Blog dedicated to reporting on Mexican drug cartels
on the border line between the US and Mexico
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Monday, August 16, 2010

The Last Moments of Coronel Alive

Source: Proceso

Graphic evidence and testimony from a source who was part of the operation that killed the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, Ignacio Nacho Coronel, allows us to reconstruct the last moments of his life.

Coronel was killed in an operation by the Mexican military on July 29 at a safe home in Zapopan, Jalisco. As in other exceptional cases, we respect the anonymity of the source of said information.
Ignacio Coronel Villarreal did not know that they were going after him until the army was on top of him. Literally. The elite military group arrived by air and lined up in the "chorizo" formation, a term referred to a column during military training.

When Coronel was finally able to react he smashed a window and tried to escape through the garden of the safe house, where he had been hiding for the last two weeks. He was fearful of being apprehended. He knew that time was not on his side and he did not have a lot of time to react.

Irán Francisco Quiñones Gastélum, the only man who was by the side of the capo, and a physiotherapist who just minutes before had given him a massage prior to the military operation, came outside from the front among the broken glass, but were immediately apprehended on the porch. Knowing he was surrounded, Nacho Coronel retraced his steps back inside the home.

He ran toward a staircase that leads to a hallway; to the left is the master bedroom and to the right is the living room. But he did not get far, he was cornered. In his corner he turned and fired five or six shots with an assault M-16 rifle at which point he killed one soldier and wounded another.

After taking few steps forward he met a 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun. Just one single shot from a soldier that was carrying the shotgun at no more than four feet away dropped him to the floor. The pellets entered through his left side, almost to his back. The shot at almost point blank did not spread much.

Nacho Coronel was dead.

The picture of the body lying on the stairs shows clearly that this was the only gunshot he received. The blood that seen just under his chin is coming out of his mouth and not from a direct gunshot wound.

To the left of the body, next to a plant is the favorite handgun of "Nacho" Coronel, with a diamond-studded grip, his own personal brand, a Colt .45. Nowhere to be seen is the M-16 rifle that Coronel used against the military; the rifle was supposedly picked up immediately by the military.

The shotgun that killed "Nacho" Coronel is primarily used by the military to breach entry, that is, to blow open the doors through which the military team wants to enter. From a distance, its expansive power opens huge holes on the hinges of doors.

Usually, after a door is breached in this manner, the military makes entry in the so called "chorizo" formation which consists of four or five men, one after the other, the first man clears, ensures no one is present then the rest follow. On this occasion there was no need to breach the doors because the military came in from the air.

The shotgun also called "chaquetera" for its particular way it fires the shells-it can hold up to nine shots. Eight remained in the chamber. The only shot that was made was received in full by colonel.

The difference in the treatment that the body of Arturo Beltran Leyva received when he was executed by Marines on December 16, 2009 in Cuernavaca, Morelos, is that the military was able to protect the crime scene real well and prevented any leaks of images of the body of "Nacho" Coronel.

The remains of "El Rey del Cristal" received respectful treatment. The soldiers who participated in the operation did not take pictures with the body of "Nacho" Coronel and they were not celebrating and bragging when they saw who they had killed. At the scene, there was only silence. (APRO)

The images obtained by Proceso from an apparent video confirm the above versions and not that Colonel was shot several times.

44 comments:

  1. good article, but it should be Arturo Beltran Leyva,, instead of Hector, no?

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  2. finally the world is able to see photos of the dead drug trafficker, he would have escaped earlier if he knew the military was coming to find him but unfortunately his life ended right there in his 'other' home. oh jesus many people criminals and victims died in mexican drug war, and more is expected to die in the coming days, weeks, months, years. life ain't fair.

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  3. Of course, its none of my business, but its just that I was wondering if El Chapo and El Mayo have found a replacement after the death of Nacho Colonel? Maybe or maybe not. Was he married and have kids? Hey, I'm not targeting them or anything like that. I live about
    20-hour-fly away from Mexico. If he had a family, I feel bad for them.

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  4. Nacho went out like a real gangster

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  5. "chaquetera" not the real reason the millitary calls the shot gun that. it has more to do with what most adolescent boys to with their free time.

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  6. "good article, but it should be Arturo Beltran Leyva,, instead of Hector, no?"

    Oooops, you are right, corrected, thanks!

