Thread: Mexico Under Siege - The drug war at our doorstep UPDATED

Mexico Under Siege - The drug war at our doorstep

You can read all of these article from this series and see the pictures at this link:

http://projects.latimes.com/mexico-drug-war/#/its-a-war

Date Dateline Byline Type Headline tags

Nov. 25, 20092009-11-25 TijuanaTijuana Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory Mexico tightens security at U.S. border crossings
The new infrastructure -- including gates, cameras and vehicle scales -- aims to hamper the smuggling of drug money and weapons to Mexican cartels. Businesses are protesting the increased wait times.Mexico tightens security at U.S. border crossings smugglers baja tijuananull

Nov. 17, 20092009-11-17 San Luis PotosiSan Luis Potosi Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Fixing Mexico police becomes a priority
Reversing police corruption that has tainted whole departments, shattered faith in law enforcement and compromised one of society's most basic institutions is proving difficult, but not impossible. Fixing Mexico police becomes a priority corruption criminal_justice culture kidnappings police politics solutions san-luis-potosinull

Nov. 9, 20092009-11-09 CuliacanCuliacan Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Women play growing role in Mexico's drug war
Addiction, the economy and the lure of living well have sucked many into the narcotics underworld. The trend threatens the foundations of Mexican society. Women play growing role in Mexico's drug war addiction chapo_guzman culture economy sinaloa_cartel smugglers culiacan mexico-city sinaloanull

Oct. 29, 20092009-10-29 Mexico CityMexico City Cecilia Sanchez, Tracy WilkinsonSanchez StoryStory Song banned, band pulls out
Los Tigres del Norte are initially barred from playing their latest drug-trade lyrics. Song banned, band pulls out culture los-angeles mexico-city sinaloanull

Oct. 28, 20092009-10-28 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Grim glossary of the narco-world
Average words aren't sufficient for the over-the-top violence of Mexico's drug war, so new ones have been invented. Grim glossary of the narco-world addiction civilian_casualties criminal_justice homicides kidnappings narcomessages police politics pozole ciudad-juarez mexico-citynull

Oct. 23, 20092009-10-23 CuliacanCuliacan Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory In drug-trafficking hub, artist is in demand
Between mansions for the living and mausoleums for the dead, there is work to be had in the Sinaloa capital for painter and sculptor Jose Espinoza, who says of his patrons: 'I don't probe.'In drug-trafficking hub, artist is in demand guns homicides culiacannull

Oct. 17, 20092009-10-17 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Gruesome slayings add to Guerrero’s toll
The mutilated corpses of nine people were found in plastic bags in the bed of a pickup, authorities said. The area where they were discovered is known for its drug trafficking. Gruesome slayings add to Guerrero’s toll decapitations gulf_cartel homicides kidnappings narcomessages sinaloa_cartel smugglers tourism acapulco guerrero michoacan sinaloa zihuatanejonull

Oct. 12, 20092009-10-12 CuliacanCuliacan Ken Ellingwood, Tracy WilkinsonEllingwood StoryStory Mexico's 'narco-lawyers' risk everything
One 'Bulletproof Lawyer' survived four assassination attempts before being gunned down. Such unsolved killings highlight the violence within a judicial system manipulated by powerful drug cartels. Mexico's 'narco-lawyers' risk everything homicides narcomessages culiacannull

Sept. 16, 20092009-09-16 MexicaliMexicali Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory One Mexico border city is quiet, maybe too quiet
Mexicali seems an oasis from violence, but some U.S. officials suspect that the peace comes at a high price.One Mexico border city is quiet, maybe too quiet corruption police sinaloa_cartel smugglers baja california mexicalinull

Sept. 4, 20092009-09-04 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory 18 killed in Juarez clinic for addicts
The systematic execution of clients in one of the many treatment centers for addicts that have sprouted in Ciudad Juarez suggests smuggling gangs may be fighting over local markets.18 killed in Juarez clinic for addicts addiction civilian_casualties homicides chihuahua ciudad-juarez el-pasonull

Aug. 31, 20092009-08-31 CuliacanCuliacan Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory 8 killed at street party in Mexico
Four gunmen leap from a pickup truck and fire semiautomatic weapons at the revelers in the town of Navolato in Sinaloa state. The shooters escape. 8 killed at street party in Mexico civilian_casualties homicides chihuahua culiacan sinaloanull

