cities of Matamoros and Reynosa. The following month, the federal government was asked to send in troops to combat the drug cartels in the area, to "consolidate actions on public safety" and "strengthen the capacity of their institutions". However, the troops could only replace half of the policemen in
6106-716: The French in places like Zitácuaro , where much of the city was burned. One of the first victories against the French during the Intervention occurred in Zamora. In 1907, Michoacán's boundaries changed again with the addition of the communities of Pungarabato and Zirandaro added from Guerrero state to make the Balsas River a natural border. The Mexican Revolution came to Michoacán in 1911, when those loyal to Francisco I. Madero proclaimed Santa Clara del Cobre as their territory, then went on to take towns around Lake Patzcuaro under
6248-603: The Grande de Morelia and Queréndaro. The Central region is represented by lakes Pátzcuaro and Zirahuén . Lake Pátzcuaro has a surface area of 1,525 km . This lake is fed by a number of surface and subterranean water flows with the principal rivers leading here including the San Gregorio and Chapultepec. This lake has five islands within it called Janitzio , Yunuén, La Pacanda, Tecuén, Jarácuaro, Urandén and Carián. Lake Zirahuén has an area of 615 km (237 sq mi) and
6390-507: The Gulf Cartel. Investigators stated that the Zetas went into the prison dressed in police uniforms and driving vehicles similar to those from the Army. Once inside the prison, they identified themselves as federal officers and showed the prison staff a forged document ordering the release of four individuals. When the staff reviewed the document, they were disarmed by the gunmen, who then forcibly retrieved
6532-642: The Gulf-Zeta organization. On 30 January 2012, the Attorney General of Mexico issued a communiqué ordering the governors and their families to remain in the country as they are being investigated for possible collaboration with cartels. In 2012, Yarrington was further accused of money laundering for Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel. In Tampico , Mayor Óscar Pérez Inguanzo was arrested on 12 November 2011 due to his "improper exercise of public functions and forgery" of certain documents. In mid-2010, both Flores and
6674-702: The Instituto Michoacano de Ciencias de la Educación and ten private institutions. The Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo is located in Morelia. Its historical predecessor was founded in 1540, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the Americas. Carnitas are originally from Michoacán. Other traditional foods include cotija cheese , guacamole , morisqueta , tamales , pozole , enchiladas , mole sauce , and various sweets such as pan de muerto and chocolate champurrado (during
6816-944: The Lerma River and the Tepalcatepec River. One notable actress from Santa Elena , Michoacán is Elpidia Carrillo . She is best known for starring in the 1987 science fiction horror film Predator alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger . As of 1995, the state had eight television stations, with seven out of operation. There is a system of educational television with 528 broadcast antennas. Newspapers and news sites of Michoacán de Ocampo include: La Opinión de Apatzingán , a. m. de La Piedad , Diario ABC de Michoacán , El Diario Grande de Michoacán Provincia , El Sol de Morelia , El Sol de Zamora , Frecuencia Informativa Escrita , La Jornada Michoacán , La Opinión de Michoacán , La Voz de Michoacán. The state provides public education from preschool level to high school. "Formal preschool"
6958-562: The Liberty of the Mexican America) and "Sentimentos de la Nacion", both of which would shape constitutions and governments in the years to come. The first Mexican Supreme Court was also founded here. The Mexican War of Independence was culminated by the army of Agustín de Iturbide , also a Michoacán native, who took Morelia in May 1821. After the war ended in 1821, the territory of Michoacán became
7100-408: The Mexican Army and form the core of Los Zetas. The first 14 members became known as the "Group of 14" ( Grupo de los Catorce ) or simply "The 14" ( Los 14 ). In the early 2010s, analysts indicated that Los Zetas were the largest organized crime group in Mexico in terms of geographical presence. They are primarily based in the border region of Nuevo Laredo and Coahuila with hundreds more throughout
7242-473: The Mexican Congress from the then-Defense Secretary Clemente Vega, indicated that the Zetas had also hired at least 30 former Kaibiles from Guatemala to train new recruits because the number of former Mexican special forces men in their ranks had shrunk. Los Zetas' training locations have been identified as having a similar setup as military GAFE training facilities. Los Zetas members may also possess
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#17328592155157384-580: The Mexican War of Independence, such as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, José María Morelos and others were associated with this school. By the mid-19th century, the school had been secularized and renamed the Primitivo y Nacional Colegio de San Nicolás de Hidalgo adding studies such as chemistry, physics and other sciences. The current name and organization was adopted after the Mexican Revolution in 1917. From
7526-453: The Mexican law enforcement and military forces. As of 2012, Los Zetas had control over 11 states in Mexico, making it the drug cartel with the largest territory in the country. Their rivals, the Sinaloa Cartel, had lost some territories to Los Zetas, and went down from 23 states in dominion to 16. By the beginning of 2012, Mexico's government escalated its offensive against the Zetas with