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  7. live with gun, die with the gun

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  8. Anonymous 8/16/10 at 6:39 AM: I am not sure if that was Tupac's quote or just a general quote that everyone is familiar, but if I'm not mistaken, he stated that constantly.

    Anonymous 8/16/10 at 7:39 AM: Stop it. It's not facination, it's more like observations. As reckless as opinions can be from time to time, everyone is free to express their own opinion. And for the record, Mexico is has been tearing Mexico apart for quite some time. The kind of violence that they are experiencing now did not happen over night and it won't be better over night either. It takes time to undo what society does by pure negligence.

    As for Coronel's pictures, I don't think the military was able to protect the images from the media, after all, there they are on the cover of Proceso.

    But I do agree that the treatmeant appears to be different, there are no pictures of him with his pants down, like Beltran-Leyva. I always wondered why his pants were down in all of the pictures, I don't believe that was necessary.

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  9. Ovemex.. I am the one that posted the question @ 10:38 last night. I was working & saw the El SOnrics post from BB then went back and NADA...so I did some checking and found that only one blog said he was killed. I then realized not so fast it may be a rumor. While searching I saw every blog had the Nacho photos confirm he is dead so for those thinking he is with Elvis walking the earth here is the proof, tho some probably will Q if they are genuine or Hollywood. El Sonrics I am not so sure because of the circumstances seemed not to jive, but hope so. Keep up the great work...

    @2:16 AM I hope you were hitting the tequila last night when you posted you felt sorry for Nacho!!! ADM!! (OMG!!) These sons of bitches are evil bastards destroying a beautiful country 99% filled with amazing, loving law abiding people who live in fear because of these cabrones. Save your concern& prayers for them... His family? they are all in the business so no sympathy needed. Don't worry they will not go and get you, I live in the US but also work and live in Coahuila. Don't worry this is anon blog..and BB and other narco blogs reporters are my heros...

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  10. If I haven't said this before, I can't thank you guys enough for translating and updating everything. It's not that I don't read Spanish; I'm actually fluent in Spanish. But it is much easier to check everything on the BB, since you guys do an awesome job covering the media in Mexico and updating everyone as to everything that's going on over there.

    In fact, I have a friend who mentioned that he gets a lot more from the BB than he does from any other blog or source, so thank you!

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  11. i agree...fuck all these narco culeros, they don't deserve any respect, have you ever seen the effects of crystal meth?, well let me tell you it ain't a pretty sight,

    an how about some concern for all the good people of Mexico who work hard and for little money, and try to raise their sons and ninas to be good people,they are the real heros

    yo dice viete la infierno por eso hijo de putas todo, santa muerta es esperando por tu pinche madres, vamos andarle a su muerte,

    excuse my bad spanish, but some things are better said with the passion that only can be said in spanish, these chupanderos are not some kind of heros,

    they should all have their heads stuck on a pole for all to see, and for young people to see not to be like them, and not walk their way

    scarface was movie , and the wealth and power of these culeros is fleeting, how many get to live to an old age and get to enjoy their wealth and familys?

    it sickens me to see cholos idolize them, trying to be tough and swagger, being rude to all people, because they feel they are protected by the shadow of these bastardos

    pile their bodys in the street for all to see

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  12. "El Chapo is Next"

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  13. Valentia.. yes it was Shakur who is quoted. He was an amazing talent & great with quotes even though he was know to embrace plagiarism at times.
    A few more;
    "Keep heads up! Legs closed! Eyes open!"
    & .. "money for wars but can't feed the poor"

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  14. Chivis: Thanks for confirming. I'm sure my Renaissance professor will enjoy the fact that I can recognize a Tupac quote before a Shakespeare or Marlowe quote. I like recreating his trial and making up my own opening and closing statements, I always win, too bad he didn't.

    Anonymous 8/16/10 at 9:46 AM: I understand your point, and you do have one, but individuals, who consume meth or any other illegal substance, are at fault for their own addiction.

    Basically, you can blame the dealer for producing and distributing, but you can't blame him for producing drug addicts. If you're using and experimenting with drugs, it's your fault, no one is putting a gun to your head – ultimately, it's your choice to self-destruct.

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  15. The man was a drug trafficker/kingpin, doesn't mean he should have been degraded and disrespected after his death, like Beltran Leyva, that was really a sickening display of contempt for human life and made the soldiers look like lowlife scum. It's possible to acknowledge a man was a criminal, and his actions had consequences for innocents, (and guilty) and still respect the man after he's dead.