Aug. 23, 20092009-08-23 Mexico CityMexico City Richard Marosi, Tracy WilkinsonMarosi StoryStory Mexico shifts tactics in the drug battle
Allowing possession of small amounts frees resources for fighting cartels and traffickers, the government says. Mexico shifts tactics in the drug battle narcomessages mexico-city tijuananull

Aug. 22, 20092009-08-22 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Actually, violence is down--so say the numbers
The attorney general points to statistics that indicate homicides have declined in the last 15 years. Critics dismiss his argument as so much spin. Actually, violence is down--so say the numbers homicides baja chihuahua ciudad-juarez guerrero mexico-citynull

Aug. 14, 20092009-08-14 Los AngelesLos Angeles Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory 17 charged in string of brutal kidnappings and slayings in San Diego suburbs
n a spillover of Tijuana violence, Mexican gang members posing as U.S. law enforcement personnel abducted and killed 9 victims.17 charged in string of brutal kidnappings and slayings in San Diego suburbs arellano_felix civilian_casualties criminal_justice extortion homicides kidnappings baja san-diego tijuananull

July 30, 20092009-07-30 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Police figures slain in separate attacks
An investigator and a commander and his family are killed at their homes as drug crackdown continues.Police figures slain in separate attacks homicides police acapulco ciudad-juarez michoacan veracruznull

July 21, 20092009-07-21 WashingtonWashington Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory U.S. indictments target Mexico's Gulf cartels
Gulf cartel and a brutal mercenary group are targeted in an effort that could lead to the seizure of U.S.-held assets.U.S. indictments target Mexico's Gulf cartels chapo_guzman criminal_justice gulf_cartel smugglers coahuila monterrey nuevo-laredo tamaulipas texas veracruznull

July 18, 20092009-07-18 SonoraSonora Sacha FeinmanFeinman StoryStory Drug cartels imperil immigrants
Tighter border enforcement has driven narcotics smugglers to share territory with migrants, adding to the dangers of the journey and possibly contributing to a drop in immigration. Drug cartels imperil immigrants extortion smugglers sonoranull

July 17, 20092009-07-17 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Forces hiked to counter drug gang
Mexico is to deploy 5,500 security personnel to the western state of Michoacan, where a series of recent attacks has killed 16 police officers. The La Familia drug gang is suspected in the slayings. Forces hiked to counter drug gang homicides military police ciudad-juarez guanajuato michoacannull

July 16, 20092009-07-16 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Politician is tied to gang targeting police
Congressman-elect Julio Cesar Godoy is suspected of helping protect the La Familia cartel, accused of killing 16 officers in recent days. That has brought pressure on his sibling, Michoacan Gov. Leonel Godoy.Politician is tied to gang targeting police homicides police politics michoacannull

July 15, 20092009-07-15 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory 12 slain in Michoacan were federal police officers
The attack continues a spree in Michoacan by the La Familia drug cartel, officials say. 12 slain in Michoacan were federal police officers police michoacannull

July 13, 20092009-07-13 Ciudad JuarezCiudad Juarez Ken Ellingwood, Tracy WilkinsonEllingwood StoryStory Drug offensive stirs ‘wasps nest’
The 2 1/2-year offensive has uncovered deep corruption and sparked violent gang wars, presenting a stark reality: The longer and harder the war is fought, the more complex and daunting it becomes.Drug offensive stirs ‘wasps nest’ bureaucracy civilian_casualties corruption criminal_justice culture homicides juarez_cartel kidnappings narcomessages police solutions mexico-citynull

July 10, 20092009-07-10 York, MaineYork, Maine Scott KraftKraft StoryStory Small-town cops in coastal Maine face a big problem
A heroin overdose leads detectives to unravel a growing addiction problem in small New England towns. Maine is now on the drug mainline from Mexico.Small-town cops in coastal Maine face a big problem addiction criminal_justice police maine york-mainenull

July 9, 20092009-07-09 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Protest leader, relative shot to death in Mexico
The attack on Benjamin LeBaron, a U.S. citizen, and his brother-in-law bore the signs of an organized-crime hit. LeBaron had led a demonstration in May against kidnapping.Protest leader, relative shot to death in Mexico civilian_casualties homicides kidnappings police chihuahua texasnull

July 3, 20092009-07-03 Los AngelesLos Angeles Paul Pringe, Richard WintonPringe StoryStory Bentley driver's slaying in L.A. might have cartel link
The wild pursuit that ended on the 101 freeway may have been the result of a rivalry between alleged members of the Arellano Felix drug-smuggling organization, according to an affidavit obtained by the Times. Bentley driver's slaying in L.A. might have cartel link arellano_felix homicides smugglers baja los-angeles tijuananull