7668-514: The Nahua, Otomi , Matlatzinca , Pirinda and Teco peoples as well as the Purépecha. The main pre-Hispanic civilization of the state is that of the Purépecha, which was centered in the Lake Pátzcuaro area. Before the 13th century, both Nahua and Purépecha peoples were here, sustaining themselves by agriculture and fishing. The Purépecha are descendants of a late arrival of Chichimeca who came from
7810-651: The Northeast). Another splinter group was formed also named Sangre Nueva Zeta (New Blood Zeta), allying themselves with the Jalisco Cartel as an armed wing. In March 2019, Texas Republican congressman Chip Roy introduced a bill that would list the Cartel Del Noreste faction of Los Zetas, Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Gulf Cartel as foreign terrorist organizations . Former United States President Donald Trump had also expressed interest in designating cartels as terrorist organizations. However such plans were halted at
7952-505: The PGR, the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) and the Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) for his outstanding charges. Known for his arrogance and violent behavior, Guerrero Reyes had an arrest warrant issued for his suspected involvement in multiple killings from 12 February to 10 March 2003. He was suspected of killing his girlfriend Erica Edith González, who was found dead in
8094-806: The PRI lost power to the National Action Party (PAN) in the 2000 presidential election , all the "agreements" between the previous government and the cartels were lost along with the pax mafiosa . Tamaulipas was no exception; according to PAN politician Santiago Creel , the PRI in Tamaulipas had been protecting the Gulf-Zeta organization for years. The PAN has claimed that government elections in Tamaulipas are likely to encounter an "organized crime influence". In addition, there are formal charges that three former governors of Tamaulipas – Manuel Cavazos Lerma (1993–1999), Tomás Yarrington (1999–2005), and Eugenio Hernández Flores (2005–2010) – have had close ties with
8236-651: The Purépechas, the monarch butterfly symbolizes the spirits of the dead as they journey from the afterlife . Protected areas in Michoacán include Barranca del Cupatitzio , Bosencheve , Cerro de Garnica , Insurgente José María Morelos , Lago de Camécuaro , and Rayón national parks , Monarch Butterfly and Zicuirán-Infiernillo biosphere reserves , and Pico de Tancítaro Flora and Fauna Protection Area . Lake Pátzcuaro and Zacapu Lagoon are Ramsar Sites , designated wetlands of international importance. The economy of
8378-543: The Sierra del Centro located near the border with the State of Mexico. Except for the Tierra Caliente, most of the state can experience freezing temperatures in the winter. Rainfall is also dependent on altitude with the lowlands receiving less rain than the mountain areas. There is a well-defined rainy season which extends from June to October over the entire state. Ecosystems vary by altitude. Between 2,600 and 3,500 m (8,500 and 11,500 ft) above sea level, most of
8520-505: The Spanish and the Tlaxcala. The Purépechas are noted by historians to be one of the few rare instances in the Americas were the indigenous people had some experience with metallurgy prior to the arrival of the Europeans, especially coppersmithing and other metal ores located in their empire. Their descendants are still widely regarded for this today. Prior to the arrival of any Spaniard in
8662-592: The Temple of San Francisco and the Eduardo Ruiz Municipal Museum. One other attraction is the narrowest house in the world as documented by the Guinness Book of World Records . Other important cities in the region are Apatzingán and Caracha. Uruapan is surrounded by hundreds of hectares of forests and by fertile fields growing fruits and flowers, many of which only grow here. Some of the natural attractions of
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#17328592155158804-703: The United States, including Texas. The cartel also has important areas of operation in Guatemala, where their operations are reported to have begun as early as 2008. They are active in Europe, specifically in Italy with the 'Ndrangheta . Early in 2012 it was reported that 'Los Zetas' are operating in the northern Venezuela – Colombia border, and have teamed up with the Colombian outfit called Los Rastrojos . Together they control
8946-473: The Zetas did not buy alliances so much as terrorize their enemies. Because the cartel was quite new at the time, it competed with more established cartels by using extreme violence and cruelty as a form of psychological warfare . They tortured victims, strung up bodies, and slaughtered indiscriminately. They preferred to take military-style control of territory, holding it through sheer force and exploiting its criminal opportunities. Although their military training
9088-586: The Zetas, and now the Zetas have disintegrated into Zetillas. They are splinter groups ('grupúsculos'), not big operators." On 14 July 2013, it was reported that the Mexican Marine Corps captured the Zetas leader Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, also known as "Z-40" in Anáhuac, Nuevo León , near the border of Tamaulipas state. The authorities allege that he was succeeded by Omar Treviño Morales (alias Z-42 ), his brother. On 12 October 2013, Mexican authorities captured alleged top Zetas operative Gerardo Jaramillo , alias "El Yanqui". His arrest ultimately resulted in
9230-426: The announcement that five new military bases will be installed in the group's primary areas of operation. On 9 October 2012, the Mexican Navy confirmed that Los Zetas leader Heriberto Lazcano had been killed in a firefight with Mexican marines in a state on the border with Texas . In a May 2013 interview with the International Crisis Group , researcher Daniel Haering stated, "The old networks were disrupted by