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  16. @ Valentina

    I don't know about Tupac, but there is a very common quote in Spanish:

    "Quien a hierro mata, a hierro muere", there are many similar phrases in English as well (eye for eye, tooth for tooth etc) which all stem from the same theory/ Talion Law/retributive justice

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  17. Yep..many of the sayings we know in the states have a similar qoute in spanish.. what are they? dichos? You are going to be a fine attorney I predict. Beautiful-intelligent-thoughtful...you parents must be proud.

    @11:46..my mouth is hanging open..respect the man when dead? You cannot reside in Mx..he gets no respect from me and I celebrate his place in hell. How about the officer he killed as he refused to go peacefully? Thats who I choose to give my respect. You do not know the half what exists in Mx. cartel war is simply one aspect, albeit the bulk of the violence, but extortion, kidnapping etc is in tandem. 3 blks from my office dumped with a narco message held to his chest with icepicks was our police commander, 38 father of 2, killed by the very cartel that this fucker lead...only 3 months ago BTW. And the 2 young sons of my friend who were kidnapped because he could no longer afford his extortion fees, he paid the ransom but only his 18 Y/O son was returned because a neighbor was suspicious of activities at a safe house and called the federal police. Don't tell me about being disrespectful in Nachos death, I have ZERO respect in life or death, & I wear the disrespect in pride.

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  18. @ 11:46 you have me still pissed off! Calling the soldiers lowlife scum, sweet Jesus Mary mother of God...who are you? what are you? "sickening display" are you fucking serious? or are you messing with us? They decapitate, displaying heads on poles and other horrific displays,display bodies with dead animals, go into funeral parlors to kill, and hospitals to finish the act, kidnap doctors in the middle of surgery..and we are suppose to do a 180 because he was killed and then "disrepected"? ..your naivete must derive from a sweet, soft life.

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  19. It's all the same isn't it? Brutal, disgusting war tactics? I don't see how you condone one, and condemn the other, it's all a sickening display. Because ones in the name of 'good', and the other in 'evil'?

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  20. @ 1:43 no not the same. I would say if the good guys did the same as the bad, decapitations, horrifying displays of the dead etc you would have a point, but it is not that way. You must appreicate that in Mexico as many countries they print the good, bad, and the ugly. Victims of car cashes, suicide, murder are on full display in the press. It is their standard, far different than the states but it is their choice and not for you to condone or reject it is what it is. I would say to you do not look at the press with photos and blogs if it upsets you so. The graphic warning is clearly stated. I see it far differently than you because I have seen so much and for me it is personal. I hate these bastards and make no mistake they are evil for sure. e.g. There is a 7 y/obeautiful blind girl that attends braille classes at one of my blind centers. The Dr. that teaches her called me and was crying saying the child was being horribly abused, sexually, physically and emotionally, she had many bruises, head/body lice all over her body. Her mom asked if we could treat her lice so I took her where she could be treated. WHen the Dr drove her home she had intentions of filing a complaint with DIF, but when she arrived she realized the child lived with her mom at a cartel safe house.. and was then to scared to make trouble. After thinking about it I decided to call Saltillo to a DIF atty I know.. praying she is "clean". This is why I feel the way I do, I see so much I could write all day. I offer to you it is not the same, and it is not even a sickening display they are photos of a dead bastard...no mas

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  21. these evil pinche madres look GOOD shot all to hell and dead,,,,if you got sympathy for them you are un tonto,,,,cause they sure don't got none for your simple ass

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  22. I understand that it the way of Mexican journalism, I like that, and no, it nor the images of Arturo do no upset me, in the way you imply. But, I'm not going to argue, or discuss this anymore, I respect (if this is even the right word) the personal tragedies and sadness you see firsthand.

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  23. the only reason i think the military didnt do the same to el nacho because they were scared that the cartel de sinaloa might retaliate

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  24. Abuela Chivis:

    Indeed, a defense attorney. I'm afraid, the 'defense' part may not settle well with you, but I won't disguise it, because I'm very passionate about my future profession.

    Nevertheless, thank you very much for your compliments and kind words. And yes, my mother is very proud and I am beyond lucky to have been reared by such an amazing woman, who, above all, believes in me.

    In italiano: Ah, sei così dolce! Grazie per le complementi!