June 30, 20092009-06-30 AbbotsfordAbbotsford Kim MurphyMurphy StoryStory Drug war on another border: Canada
Pressure on the U.S.-Mexico border makes the Vancouver, Canada market all the more lucrative and dangerous as narcotics traffickers battle for market share. Drug war on another border: Canada addiction civilian_casualties guns homicides smugglers guadalajara vancouvernull

June 27, 20092009-06-27 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory At least 12 die in Mexico shootout
The deadly clash in the state of Guanajuato is said to have occurred when security forces sought to search a home. Elsewhere, in the state of Sonora, a congressional candidate escapes assassination.At least 12 die in Mexico shootout civilian_casualties military police politics guanajuato sonoranull

June 21, 20092009-06-21 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory A quiet move to decriminalize minor drug use
President Calderon, who wants to focus on trafficking, is set to sign the law decriminalizing minor drug use. But critics say letting off users caught with limited amounts of cocaine or other substances will increase use and encourage 'drug tourists' from the U.S.A quiet move to decriminalize minor drug use addiction criminal_justice economy politics ciudad-juarez el-paso texasnull

June 19, 20092009-06-19 WashingtonWashington Josh MeyerMeyer StoryStory Designated immigration agents authorized to participate in drug enforcement
Homeland Security and Justice departments repair schism with an accord to interchange staff and better share information.Designated immigration agents authorized to participate in drug enforcement bureaucracy criminal_justice smugglers washingtonnull

June 12, 20092009-06-12 WashingtonWashington Josh MeyerMeyer StoryStory Gun flow south is a crisis for two nations
The U.S. government lacks a coordinated strategy to combat the flow of arms into Mexico, where 90% of the seized weapons that can be traced are linked to U.S. sales, watchdog report says.Gun flow south is a crisis for two nations guns homicides washingtonnull

June 9, 20092009-06-09 San DiegoSan Diego Tony PerryPerry StoryStory Mexican national arrested trying to smuggle marijuana ashore on a surfboard
Suspect tosses duffel bag as authorities approach, but the bag washes ashore at Imperial Beach. Officials say it contained 24 pounds of marijuana with a street value of about $74,400.Mexican national arrested trying to smuggle marijuana ashore on a surfboard smugglers baja san-diego tijuananull

June 8, 20092009-06-08 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Acapulco shootout leaves 18 dead
The hours-long battle that killed two soldiers and 16 gunmen took place several miles from the main strip of tourist complexes.Acapulco shootout leaves 18 dead criminal_justice guns tourism mexico-citynull

June 7, 20092009-06-07 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory At least 18 killed in shootout in Acapulco
An hours-long gun battle erupts when government troops approach a home in a beachfront neighborhood of the Mexican resort. No tourists are reported hurt.At least 18 killed in shootout in Acapulco police tourism mexico-citynull

June 4, 20092009-06-04 AmatitlanAmatitlan Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Drug violence spilling into Guatemala
Mexican drug gangs under pressure at home are moving operations to Guatemala, whose proximity, weak law enforcement and deep-rooted corruption provide fertile ground, officials and analysts say. By Ken Ellingwood Drug violence spilling into Guatemala chapo_guzman criminal_justice gulf_cartel guns military narcomessages police sinaloa_cartel guatemala sinaloanull

June 4, 20092009-06-04 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory 47 police officers questioned in disappearance of Mexican customs official
The customs administrator in Veracruz has not been seen since an apparent traffic collision Monday night. On a security video, several police cars are seen arriving at the scene of the crash.47 police officers questioned in disappearance of Mexican customs official gulf_cartel kidnappings military police veracruznull

May 31, 20092009-05-31 PatzcuaroPatzcuaro Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Mexico drug traffickers corrupt politics
The cult-like La Familia Michoacana has contaminated city halls across one state, federal officials say. It sometimes decides who runs and who doesn't, who lives and who dies. Mexico drug traffickers corrupt politics civilian_casualties corruption decapitations extortion narcomessages politics michoacannull

May 28, 20092009-05-28 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Detention of local officials marks shift in anti-drug efforts
Calderon had been focused on a military offensive targeting drug figures and corrupt police. Now officials are being questioned to see how far the cartels have penetrated 'local political elites.' Detention of local officials marks shift in anti-drug efforts corruption criminal_justice politics mexico-city michoacannull