9372-411: The annual Festival Internacional de Música de Morelia . The festival consists of more than forty concerts with over 500 artists from Michoacán and from around the world. Other festivals include the popular SalsaMich that features a 3-day Salsa dance competition. The Festival Internacional de Cine de Morelia is celebrated annually that is dedicated to Mexican cinema . The Plaza Monumental de Morelia
9514-462: The area. Vasco de Quiroga succeeded Guzman, bringing Franciscan and Augustinian friars to both evangelize and repair the area's broken economy and social institutions. Quiroga founded the Spanish city of Patzcuaro in 1538, calling it the Ciudad de Mechuacán. For his efforts, Quiroga is still referred to in the Patzcuaro area as "Tata (grandfather) Vasco". The diocese of Michoacán was established in 1536 by Pope Paul III , and its boundaries coincide with
9656-426: The best sounding guitars and vihuelas in all of Mexico. The town is full of music shops that sell ten-string mandolins , armadillo -backed guitars ( concheras ), acoustic bass guitars; as well as regular classical guitars and mandolins, bajo sextos , vihuelas, guitarrones and many others. Many of the stores and workshops allow visitors to watch the guitar-making process directly. The Lázaro Cárdenas region
9798-400: The cartel after senior cartel member Gilberto García Mena was arrested in 2001. Several within the cartel blamed López Falcón for his arrest. Cárdenas Guillén reportedly commissioned Guerrero Reyes and others, including Zetas members Jesús Enrique Rejón Aguilar ("El Mamito"), Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano ("El Lazca") and/or Óscar Guerrero Silva ("El Winniepooh"), to execute him. López Falcón
9940-417: The cartel, Guerrero Reyes went by the alias "El Guerrero" (English: The Warrior), which derived from his surname Guerrero, and as "Beto", derived from his middle name, Alberto. He also held the code names of "Z-5" and "Z12-HK44". Guerrero Reyes is cited as one of the founding members of Los Zetas. He was reportedly part of the Grupo de los 14 (English: Group of 14), who were the first fourteen Zetas members. He
10082-428: The cartel. Over the years, Los Zetas underwent organizational changes and became increasingly involved in other criminal activities alongside the Gulf Cartel, including drug trafficking. With the collaboration of several Gulf Cartel and Zetas members, Guerrero Reyes forged alliances with South American drug suppliers like Andrea Posada Williamson , Rubén Darío Nieto Benjumea, Elkin Fernando Cano Villa and Edwin Torrado. In
10224-466: The central and eastern portions of the state. Rainforest areas are estimated at 460,500 hectares. One problem facing the forested areas of the state is unsustainable logging. In addition to exploitable forest, there are also ecological reserves with tourist importance, especially the various monarch butterfly sanctuaries in the extreme east of the state. Michoacán's lakes, rivers and coastline make it an important producer of fish and seafood, both caught in
10366-511: The city of Reynosa . On 3 March 2015, Mexican security forces arrested the last known leader of the remaining Zetas structure, Omar Treviño Morales (alias "Z-42") in a suburb in Monterrey, Nuevo León. On 23 March 2015, Ramiro Pérez Moreno (alias "El Rana"), a potential successor of "Z-42" was captured, along with 4 other men, carrying 6 kilos of cocaine and marijuana, rifles and one hand grenade. On 9 February 2018, Mexican authorities arrested
10508-516: The colonial government. These included Manuel de la Torre Lloreda , Gertrudis Bocanegra , José María Garcia Obeso and Ignacio López Rayón . During his campaign, Hidalgo returned to Valladolid, issuing a decree eliminating slavery. After Hidalgo's death, much of the insurgency and spies against the Spanish viceroy were located in Michoacán, with documents such as the "Primera Constitución o Decreto Constitucional para la Libertad de la América Mexicana" (First Constitution or Constitutional Decree for
10650-882: The country's largest rivers, the Lerma and the Balsas. These waterways are divided into three regions, called the North, Central and South. The North region includes the Lerma Basin. On the Lerma River is the Tepuxtepec Dam which has a capacity of 371 million m . Rivers that empty into the Lerma in Michoacán include the Tlalpuhahua, Cachivi and Duero. Another river basin here is that of Lake Cuitzeo , which extends over an area of 3,618 m (38,940 sq ft). The two main rivers that feed this lake are
10792-603: The country. They have placed lookouts at arrival destinations such as airports, bus stations and main roads. In addition to conducting criminal activities along the border, they operate throughout the Gulf of Mexico , in the southern states of Tabasco , Yucatán , Quintana Roo , and Chiapas , and in the Pacific Coast states of Guerrero , Oaxaca , and Michoacán , as well as in Mexico City . They are also active in several states in
10934-426: The discotheque and was described by authorities as a regular in strip clubs and night clubs in Matamoros. Besides Guerrero Reyes, four other people were killed. One of them was Leandro García González, a former Matamoros Municipal Police officer and alleged cartel member. The other victims were female and identified as Perla Lourdes García Torres, Rosa Isela Purata Cárdenas and Nancy López González. Four of them died at
11076-402: The discovery and seizure of a large Zetas weapons cache and supply stash, including "assault rifles, several grenade launchers, magazines, 2,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, bullet-proof vests and balaclavas ". On 9 May 2014, one of the founding members, Galindo Mellado Cruz , and four other armed men were killed in a shootout after Mexican security forces raided Cruz's hideout in