    And thank you for sharing your personal experience with the rest of us that frequent the BB, it was touching on many levels.

    If you don't mind me asking, since you live in Mexico and since you seem to have an experienced opinion, what do you think about the social welfare system in Mexico, the poverty level and public (not private) education in Mexico? What's it really like for the general public or the average person in Mexico (aside, from what we see on the news of course)?

    You seem equally passionate, I would definitely appreciate your opinion. And feel free to email me (you can find my email on my profile), if you don't want to share it on the blog.

    Thank you in advance, for your time.

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  25. Why lower themselves below the lowest?
    What is the example?
    Sexual humiliation is in itself some gratification, is that the goal?

    No.

    Let their deaths be cold and lonely.

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  26. Chivis... I totally understand your point. It's hard to have a cousin kidnapped and after 6 monts not know for sure what happened to him. It's easy to say motherf&#%$ deserved it. I am trying really hard to live by what I teach my "gangster" students...be the better person, try to forgive, or at the very least don't descend to their.

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  27. @ 7:45..you are a bigger person than I, being able to forgive as you have. You did not state where you live, Mx? If so I am perplexed how you forgive, I can't. I forgive the person perhaps but not the actions. I have never hated before.. after living more than six decades on earth, until now. But for me it is so personal, it's personal when I now see sweet children aspiring to be in the cartels, beautiful girls aspiring to marry one, as though they no longer have other options in life. what I see is something bigger and greater than the violence, I see the destruction of my culture, the destruction of a society, the destruction of the birthplace of all 4 of my grandparents by these evil vultures. I cannot forgive that and I rejoice when one is erased from this earth to pay the eternal price in hell. I am imperfect, I am neither a saint or a nun, I am a humanitarian who wishes my eyes have not seen, my ears have not heard, what they have in Mexico, but because of that I cannot love these monsters it is a reflex for me to hate them..but thank you for being so gracious

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  28. Drug criminals are also a human, just like everyone else in the world, but they are doing something that other people are strongly against. Everyone does silly things in their lives, no matter how smaller or bigger they make. Of course, illegal drugs (heroin, crystal meth, etc) is no good for anyone. I personally think marijuana should be legalized among other alcohols and tobaccos that are already legalized. These are rated as low-risk. Alcohols was not allowed at the time, but Al Capone was the one who battled against the ban and now billions of people across the world drink alcohols.

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  29. Chivis: That was my question, where you stated "But for me it is so personal, it's personal when I now see sweet children aspiring to be in the cartels, beautiful girls aspiring to marry one, as though they no longer have other options in life."

    What options do these children have, what kind of public education are they provided with? Why does it seem like this self-destructive path is the only choice for them? Why do people (specifically, the poor), from what I have read and watched in documentaries, protect the drug cartels simply because they provide them with running water and electricity?

    I always ask the same questions and no one has a significantly good answer. I also get the feeling that, perhaps, if we didn't have the kind of social welfare we have in the United States, we'd experience the same kind of turmoil that Mexico is experiencing now. It's grave and truly unfortunate, but it's the truth.

    For instance, I've worked since I was 17-years-old, and by that I mean full time (not just some part time job revolving around school), because my mother was very sick for quite some time. But I've taken advantage of every opportunity that has come my way and on top of that I've never received welfare, but I do get tons of scholarships. And I do intend to go to law school and eventually give back to my community. That said, it's much easier for the privileged kids in my school to get by without working, but I appreciate the kind of experience I’m gaining, while going to school full time as well. Needless to say, I'll probably do much better in life, because I'm far more passionate and ambitious.

    So, what kind of opportunities does the average person have and what kind of opportunities do poverty-stricken people have in Mexico?

    Why do so many young people choose to get involved in organized crime? Since, many of the people that have died while being involved with drug cartels in Juarez are young, mostly in their 20s and 30s. Excuse my language, but what the hell is going on?

    Why doesn’t anyone ask questions? And why does the government play the blame game all the time? Who is taking responsibility for the kind of education that's provided in Mexico, why doesn't anyone question the Mexican government about those issues?

    Basically, what it seems like is that the poor are meant to stay poor and the rich people in Mexico like it that way. That is, of course, until they started getting kidnapped and everything else that's involved with organized crime.

    I know that everyone who lives in Mexico is taking everything personal, but step back a little and look at the big picture.