May 27, 20092009-05-27 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory 10 mayors, other Mexico officials detained
The sweep targets local officials in the state of Michoacan, home to La Familia, a fast-growing group of drug traffickers.10 mayors, other Mexico officials detained chapo_guzman corruption criminal_justice gulf_cartel military durango mexico-city michoacan morelianull

May 21, 20092009-05-21 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Mexico senator takes leave amid scandal
Senator Ricardo Monreal of Zacatecas steps down temporarily to clear his name after an official acknowledges an investigation into a family property where tons of marijuana were found. Mexico senator takes leave amid scandal corruption criminal_justice gulf_cartel politics zacatecasnull

May 21, 20092009-05-21 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Mexico jail break video shows "inside job"
Reforma newspaper publishes surveillance video showing guards apparently helping drug suspects escape from a prison in Zacatecas state.Mexico jail break video shows "inside job" corruption criminal_justice zacatecasnull

May 20, 20092009-05-20 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Reputed up-and-coming cartel figure held
Rodolfo Lopez Ibarra and 12 other people with him are seized by soldiers when he steps from a plane in Monterrey, where he allegedly was assigned to take over cartel operations. Reputed up-and-coming cartel figure held criminal_justice juarez_cartel military politics sinaloa_cartel acapulco monterrey zacatecasnull

May 18, 20092009-05-18 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Mexico sees inside job in prison break
An armada of 17 vehicles, backed by a helicopter, sweeps down on a prison holding drug convicts. The warden and two top guards are arrested and another 40 are questioned in what authorities say was an "inside job." Mexico sees inside job in prison break corruption criminal_justice gulf_cartel kidnappings sinaloa_cartel zacatecasnull

May 15, 20092009-05-15 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory 4 Southern California residents slain in Tijuana
The bodies of two men and two women, bearing 'signs of violence,' were found over the weekend in a car. The circumstances are being investigated.4 Southern California residents slain in Tijuana homicides tijuananull

May 12, 20092009-05-12 Antelope Wells, New MexicoAntelope Wells, New Mexico Scott KraftKraft StoryStory Pursuing smugglers, border agents become trackers
New fencing and high-tech devices make it difficult for drug traffickers to cross the border. So smugglers hoist packs and take to the desert on foot. Agents use century-old tracking skills to follow.Pursuing smugglers, border agents become trackers smugglers antelope-wells-nmnull

May 11, 20092009-05-11 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory A trip to Mexico's museum of drugs
Mexico displays confiscated guns and gadgets from its struggles against narcotics traffickers. Just don't call it the Narcomuseum.A trip to Mexico's museum of drugs addiction criminal_justice military sinaloa_cartel mexico-city sinaloa sonoranull

May 6, 20092009-05-06 ArizonaArizona Josh MeyerMeyer StoryStory Sinaloa cartel may resort to deadly force in U.S.
Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Mexico's most wanted man, reportedly meets with his lieutenants near the Mexico-Arizona border and tells them to meet force with force north of the border. Sinaloa cartel may resort to deadly force in U.S. chapo_guzman police sinaloa_cartel arizona sinaloa sonora washingtonnull

April 30, 20092009-04-30 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Army needs oversight, Human Rights Watch says
Report lists 17 allegations of serious human rights abuse by the Mexican army, including torture and murder.Army needs oversight, Human Rights Watch says civilian_casualties criminal_justice military mexico-city michoacannull

April 29, 20092009-04-29 TijuanaTijuana Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory 7 police officers die in Tijuana attacks
The bold assaults by heavily armed gunmen are said to have been aimed at intimidating the force. 7 police officers die in Tijuana attacks arellano_felix homicides police tijuananull

April 21, 20092009-04-21 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Drug cartels keep Catholic officials in fear
In one case, Archbishop Hector Gonzalez calls attention to a drug trafficker in his neighborhood and accuses the government of ignoring the situation. The prelate later apologizes for his comments.Drug cartels keep Catholic officials in fear chapo_guzman police sinaloa_cartel durango sonoranull

April 18, 20092009-04-18 TijuanaTijuana Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory General battles Tijuana drug traffickers
General Alfonso Duarte Mugica is held up as a model in the army effort to stem drug violence and take on the cartels. He says there’s nothing personal in his hunt for one of Mexico’s most wanted. General battles Tijuana drug traffickers arellano_felix homicides kidnappings military baja ensenada rosarito-beachnull