11218-657: The drug trafficking routes in the Colombian La Guajira and the Venezuelan state of Zulia , Colombia as the producing country and Venezuela as the main port route toward the U.S. and Europe. Michoac%C3%A1n Michoacán , formally Michoacán de Ocampo ( Spanish pronunciation: [mitʃoaˈkan de oˈkampo] ; Purépecha : P'uɽempo ), officially the Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo ' Free and Sovereign State of Michoacán de Ocampo ' ,
11360-468: The elite Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales (GAFE) to become his personal bodyguards, and later, as his mercenary wing. These deserters were enticed with salaries much higher than what they were paid by the military. Some of these former GAFE members reportedly received training in commando and urban warfare from the Israeli and U.S. Special Forces . Once Guillén consolidated his power, he expanded
11502-456: The empire. By the late 15th century, this state rivaled that of the Aztecs, having expanded their territory over much of what is now Michoacán and into part of Colima , Nayarit , Querétaro , Guanajuato , Guerrero and Jalisco . The Aztecs attempted to invade the Purépecha but were repelled. Because of this attack, the Purépecha later denied the Aztecs aid in their defense of Tenochtitlan against
11644-540: The federal government assigned the Mexican Army and the Federal Police to guard some prisons until further notice; they were also left in charge of searching for the fugitives. It has been reported that more than 400 prison inmates escaped from several Tamaulipas prisons from January 2010 to March 2011 due to corruption. On 17 September 2012 in Piedras Negras, Coahuila , more than 130 inmates from Los Zetas organized
11786-501: The first members of Los Zetas were ex-military. Los Zetas was responsible for providing security services to Cárdenas Guillén and carrying out executions on the cartel's behalf. Known for his arrogance and violent behavior, Guerrero Reyes was a suspect in multiple murders, including those of his girlfriend and wife. Investigators suspect he was part of the commando group that assassinated kingpin Edelio López Falcón . Guerrero Reyes
11928-575: The fishermen", referring to those who fish on Lake Pátzcuaro . In pre-Hispanic times, the area was the home of the Purépecha Empire , which rivaled the Aztec Empire at the time of Spanish encounter. After the Spanish conquest , the empire became a separate province which became smaller over the colonial period. The state and its residents played a major role in the Mexican War of Independence . Today,
12070-429: The formal split and why. Some sources claim that Guillén, brother of Cárdenas and one of the successors of the Gulf Cartel, was addicted to gambling, sex, and drugs, leading Los Zetas to perceive his leadership as a threat to the organization. Other reports mention, however, that the divide occurred due to a disagreement on who would take on the leadership of the cartel after the extradition of Cárdenas. The candidates from
12212-526: The former second-in-command of Los Zetas, had reportedly taken the leadership of the Zetas and displaced Lazcano. Lazcano was initially content to have Morales in his ranks, but reportedly gave Morales too much power and underestimated his violent nature. Morales' active leadership gained him the loyalty and respect of many in Los Zetas, leading many to eventually stop paying their tributes to Lazcano. Los Zetas are inherently an unstable organized crime group with
12354-465: The four prisoners. The second incident occurred in Apatzingán on 4 January 2004, when approximately forty Zetas members stormed the penitentiary to release five imprisoned Gulf Cartel members linked to Carlos Rosales Mendoza ("El Tísico"). They entered the prison wearing police uniforms and simulated carrying out a routine inspection. Once inside the prison, they overwhelmed the guards and penetrated
12496-575: The group. In response to the rising power of the Gulf Cartel, the rival Sinaloa Cartel established Los Negros , an enforcer group similar to Los Zetas but not as complex or successful. Upon the arrest of Guillén in March 2003 and his extradition in 2007, the Zetas took a more active leadership role within the Gulf Cartel and their influence grew within the organization. The Zetas' membership ranges from corrupt federal, state, and local police officers, and former U.S. Army personnel, to ex- Kaibiles ,
12638-412: The highland areas in the north and east while the lower south and west, called La Costa (the coast) or Tierra Caliente (hot land) register higher temperatures. In the hotter lowlands, high temperatures regularly exceed 30 °C (86 °F) and have been known to reach over 40 °C (104 °F) in the summer. The lowest temperatures are registered in highland areas such as the Sierra de Coalcomán and
12780-660: The leadership of Salvador Escalante . The governor of the state, Aristeo Mendoza, resigned. Fighting among various factions would continue in parts of the state for the rest of the war. The state's current constitution was ratified in 1918. In 1920, the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo was founded. Soon after the end of the Revolution, the Cristero War would affect the state, which affected agricultural production and distribution. In 1926, hostilities closed
12922-486: The low police salaries, and demanded that state and municipal authorities create better payment programs for policemen so they can have a fair wage for themselves and their families. Although the Joint Operation Nuevo León-Tamaulipas issued in 2007, along with several other military-led operations by the federal government, brought thousands of troops to restore order in Tamaulipas, on 9 May 2011,
