Fearing cartels, O'odham move tribal pilgrims out of Sonora
By Enric Volante
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.03.2008
Tohono O'odham leaders began transporting tribe members making a religious pilgrimage out of Sonora on Thursday because of concerns for their safety and urged other members not to enter the violence-plagued area.
The tribe sent 20 vans Thursday afternoon to pick up members who wanted to return to Arizona from Magdalena, Sonora, because of recent violence in the area and reported threats of more violence from drug cartels.
The religious celebration is expected to draw thousands of people to a small church in Magdalena this weekend.
Many O'odham make a sacred pilgrimage to Magdalena from the tribe's main reservation west of Tucson for the Feast of St. Francis.
While those religious events are important for many O'odham, violence that escalated near Magdalena in the last few days is a major concern, Chairman Ned Norris said. "We strongly advise members of the nation to not travel in Mexico."
Tribal law enforcement and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had confirmed reports of recent shootings of non-O'odham citizens in Santa Ana, a town southwest of Magdalena, which is about 120 miles south of Tucson.
Law enforcement officials also confirmed reported threats by drug cartels operating in the Magdalena area, but none specifically targeting tribe members, he said.
"There's no question that there are in fact issues between drug cartels and no question in our minds that there has been a threat issued to use this feast as a means to demonstrate their willingness to take over this area," Norris said.
The chairman downplayed an unconfirmed report that drug traffickers threatened a Magdalena official with a plan to blow up the church in Magdalena today or Saturday, the height of the feast.
Two weeks ago in the city of Morelia, Michoacan, two men threw fragmentation hand grenades into a crowd at an Independence Day celebration. The blasts killed seven and injured more than 100.
Though many O'odham were expected to return to the U.S. in the vans sent Thursday, Norris estimated 3,000 to 4,000 will attend the Magdalena festival this weekend despite being "strongly discouraged." Many started the pilgrimage more than a week ago.
Richard ElĂ*as, chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisor, called the tribe to offer county assistance as a rumor circulated that seven O'odham had been killed or taken hostage.
"Some people sounded frightened about the rumors because of all the violence along the border and other parts of Mexico between the mafiosos," said Nellie Estrella, a South Tucson resident who had a chapel built and dedicated to San Francisco Xavier last year.
"Others said because of gasoline prices and the economy, they plan on celebrating the feast day in Tucson," she said.
Estrella is holding an all-night vigil starting at 8 this evening on into Saturday at her home at 337 E. 32nd St., in the city of South Tucson.
"I received about 10 calls from people. They said they no longer were going to Magdalena after hearing rumors that violence is likely to break out because of narco-traffickers going after politicians," Estrella said.
She said some callers said they plan to walk from their homes to Mission San Xavier del Bac and pay their respects to St. Francis of Xavier. Others plan to join her and her family this evening for the all-night vigil and Mass.
Last year, 200 people joined the family in paying homage to the saint. She said because of rumors of an outbreak of violence in the Sonoran town, more are expected this year.
In a travel advisory last month, the State Department warned U.S. citizens to be aware of their surroundings while traveling in border regions and other parts of Mexico.
"Drug-related violence has increased dramatically in recent months, and shows no sign of abating," it warns.
Law-abiding U.S. citizens won't necessarily be targeted but could be injured as bystanders. Mexican criminals, "armed with an impressive array of weapons, know there is little chance they will be caught and punished."
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