April 15, 20092009-04-15 Ixtapan de la SalIxtapan de la Sal Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Mayors on front line of the drug war
Mayors say they are the ones personally confronting the toll of drug violence on the streets. Yet they lack any meaningful role in the federal government's battle against organized crime.Mayors on front line of the drug war extortion homicides police ciudad-juarez durango guerrero ixtapan-de-la-sal michoacannull

April 3, 20092009-04-03 Rio Grande City, TexasRio Grande City, Texas Scott KraftKraft StoryStory On the borderline of good and bad
Starr County, Texas had two consecutive sheriffs tied to drug trafficking from neighboring Mexico. The county finds itself wedged between a relentless supply of drugs to the south, and an insatiable appetite for them to the north.On the borderline of good and bad addiction corruption criminal_justice gulf_cartel police texasnull

April 3, 20092009-04-03 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Mexico arrests suspected No. 2 in Juarez drug cartel
Vicente Carrillo Leyva, son of the late kingpin Amado Carrillo Fuentes, is arrested in Mexico City. His capture comes as top U.S. law enforcement officials meet in Cuernavaca.Mexico arrests suspected No. 2 in Juarez drug cartel criminal_justice gulf_cartel juarez_cartel juarez mexico-citynull

April 2, 20092009-04-02 San DiegoSan Diego Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory Napolitano promises more agents at San Diego-area checkpoints
The homeland security secretary visits the Southwest border for the first time since the Obama administration announced a new anti-smuggling strategy.Napolitano promises more agents at San Diego-area checkpoints criminal_justice economy guns laundering san-diegonull

March 31, 20092009-03-31 El PasoEl Paso Sam QuinonesQuinones StoryStory Senators hear testimony on border danger
John Kerry and others on the Foreign Relations Committee are told Mexico is not in danger of becoming a failed state.Senators hear testimony on border danger juarez_cartel politics solutions ciudad-juarez el-pasonull

March 27, 20092009-03-27 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Hillary Clinton wraps up Mexico visit, calls drug violence 'intolerable'
The secretary of State tours a high-tech police facility in Mexico City and meets with university students in Monterrey. Hillary Clinton wraps up Mexico visit, calls drug violence 'intolerable' addiction civilian_casualties criminal_justice gulf_cartel guns homicides police politics schools sinaloa_cartel solutions mexico-city monterrey nuevo-laredo sinaloa washingtonnull

March 26, 20092009-03-26 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory U.S. shares blame for Mexico drug violence, Clinton says
A voracious appetite for illegal narcotics and liberal gun-sale rules are funding and arming smugglers locked in a drug war south of the border, the secretary of state says on her first visit to Mexico.U.S. shares blame for Mexico drug violence, Clinton says addiction criminal_justice guns homicides politics solutions mexico-city monterreynull

March 25, 20092009-03-25 WashingtonWashington Josh MeyerMeyer StoryStory White House unveils plan to fight border drug cartels
The $700-million multi-agency plan targets drug and human trafficking and money laundering and aims to curb spillover of violence from Mexico onto the U.S. side of the border.White House unveils plan to fight border drug cartels criminal_justice military politics solutions washingtonnull

March 25, 20092009-03-25 Los AngelesLos Angeles Sam QuinonesQuinones StoryStory Family members allegedly ran heroin smuggling ring
An extended family of immigrants from Oaxaca is charged with running a heroin empire that relied on an obscure indigenous language and transactions in public places.Family members allegedly ran heroin smuggling ring criminal_justice police los-angeles oaxacanull

March 24, 20092009-03-24 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Mexico offers $2-million rewards for top drug suspects
The rewards are for information leading to the capture of the 24 most-wanted, including Joaquin 'Shorty' Guzman and Ismael Zambada, leaders of the so-called Sinaloa cartel. Mexico offers $2-million rewards for top drug suspects chapo_guzman criminal_justice gulf_cartel sinaloa_cartel ciudad-juarez michoacan sinaloa tijuananull

March 22, 20092009-03-22 WashingtonWashington Josh MeyerMeyer StoryStory Drug cartels raise the stakes on human smuggling
Drug-smuggling gangs appear to be muscling in on the brisk business of smuggling illegal immigrants across the U.S. border.Drug cartels raise the stakes on human smuggling civilian_casualties extortion kidnappings washingtonnull

March 21, 20092009-03-21 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Abuse allegations rise against army
Since President Calderon’s deployment of troops in the war against drug trafficking, allegations of illegal searches and arrests, rape and torture have risen, rights groups say. Abuse allegations rise against army civilian_casualties corruption criminal_justice military mexico-citynull