13064-426: The mayor of Reynosa, Óscar Luebbert Gutiérrez – both members of the PRI – were criticized for claiming that there were no armed confrontations in Tamaulipas and that the widespread violence was "only a rumor". Months later, Flores finally acknowledged that several parts of Tamaulipas were "being overrun by organized crime violence". Gutiérrez later recognized the work of the federal troops and acknowledged that his city
13206-634: The new leader José María Guízar Valencia alias "Z-43" in Mexico City in Roma neighbourhood. US offered $ 5m reward for his capture, he is responsible for importing thousands of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine to the US every year and murdered an untold number of Guatemalan civilians during the systematic takeover of the Guatemalan border region. On 9 April 2019, José Roberto Stolberg Becerra, also known as "La Barbie",
13348-567: The north. At Lake Patzcuaro, they came upon people with similar cultures to their own but who were more technological and socially advanced. The formation of the Purépechan state in the 13th century, when these people started their own dominion at Uayameo, today Santa Fé de la Laguna , and becoming dominant over the entire Lake Patzcuaro area by the 15th century. Conquest of neighboring tribes and territories occurred between 1401 and 1450, as they absorbed peoples with different cultures and languages into
13490-568: The old Purépecha kingdom . Its first bishop was Vasco de Quiroga. The Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo began as the Colegio de San Nicolas Obispo, founded by Vasco de Quiroga in Patzcuaro in 1540. It was originally a seminary for the training of evangelists. It was granted a royal seal in 1543 to become the Real Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo. The school was moved to Morelia in 1580 and
13632-686: The press stated that it was organized crime-related. U.S. and Mexican authorities did not confirm if the attack was carried out by the Gulf Cartel or conducted by a rival gang which had sprung up in high numbers after the arrest of Cárdenas Guillén. Guerrero Reyes's code name Z-5 was vacated after his death and taken by Zetas member Braulio Arellano Domínguez , who initially held the code name Z-20. Los Zetas Rest of North America : United States , Guatemala , El Salvador , Honduras , Costa Rica , Nicaragua South America : Colombia , Peru , Panama , and Venezuela Los Zetas ( pronounced [los ˈsetas] , Spanish for "The Zs")
13774-563: The province after the death of Vasco de Quiroga in 1565. Soon after the Spanish Conquest, evangelists from the Franciscan , Augustinian , Carmelite and other orders established monasteries all over the territory. Some of the best-known are Juan de Moya , Martín de la Coruña and Jacob the Dacian . As first governor, Nuño de Guzmán disrupted and devastated the social and economic order of
13916-405: The request of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador . Los Zetas was named after its first commander, Arturo Guzmán Decena , whose Federal Judicial Police radio code was "Z1", a code given to high-ranking officers. The radio code for commanding Federal Judicial Police officers in Mexico was "Y" and those officers are nicknamed " Yankees ", while Federal Judicial Police in charge of
14058-509: The responsibilities of Los Zetas, which began to organize kidnappings , protection rackets , extortion , securing cocaine supply and trafficking routes known as plazas (zones) and executing its foes, often with extreme violence. However, in November 2002, Decena was killed in a military action at a restaurant in Matamoros, Tamaulipas , allowing Heriberto Lazcano ("Z3") to take control of
14200-407: The rural community of La Venada along with two other people, and of his wife Jovanna Lizbeth Melchor Ceballos, who was killed with another man. According to the PGR and SEDENA, Guerrero Reyes was also a main suspect in the murder of kingpin Edelio López Falcón ("El Yeyo"). López Falcón was a former member of the Gulf Cartel, but left to join a rival criminal group after he encountered differences with
14342-411: The scene to remove the grenades from Garcia's hand and from Guerrero Reyes' corpse. They were able to remove it without causing a detonation, but it took them around eight hours to defuse Guerrero Reyes's grenade. The vehicle was hit over 100 times with automatic and semi-automatic firearms; many made it through the windshield. Inside the vehicle, the police found two handguns and a machine gun. The vehicle
14484-467: The scene, but the last one was taken alive to the Dr. Alfredo Pumarejo Hospital , where she eventually succumbed to her wounds. The victims' ages and addresses were not revealed to the press. Neighbors and witnesses stated that the shootout lasted between three and five minutes. One resident stated that at first he thought the noise was caused by the muffler of a vehicle, but as the attack progressed, he realized it
14626-420: The security doors. During the raid, around twenty other inmates managed to escape. On 18 June 2003, Mexico's Attorney General's Office (PGR) placed an unspecified bounty on 31 members of Los Zetas, including Guerrero Reyes. Authorities stated that he was "highly dangerous" given his military background and his suspected role in homicides, drug trafficking, kidnappings, and carjackings . This announcement
14768-501: The seminaries in Morelia and Zamora. Near the end of the war, Lázaro Cárdenas was elected governor of the state and served until 1932; he became president of Mexico in 1934. Michoacán has been badly affected by the Mexican Drug War , due to its methamphetamine and marijuana production. That resulted in the start of an anti-drug trafficking campaign in 2006 , an anti-narcotics operation since 2006 , grenade attacks in 2008 ,