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  30. TO BB. YOU WILL NOT HURT MY FEELINGS TO SIMPLY FWD THIS TO VALENTINA VIA EMAIL..IT IS SO LONG BUT I NEEDED TO GIVE HER AN WORTHY ANSWER...
    @ Valentina
    Ay mija, now I am sure I know you..you are the baby whose first word was "why?" My beloved mother said this of me...JEJE
    Actually I wrote a reply to your Qs last night but then before my eyes poof-gone so I need to reconstruct and will. But now you have more Ws? So I will add those answers, later.. I am pretty sick, chemo is a bitch sometimes & today another dose.
    Your Qs and remarks are so relevant, I give you abuelas 5-star rating for thoughtfulness as we can never repair or help what we do not know or acknowledge what exists. Yes we know of the cartels, what must be learned is the why the seemingly passivity of the populous. and Why are the kids saying" don't be a teacher because you will be poor, be with the cartels to live a rich life"? At first glance one says "ah-ha! Economics!..si?" Yes, but much more complicated than that. I wrote an essay I titled "Culpa" where I broke it down I will try and find a copy. I grew up in SoCal. While in college I worked at a bookbindery in south central LA and was at work when the LA riots occurred in the 60s. It was after those riots I saw the development of a microcosm in places like watts where the only commercial venues remaining were liquor stores, even & literally every supermarket was gone as well as mfg such as the bookbindery...isolating the populous..depriving the populous of employment, schools were ineffective and turning out few graduates.. few teachers" out of the area" would venture "there" medical facilities vanished, even recreation venues left. gangs grew so strong, then gangs were glorified, in music, in dress, in articulation, in imitation by the children who began viewing gang-banging as the only option in life to attain "employment" . Parents grew passive, quietly lecturing but having their own issues and not questioning how the expensive items brought home were purchased. Children began killing children for territory, for shoes, for whatever. See pt 2

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  31. Part 2..in too many ways I see what is happening in Mx is South Central LA on steroids. Not localized but wide spread and rampant. Along the border and resorts places are becoming ghost towns void of the revenue derived from tourism they cannot keep their doors open. Passivity exists in full force, I do not see the person you describe as protecting the cartels unless it is done by force or threat. But they resign themselves to being powerless having the drug war and not the freedom to act or speak because of corruption, can you imagine? Cartels are in power now to "influence" election results..how can this be stopped? I cannot see an answer in my lifetime but I am sure that Mx can fight this alone. Issues like education, health are non issues they have moved to the backseat of priority. Staying alive, & employment/economics are paramount. There is no stepping back and looking at the big picture if you do not have access to freedom of the press, microcosms...the people of Mx is held submissive to the actions of the cartel by fear its see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.. So much fear. Literally no one speaks of the cartels to me unless I initiate the subject. Of course everyone knows who is a Zeta (they have the territory I am in) One day I asked my assistant how does one know...she began "see that car? Zetas, see those people? Zetas and so forth, takes meto expensive houses..."zetas" then to an unmanned lot filled with expensive cars and boats on the outskirts of town, "see that lot? Zeta". I was heartbroken last year when she resigned to marry a mid level Z. Now she dresses in fine clothes, drives her pick of expensive cars, has house staff for her beautiful home, has money for the casino, travel and so forth. My beautiful, educated (UT) assistant was lost to the dark side. Her mother is devastated and so am I. As for. Social welfare is never the answer, I am a believer that entitlements, such as welfare, produce a subclass that becomes the family business. This is not helpful in the "big picture". I also worked my way through school and no one that I am related to has taken a dime of welfare, though times were tough we were taught to do for ourselves and entitlements were for the helpless such as the disabled. I suggest you read The Forgotten Man. Have to go get tortured now...I will get the info to you..Paz

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  32. Sorry folks I am embarrased this was so long.
    However i made a significant typo...i meant Mexico CANNOT fight this alone...paz

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  33. Sorry about that, I like to question everything; in fact, I think it's healthy to question everything. I'm sure my future children will be just as bad (meaning equally inquisitive) and I'm going to have to be very patient, but my objective will be to cultivate their little minds. I'm very sorry to hear about your chemo, but you seem like a very optimistic and hopeful individual, so you’ll get through it – optimism is very important.