March 20, 20092009-03-20 TijuanaTijuana Sam QuinonesQuinones StoryStory In Tijuana, opera offers a refuge from violence
On the streets, drug smugglers and gangs are fighting a war. But inside a modest cafe, the drama is make-believe and accompanied by sweet music.In Tijuana, opera offers a refuge from violence culture san-diego tijuananull

March 20, 20092009-03-20 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Mexican drug figure's son is arrested
Vicente Zambada is arrested in a posh area of Mexico City. He is the son of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a suspected drug kingpin in Sinaloa who is said to be an expert on opium cultivation and heroin smuggling.Mexican drug figure's son is arrested sinaloa_cartel mexico-city sinaloanull

March 19, 20092009-03-19 San DiegoSan Diego Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory U.S. sues Union Pacific over cross-border drug trafficking
Federal officials say Union Pacific failed to keep smugglers off its trains, but railroad casts blame on its Mexican affiliate.U.S. sues Union Pacific over cross-border drug trafficking criminal_justice baja san-diegonull

March 18, 20092009-03-18 WashingtonWashington Josh MeyerMeyer StoryStory U.S. shares blame for Mexico drug violence, senators say
Decades of drug use in the U.S. and the smuggling of guns and money into Mexico have fueld that nation's spiraling violence, witnesses tell Congress.U.S. shares blame for Mexico drug violence, senators say addiction criminal_justice guns laundering politics washingtonnull

March 17, 20092009-03-17 TijuanaTijuana Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory Killing of Tijuana pizzeria owner leaves family, Mexican authorities at odds
George Norman Harrison, a San Diego County native, was found decapitated. Authorities consider his death drug-related; his family disagrees. Killing of Tijuana pizzeria owner leaves family, Mexican authorities at odds corruption decapitations homicides narcomessages police baja san-diego tijuananull

March 15, 20092009-03-15 Mexico CityMexico City Ken Ellingwood, Tracy WilkinsonEllingwood StoryStory Drug cartels' new weaponry means war
Narcotics traffickers are acquiring firepower more appropriate to an army -- including grenade launchers and anti-tank rockets -- and the police are feeling outgunned.Drug cartels' new weaponry means war guns military police michoacan zihuatanejonull

March 13, 20092009-03-13 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory The barrio gets behind the cartels
The Gulf cartel showed its pull in the impoverished neighborhoods around Mexico's richest city, calling them to the streets. Protests spread to border and port cities.The barrio gets behind the cartels culture economy gulf_cartel military politics monterreynull

March 13, 20092009-03-13 WashingtonWashington Associated Press, Times staffPress StoryStory U.S. may deploy troops if Mexico border violence escalates
Homeland Security official tells Congress that National Guard may be needed if security deteriorates at U.S.-Mexico border, a day after President Obama makes a similar suggestion about drug-related violence.U.S. may deploy troops if Mexico border violence escalates military politics solutions washingtonnull

March 10, 20092009-03-10 TijuanaTijuana Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory Dozens arrested in Tijuana raid
A major army-led operation targets organized crime.Dozens arrested in Tijuana raid criminal_justice police baja tijuananull

March 9, 20092009-03-09 Rosarito BeachRosarito Beach Christopher ReynoldsReynolds StoryStory Rosarito Beach regulars won't stay away despite Mexico's drug war
U.S. tourists who enjoy escaping to this seaside city are continuing to do so despite the recent travel warnings. 'Drug people are fighting the drug people,' goes the thinking. Rosarito Beach regulars won't stay away despite Mexico's drug war economy tourism baja ensenada rosarito-beach san-diegonull

March 7, 20092009-03-07 San DiegoSan Diego Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory U.S. citizen beheaded in apparent drug hit
A former Chula Vista resident is identified as one of three men who were found decapitated this week in Tijuana.U.S. citizen beheaded in apparent drug hit decapitations tijuananull

March 6, 20092009-03-06 CancunCancun Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Tourists weigh Mexico drug violence
Mexico's rampant drug violence has put the issue of safety front and center for would-be vacationers, and put the country's publicity-sensitive tourism promoters on the defensive.Tourists weigh Mexico drug violence economy tourism baja cancun chihuahua ciudad-juarez sinaloa tijuananull

March 5, 20092009-03-05 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory 20 killed in riot at Ciudad Juarez prison
It takes forces nearly three hours to contain the gang unrest. Bodies are reportedly thrown from windows. 20 killed in riot at Ciudad Juarez prison juarez_cartel police sinaloa_cartel chihuahua ciudad-juareznull