14910-610: The sixteenth-largest in Mexico (exactly at the midpoint among Mexican states in area). It also has 1,490 km (580 sq mi) of marine territory off its Pacific coast. The state is crossed by the Sierra Madre del Sur , the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Inter-mountain Valleys region. The Sierra Madre del Sur crosses the state northwest to southeast for approximately 200 km (120 mi) in
15052-602: The southwest between the municipalities of Chinicuila and Arteaga along the Pacific Coast. It is considered to be a continuation of the Sierra Madre Occidental . Peaks in this range average about 2,900 m (9,500 ft) above sea level, with the largest being the Cerro de las Canoas. The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt crosses the state from west to east toward the Toluca Valley and Valley of Mexico . This mountain range
15194-565: The special forces of the Guatemalan military . Over time, many of the Zetas' original thirty-one members have been killed or arrested; a number of younger men have filled the vacuum, but the group as currently extant remains far from the efficiency of their paramilitary origins. Los Zetas was partially responsible for a qualitative increase in the brutality of the violence seen during the Modern Mexican Drug Wars . Unlike other cartels,
15336-509: The state became a department again, regaining state status in 1856. In 1857, Contepec was separated from the state of Guanajuato and attached to Michoacán. In 1863, the diocese of Michoacán was reduced in size, but its status was also elevated to archdiocese. During the French Intervention in Mexico , Morelia was taken by French forces in 1863. Since resistance to the French was particularly strong here, punitive acts were undertaken by
15478-473: The state include Federal Highway 15 and the Morelia-Patzcuaro highway. Intercity and interstate buses provide connections to places within the state and the rest of Mexico. About 91% of these bus lines are second class while just under nine percent are first class. Most rail lines are limited to the north and center of the state, providing freight service to Mexico City and Guadalajara. The state's main port
15620-421: The state is based on agriculture, ranching, forest products, fishing and crafts. Most of the population is employed in three sectors: agriculture (34%), mining and manufacturing (23%), and commerce (37%). Agriculture occupies over a million hectares of land in the state or 20% of the land area. Three-fifths of this agriculture occurs only during the rainy season. Irrigation farming is restricted to areas such as
15762-553: The state is still home to a sizable population of Purépecha people as well as minor populations of Otomi and Nahua . The economy is based on agriculture, ranching, fishing, mining, and the arts. The major tourism draw for the state is the Lake Pátzcuaro –Tzintzuntzan–Quiroga area, which was the center of the Purépecha Empire ; as well as the location of the Tzintzuntzan yácata pyramids. The national and state parks which include
15904-411: The state's production of meat, dairy and eggs was valued at over four billion pesos. Sixty percent of the state is covered in forest, with the most economically important of these located in the higher elevations at the eastern side. These forests mostly produce lumber and resin. These areas are estimated at 2,160,000 hectares, over half of which is pine forest. The most productive forests are located in
16046-778: The state. The Morelia region stresses its cultural and artistic heritage, especially its colonial architecture . The most important colonial structures are in Morelia and built in the 18th century. These include the cathedral, finished in 1744 and the main aqueduct finished at the end of the century. This architecture has made the city a World Heritage Site. In addition to the state capital, the region includes towns such as Charo, Capula, Tiripetio, Cuitzeo and Huandacareo , which contain archaeological sites, water parks and traditional cuisine. The rural areas of this zone contain more than 400 thermal springs, many of which have been turned into recreational areas and parks. These include Reino de Atzimba, Cointzio, Huandacareo and El Ejido. Morelia holds
16188-464: The state. Consequently, the government is currently building military bases in Ciudad Mier , San Fernando and Ciudad Mante . On 7 November 2011, 650 policemen were released from their duties because they had either failed or refused "corruption control tests". Los Zetas have set up camps to train recruits as well as corrupt ex-federal, state, and local police officers. In September 2005 testimony to
16330-410: The struggle between centralists and federalists in Mexico in the 19th century, Michoacán's rights as an entity would change depending on who was in control. The state was declared a department in 1836 but became a more independent state again in 1846. Colima broke off from Michoacán to form its own state in this year. In 1849, the municipality of Coyuca was separated to form the state of Guerrero. In 1853,
16472-530: The territory it has today. During the entire colonial period, the economy was concentrated in the hands of the Spanish-born, who held vast lands and haciendas. They also held the rights over minerals mined in places such as Tlalpujahua, Angangueo and Huetamo . Indigenous peoples were exploited for their work, and slavery was not uncommon. Education was restricted for only those born in Spain and their descendants and
16614-616: The territory of Tamaulipas." Although drug-related violence had existed long before the Mexican Drug War, it often happened in low-profile levels, with the government "looking the other way" in exchange for bribes while drug traffickers went about their business – as long as there was no violence. During the 71-year rule of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the Mexican government would conduct customary arrests and allow cartel business to continue. After