    I can't comment on the circumstances in California, the most I'm familiar with (and by familiar, I mean through research and watching documentaries) is the history between the Bloods, Crips, Gangster Disciples (not sure if they are only a prison gang, a street gang, or both), Latin Kings and the Neo-Nazi whites (I believe most of the racist white gangs are predominantly in prison, not sure if it's a street gang as well). Moreover, I believe that street gang issues (anywhere in the world) are based on socialization and Edwin H. Sutherland's Differential Association theory, thus, according to his (U.S. criminologist Edwin H. Sutherland’s) theory: "Criminal behavior is learned; while working with Donal Cressey in his extensive research regarding his Differential Association Theory, they both expanded on criminal behavior having to do with influences from 'intimate personal groups,' basically, the relationship one has with 'family, friends, and other individuals.'

    As to your statement regarding passive parenting, I think it's more like lack of parenting and discipline. One of my professors, who also happens to be bias given that he's a lieutenant with the local police department, is usually stressing the fact that you have to keep your kids busy, so they don't have time to even think about hanging out with the wrong crowd. By busy, he's referring, to extracurricular activities after school. But what kind of extracurricular activities are available, if education is not even a priority in Mexico?

    I understand the Zetas are extremely violent and obviously thrive on power and fear, if I'm not mistaken they were generated and introduced to the public through the Gulf cartel, when Osiel Cardenas Guillen was in power. I think that was his biggest mistake, to create his own personal army which is now as equally powerful as any cartel out there, excluding the fact that in terms of violence they are barbaric.

    But, I may be wrong, in questioning whether some of these kids/status offenders would truly prefer an uneventful path versus a chance for a better life without having to get involved in organized crime or having to do time in prison. Then again, I'm usually very right, in fact, I'm almost always right.

    Hope you feel better, remember, optimism. It's the best medication. Oh, and it's also good to cultivate your social consciousness a little. In my book, that's far more productive.

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  34. BRING THE DEATH PENALTY TO MEXICO!!!!!! AN EYE FOR EYE.......MOST OF THE UPPER ECHELON IN THE NARCO GAME GETS A VACATION IN JAIL.

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  35. LA Times article: threats from cartels silence mx media

    http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/16/world/la-fg-mexico-narco-censorship-20100816

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  36. "LA Times article: threats from cartels silence mx media"

    That piece is scheduled in BB after midnight tomorrow already.

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  37. I don't think the Zeta's are as powerful as any other cartel, they are definitely in the bottom rung, running tientidas, extortion, kidnappings, they have limited resources for smuggling across the border, and they have no plaza to really call their own, with the CDG pushing them out of Northern Mexico, they will be stuck surviving in little villages and towns.

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  38. if they got power or not , in Monterrey you can feel the fear of them, hope thay dont survive nowhere por siempre

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  39. Chivis, this is 7:45. I'm sorry about my post above, was trying to send it from my phone and it was somewhat of a fail.
    To answer your question, I live in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. My extended family lives in the Miguel Aleman, Camargo, and Mier area in Tamaulipas. Maybe a little background about me will help you understand my comments above. For a while my father was living the criminal life too, until my mother convinced him to quit or risk divorce. I grew up in a small border town in Texas where I saw the popular beautiful girls going out with the guys with the big customized trucks, and new cars in high school. Of course, everyone knew what kind of business these kid's fathers were doing. Our own family life in the U.S. was not easy; my parents worked as seasonal field hands. My whole family migrated north in the summers to clean cotton. My parents taught my siblings and me that the only way to have a better life was to get an education, and to not give in to the temptation of the easy money we saw around us.
    So here I am now, a teacher at a middle school where the majority of students are very poor and usually involved in gangs. A lot of people don’t understand why I would work in that type of school... I want to work where I can make the most difference. I had so many wonderful teachers that inspired me, I want to be that also, and besides, what's the challenge in working at a nice school where the children have every economical advantage and their parents are overly involved? :)
    A lot of my students are gang members, mostly Sur 13, and B.P.C.; I even had some students with Mexican Mafia tattoos. For most of my students, gangs take the place of their families. It's a challenge to teach American History and Government when a lot of my students are more concerned about surviving, but by the end of the year, my students understand why I chose to be their teacher. They know that I care about their education, and want the best for them. So besides, the Bill of Rights, Constitution, and history, they learn not to make excuses for themselves, because I don't believe in excuses. They know that if I could get out of my hometown and get an education with my background, then so can they. In the last couple of years, I've seen more and more gang recruitment happening at an earlier age. I was even warned by one of my students to not upset a younger kid I was trying to correct because "… he's not like us. He's a Zeta, he doesn't respect." I asked whether the boy or his parents were Zetas, and my student said, "Well, his father is, and he's just like him." This particular student is extremely intelligent, and I was trying to mentor him and convince him that he doesn’t need a gang to be a man…he’s still a work in progress. So, in a roundabout way, that's my explanation for trying to forgive these people that took my cousin. I’m just trying to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
    I hope one day those people that know what happened to him and still live in the community will speak up, and let my aunt and uncle find him and put him to rest. I know its fear that keeps them quiet. I myself felt afraid for my family that lives so close to the border, when I was in another forum and my cousin’s name was mentioned. Of course I jumped in and started asking questions. Some person also jumped in and seemed to know who took him and what happened to my cousin. He assured me he didn’t suffer, and that it was quick and that was all…How scary is that? I'm no saint...I hope that the anger and hate I still feel when I think of my missing cousin won’t change me, because then I am just like those people. I will keep trying to remember what a good son and man my cousin was, and not focus on what happened to him. It’s just a work in progress…