March 4, 20092009-03-04 TexasTexas Andrew Becker, Patrick J. McDonnellBecker StoryStory Mexico's drug war creates new class of refugees
Business owners, law enforcement officers, journalists and other professionals are among those seeking asylum in the U.S. -- even when it means sitting in jail.Mexico's drug war creates new class of refugees kidnappings police chihuahua juarez san-diego texasnull

March 3, 20092009-03-03 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Mexico sending more forces to Ciudad Juarez
As violence spirals, Mexico dispatches another 1,000 federal police to the border city of Juarez, where 2,000 additional soldiers arrived earlier this week. More than 1,600 people died last year in drug-related violence in the city, across the border from El Paso, Texas.Mexico sending more forces to Ciudad Juarez criminal_justice homicides juarez_cartel military police sinaloa_cartel chihuahua ciudad-juareznull

March 3, 20092009-03-03 San DiegoSan Diego Associated PressPress StoryStory Warning issued on Mexico trips
The Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has taken the unusual step of urging college students to avoid parts of northern Mexico during spring break. Warning issued on Mexico trips tourism rosarito-beach tijuananull

March 2, 20092009-03-02 CancunCancun Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Killings uncover seamier side of Cancun
The killing of a newly-hired security official, Gen. Mauro Enrique Tello, and two others raises questions about the drug trade's impact on the popular resort, especially with suspicions falling on then-police chief, Francisco Velasco. Killings uncover seamier side of Cancun corruption criminal_justice decapitations homicides police tourism cancunnull

Feb. 26, 20092009-02-26 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Mexico to send up to 5,000 more troops to Ciudad Juarez
The increase would triple the law enforcement presence in the border city, which has been racked by drug violence. Its police chief quit recently and its mayor has received threats.Mexico to send up to 5,000 more troops to Ciudad Juarez civilian_casualties corruption homicides military narcomessages police ciudad-juarez mexico-citynull

Feb. 25, 20092009-02-25 VillanuevaVillanueva Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Town fed up with violence turns to army
In the state of Zacatecas, residents of Villanueva demanded that the military take over. The soldiers came, but drug war violence got worse.Town fed up with violence turns to army civilian_casualties gulf_cartel military police sinaloa_cartel villanuevanull

Feb. 25, 20092009-02-25 WashingtonWashington Josh MeyerMeyer StoryStory Hundreds arrested in U.S. probe of Mexican drug cartel
Fifty arrests in California and elsewhere are the latest among 730 targeting the Sinaloa cartel in a 21-month crackdown.Hundreds arrested in U.S. probe of Mexican drug cartel corruption criminal_justice military politics sinaloa_cartel california maryland washingtonnull

Feb. 23, 20092009-02-23 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Governor of Mexico's Chihuahua state downplays attack
Gov. Jose Reyes Baeza Terrazas says gunmen who fired on his convoy weren't aiming at him.Governor of Mexico's Chihuahua state downplays attack guns homicides juarez_cartel narcomessages police politics chihuahuanull

Feb. 21, 20092009-02-21 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Ciudad Juarez police chief quits after killings of officers, threats
Posted signs say a policeman would be killed every 48 hours unless Roberto Orduña Cruz resigned.Ciudad Juarez police chief quits after killings of officers, threats corruption homicides narcomessages police chihuahua ciudad-juareznull

Feb. 19, 20092009-02-19 New MexicoNew Mexico Scott KraftKraft StoryStory Border drug war is too close for comfort
A quaint but quirky border town in New Mexico casts a wary glance at its neighbor over the border, fretting over whether drug-related violence will cross over to its streets.Border drug war is too close for comfort juarez_cartel police politics tourism chihuahua ciudad-juarez columbus-new-mexico el-paso new-mexiconull

Feb. 16, 20092009-02-16 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Gunmen kill police officer, 10 relatives in Tabasco
Gunmen hit the homes of Carlos Reyes Lopez and his extended family; a 2-year-old nephew and five other children are among the dead. Reyes Lopez was a member of an elite agency tackling police corruption. Gunmen kill police officer, 10 relatives in Tabasco children civilian_casualties corruption criminal_justice decapitations homicides police durango guerrero jalisco michoacan tabasconull

Feb. 12, 20092009-02-12 PhoenixPhoenix Sam QuinonesQuinones StoryStory Phoenix, kidnap-for-ransom capital
Juan Francisco Perez-Torres was abducted last month in front of his home and ransom demanded. Hundreds of such incidents occur each year in Phoenix, and Mexican drug-smuggling is usually involved.Phoenix, kidnap-for-ransom capital criminal_justice kidnappings sinaloa_cartel phoenix sinaloanull