16756-557: The territory of the Mexican state of Michoacán for at least 10,000 years. In the pre-Hispanic period, there were waves of migration into the area, including the Pirinda, Nahua , Huetamo, Colima, Purépecha and other peoples. There are sites of formal settlements from all Mesoamerican periods. Important sites include El Opeño and those in Curutarán , Tepalcatepec , Apatzingán , Zinapécuaro and Coalcomán . The territory has been inhabited by
16898-488: The territory, then-ruler Zuanga died of smallpox , presumably carried by one of the Aztec delegations seeking military aid. He was succeeded by Tanganxoan II . The first Spaniard to the area was Cristóbal de Olid . The Spanish destruction of Tenochtitlan and their promise to allow him to remain ruler convinced Tanganxoan II to submit to Spanish rule. But, Nuño de Guzmán reneged on this agreement and killed Tanganxoan II in 1530,
17040-501: The vegetation are conifer forests. Between 1,000 and 2,600 m (3,300 and 8,500 ft), there are mixed forests and below this are broadleaf or tropical forests. Tree species include oak, cedar, and pine. Mango trees can be found in the eastern and western regions. Animal types vary from region to region but among mammals these can be found: skunks , raccoons , cacomistle , coyotes , lynxes , rabbits, bats , deer , armadillos , mountain lions , foxes, and jaguars . The latter
17182-512: The victims. Following the capture and extradition of Cárdenas, Los Zetas became so powerful that they outnumbered and outclassed the Gulf Cartel in revenue, membership, and influence by 2010. As a result of this imbalance, the Cartel tried to curtail their own enforcers' influence and ended up instigating a civil war. In addition, the Cartel, through its narco-banners in Matamoros and Reynosa , accused Los Zetas of expanding their operations to murder, theft, extortion, kidnapping – actions that
17324-823: The wild and farmed. The most important commercial fishing is for tilapia and carp . Mining is an important economic activity in the state, which is mostly concentrated on the eastern side near the Mexico State border. However, iron is mined in the Lázaro Cárdenas area near the coast. Both metallic and non-metallic minerals are mined in the state. These include silver, gold, zinc , cadmium , lead, iron, copper, fill dirt , sand , gravel , lime , limestone , marble , and others. There are thirteen principal mining areas: Tlalpujahua, Angangueo, Los Azufres, Real de Otzumatlán, Tzitzio, Tiámaro, El Bastán, San Diego Curucupacéo, Inguarán, Las Truchas, and La Minita de Coalcomán. Michoacán
17466-413: The winter grounds of the monarch butterflies ( Mariposas Monarca ) are located here. Michoacán is known for its Spanish colonial towns. In 1991, Morelia was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved colonial buildings, pink stone cathedral, historic center, and aqueduct. Michoacán has eight Pueblos Mágicos ; such as the towns of Tlalpujahua and Santa Clara del Cobre . Day of
17608-683: The zone include the Santa Catarina Dam and the La Tzaráacua and La Tzararacuita waterfalls. Smaller towns and villages in this region are known for their religious and popular festivals, many of which occur in the summer. Examples of these are the feasts of Señor del Calvario in Quinceo, of San Mateo Ahuiran in Paracho and the National Guitar Festival in Paracho. The best-known town in the region
17750-407: Was Ashly "La Comandante Bombón" Narro López; she was captured in 2009 in connection to the murder of General Tello Quiñones. Women also work within the cartel as plaza bosses, administrators, mediators, and shooters. Arturo Guzman was initially tasked by Cardenas to recruit 20 men to murder his rival Rolando Lopez Salinas. Guzman and Lazcano were eventually able to convince 34 GAFE operators to leave
17892-464: Was a shootout. The Mexican Federal Police arrived at the scene along with the Tamaulipas State Police and municipal police officers. Onlookers arrived at the scene to observe the aftermath hours later. Investigators discovered that Garcia's corpse was holding a grenade in his hand. Guerrero Reyes was wearing a grenade as a necklace. Matamoros fire fighters and bomb specialists were called to
18034-431: Was also an instructor to new Zetas members, training them in combat and counter-insurgency. In 2004, he was killed in a drive-by shooting by unknown assailants along with four other people after he left a discotheque in Matamoros . His murder remains unsolved; it is not known if he was killed by his own cartel or by rival gangsters. Guerrero Reyes joined the Mexican Army on 1 March 1987, as an infantry soldier in
18176-472: Was arrested for, but they did confirm that he was captured for driving the vehicle that was presumably used by the assassins. It was later revealed that Guerrero Reyes was killed by four unidentified hitmen who carried out the attack in a white taxi. The motive behind the attack was not revealed, and state police chief Arturo Pedroza Aguirre said it was too early to determine if a drug cartel was involved. However, Mexican investigators not authorized to speak with
18318-871: Was arrested in Jalisco. He was reported to have been the leader of the cartel's Los Zetas la Vieja Escuela (Old School Zetas) faction. On 26 May 2019, an operative for Los Zetas in the Veracruz municipalities of Las Choapas and Agua Dulce was arrested by the Mexican Navy. In early July 2019, Los Zetas leaders Jorge Antonio "El Yorch" Gloria Palacios, the second-in-command of the Cartel Del Noreste (CDN) faction of Los Zetas, and Hugo "El Ganso" Sanchez Garcia, who served as head of Los Zetas in San Fernando, were detained by Mexican authorities. In January 2020, Los Zetas regional leader José Carmen N., also known as "El Comandante Reyes",
18460-562: Was arrested in Oaxaca. He was believed to be in charge of the gang's operations in 12 municipalities in Veracruz, including Acayucan, Minatitlán and Coatzacoalcos, known as the state's most violent towns. The same month, Verónica Hernández Giadáns, the Attorney General of Veracruz, admitted that her cousin Guadalupe "La Jefa" Hernández Hervis was in fact chief of operations for Los Zetas and also
18602-568: Was based in Nuevo Laredo , Tamaulipas, directly across the border from Laredo , Texas. The origins of Los Zetas date back to the late 1990s, when commandos of the Mexican Army deserted their ranks and began working as the enforcement arm of the Gulf Cartel . In February 2010, Los Zetas broke away and formed their own criminal organization, rivalling the Gulf Cartel. They were at one point Mexico's largest and most expansive drug cartel in terms of geographical presence, overtaking their rivals,
18744-401: Was based out of Matamoros . According to the testimony of Agustín Hernández Martínez, a close associate of Cárdenas Guillén, who later became a protected witness under the code name "Rafael", Guerrero Reyes was also an instructor for new Zetas recruits. Under the instruction of Guzmán Decena, Guerrero Reyes and former Army lieutenant Carlos Hau Castañeda led Los Zetas's first training course at
18886-587: Was controlled by the Church. The main educational institutions were the Colegio de San Nicolas, founded in the 16th century; and the Seminary of San Pedro and San Pablo, founded in the 18th century. These schools produced a number of distinguished men, but the best-known is Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla . At the end of the 18th century, ideas from Europe began to infiltrate the upper classes of the state, especially in Valladolid (Morelia) and Zamora . These would eventually lead to
19028-538: Was diluted over time, their brutality was not. Rival cartels struggling against the Zetas began to adopt some of their tactics, further ramping up violence in the country. As other organized crime groups subsequently copied the Zetas' brutal and superfluous methods to ensure they could survive, this resulted in the violence in Mexico escalating to much higher levels and to new forms. Some of these newer tortures and hyper-violent execution styles included practices such as flaying and castration as well as public displays of
19170-493: Was established in 1951, which was destined exclusively for bullfights . Nowadays, the ring also hosts concerts, lucha libre , and weddings. The Uruapan region stresses its cultural and natural heritage. The city is one of the oldest settlements in the state, which was initially settled by the Meseta Purépecha . This city contains a number of attractions such as La Huatápera, colonial era hospital founded by Vasco de Quiroga,
19312-538: Was experiencing "an escalation in violence". On 25 March 2010, forty inmates escaped from a federal prison in the city of Matamoros. On 5 April 2010, at a prison in Reynosa, a convoy of ten trucks packed with gunmen entered the prison grounds without resistance, broke into the cells, and liberated thirteen "extremely dangerous" inmates. Eighty-five inmates escaped from the same Reynosa prison six months later. In Nuevo Laredo , on 17 December 2010, 141 inmates escaped from
19454-457: Was founded by Alonso de la Veracruz in Tiripetío . Michoacán was made a separate province from "Mexico" in 1602. By the mid-17th century, the indigenous population had declined by half. In 1776, the territory of Michoacán was reduced to the area in which the modern states of Michoacán and Colima are now. Soon after, Colima split to join with the province of Guadalajara, leaving Michoacán roughly with
19596-490: Was fused with the Colegio de San Miguel Guayangareo. In 1590, its name was changed to the Seminario Tridentino, afterwards to Seminario Conciliar in 1601. By the end of the 17th century, the name returned to Colegio de San Nicolás but its structure was profoundly changed, adding studies such as philosophy, civil law, and others. At the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, a number of figures associated with
19738-546: Was killed inside a restaurant on 6 May 2003. At around 4:30 a.m. on 10 May 2004, Guerrero Reyes was killed by unknown assailants in a drive-by shooting in Matamoros. The attack occurred before dawn near the Wild West discotheque while Guerrero Reyes was inside a silver Jeep Liberty between Michoacán and 16 de Septiembre streets in Colonia Modelo, an industrial neighborhood. Guerrero Reyes had just left
19880-488: Was made after the Specialized Unit Against Organized Crime (UEDO) identified him as a high-ranking member of Los Zetas following the 14 March 2003 arrest of Cárdenas Guillén. Unlike other Zetas members who voluntarily requested their release from the military, Guerrero Reyes had deserted and joined organized crime, which is considered high treason in a military court. Guerrero Reyes was wanted by
20022-543: Was promoted to second degree sergeant. Guerrero Reyes reportedly received military and counter-drug training in the United States. He also received special forces training as a member of the elite Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales (GAFE). In addition to his military duties, he was also assigned to work temporarily in the National Counter-Narcotics Institute (INCD). He deserted from the military on 4 January 1999. After this, Guerrero Reyes joined
20164-528: Was sent to the Tamaulipas State Police headquarters in southern Matamoros for further investigation. Near the crime scene, the police arrested José Jesús Quintanilla (aged 19). He was driving a white Ford Mustang that authorities suspected was used by the shooters as a getaway vehicle. The vehicle was also taken to the state police headquarters. A police officer identified Quintanilla as a local customs broker; authorities did not reveal what charges he
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