Feb. 8, 20092009-02-08 TijuanaTijuana Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory Families want answers from man who says he dissolved 300 people
Santiago Meza Lopez, known as El Pozolero (the Stew Maker), says he stuffed bodies into barrels of lye for drug cartels. He may be a good source of information about missing loved ones.Families want answers from man who says he dissolved 300 people arellano_felix homicides kidnappings pozole baja mexicali mexico-city tijuananull

Feb. 6, 20092009-02-06 ChihuahuaChihuahua Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Openness is the new order in the courts
Closed-door, written trials give way to U.S.-style proceedings in Chihuahua state. The overhaul could help fight corruption and organized crime, analysts say.Openness is the new order in the courts bureaucracy corruption criminal_justice culture homicides police politics chihuahua ciudad-juareznull

Feb. 4, 20092009-02-04 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Ex-general, 2 others found shot to death near Cancun
Mauro Enrique Tello is one of the highest-ranking officials to be killed in the lawlessness fueled by drug trafficking and other gang crime. Elsewhere in Mexico, 14 people are reported killed. Ex-general, 2 others found shot to death near Cancun gulf_cartel guns homicides narcomessages cancun chihuahua ciudad-juareznull

Jan. 29, 20092009-01-29 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Mexico drug bosses may have set truce
According to news reports, trafficking chiefs in the state of Sinaloa agreed last month to curb their bloody rivalry. Killings there have declined sharply.Mexico drug bosses may have set truce sinaloa_cartel sinaloanull

Jan. 25, 20092009-01-25 Mexico CityMexico City Ken EllingwoodEllingwood StoryStory Calderon seeks to dispel talk of 'failing state'
Two recent U.S. reports paint a dire picture of Mexico as its battle against drug crime grows more bloody, but Mexican officials say that though some cities are in trouble, the state itself is strong.Calderon seeks to dispel talk of 'failing state' bureaucracy civilian_casualties corruption criminal_justice economy homicides police culiacan mexico-city nuevo-laredo tijuananull

Jan. 24, 20092009-01-24 San DiegoSan Diego Richard MarosiMarosi StoryStory Mexico army nabs vats-of-lye suspect
The man arrested in Baja California is said to have dissolved hundreds of bodies as part of Tijuana's drug turf war.Mexico army nabs vats-of-lye suspect criminal_justice ensenadanull

Jan. 17, 20092009-01-17 Los AngelesLos Angeles Evelyn LarrubiaLarrubia StoryStory Parents' quest helps identify remains in barrel
The LaPortes’ search for their son ends when Mexican officials confirm the remains found in Rosarito are of their son Daniel. They also learn that he was apparently smuggling marijuana.Parents' quest helps identify remains in barrel homicides narcomessages rosarito-beach san-diegonull

Jan. 15, 20092009-01-15 Mexico CityMexico City Denise DresserDresser StoryStory Reality check for U.S.-Mexico relations
Calderon must face facts in Mexico, and Obama may find the drug war a tough foreign policy issue.Reality check for U.S.-Mexico relations corruption criminal_justice homicides kidnappings laundering police politics mexico-city washingtonnull

Jan. 13, 20092009-01-13 Mexico CityMexico City Tracy WilkinsonWilkinson StoryStory Vatican suggests excommunicating Mexican drug traffickers
Vatican's second-ranking official suggests severe penalty for drug thugs responsible for thousands of deaths in Mexico.Vatican suggests excommunicating Mexican drug traffickers civilian_casualties culture homicides kidnappings mexico-citynull

Jan. 13, 20092009-01-13 WashingtonWashington Ken Ellingwood, Frank JamesEllingwood StoryStory Obama, Calderon meet in Washington
Cooperation in drug war on agenda as Mexican president meets president-elect.Obama, Calderon meet in Washington homicides politics washingtonnull

Jan. 8, 20092009-01-08 Mexico CityMexico City Associated PressPress StoryStory More U.S. funds freed for Mexico's drug fight
Washington releases an additional $99 million as part of an aid package to help security forces in their battle with drug cartels. More U.S. funds freed for Mexico's drug fight military police tijuananull

Jan. 8, 20092009-01-08 Mexico CityMexico City Reuters WireWire StoryStory Mexico arrests a founder of “Zetasâ€