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  40. Chivis: I'm sorry to hear about your cousin and I do agree that forgiving is a very healthy way to cope with the situation.

    Regarding your cousin, that's very scary and it's unfortunate that someone obviously knows what happened and perhaps they also know who is responsible for his untimely death and no one has been charged, because no one is willing to speak up.

    Sometime the system frustrates me a little, I truly believe that local police department should do a lot more investigative work having to do with homicide and sexual battery/assaults, basically the most violent and disturbing crimes. But they don't. So the people that should be in prison, are not, and in order to make their numbers they pick up random people for petty crimes, misdemeanors that are eventually subjected to pre-trial advocacy programs. It's a waste of time and money. And that's time that can be spent on real investigative work.

    Your cousin wasn't a reporter in Hermossillo, was he?

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  41. Anonymous 9:19 PM
    I used to live in the RGV and I remember with affection the many friends that I made in that part of Texas. People are very nice, especially the migrant families who every year, during the summer, would travel up North to work in the fields and the packing sheds. Most of the families I met in the RGV were humble but very generous and friendly.
    I really liked your comment and I hope you will continue to struggle, in your own ways, to push kids our of the cycle of violence. This is a very difficult task since society keeps saying to our kinds that happiness means to have everything. We have a very materialistic society under which the ends justify the means. Material things and luxury creates false happiness, bought love, disloyalty, etc. Society tells our kids that if you don't have everything, you are a looser, a human failure, . Most of our kids kids live a miserable empty life and seek association with those that have everything, no matter how they got it.
    To my mind comes that famous quote by Honorato de Balzac:
    "The secret of a great success for which you are at a loss to account
    is a crime that has never been found out, because it was properly
    executed."
    The violence situation is terrible, but we should not give up. Things will change, it's a matter of doing good things, like you, with your students. This is not the time to be sad, angry, upset, eager of revenge and full of hate. This will only prevent us from be mentally prepared to change this for a better world. If we think that the response to violence should be violence, then we are actually perpetuating violence...
    Keep your mission, I wish you the best and thanks to BB for informing us about this terrible reality so we can inspire to change it.

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  42. @ 10:21
    I just read your post, and feel your passion, frustration & committment. Often we posters personally attack the person rather than the opinion but you were so graciousin your disagreement with my position & that came through on your reply to me. I do get a better focus of who you are and I will say unequivocally you have my deepest respect, you are one of the many unsung heros I meet while doing my foundation work. I live in SoCal part-time, Coahuila & on the Tx border, if I did not have kids in SoCal I would be in Tx/Mx full time. I will say as bad as you have it, the Mx teachers have it so much worse and for the most part I blame the cartels and corruption. Everything in Mx reverts to those elements. Why I say the cartels, is that they are destroying the now but the future because of the influence on kids. and my hate is mostly for the leadership. political and cartel. The cartels are evil, not only because the killings but because it is never enough; they torture, kill, dismember, display in horrific ways that can only be discribed as evil. but the part I cannot forgive is with full knowledge of what they do they continue to destroy their culture, their country, I cannot see ever forgiving that. Do I think they, the cartels, need to be tortured and displayed in seemingly disrespectful way? I only care about their mothers, being one I think about the fact that this monster was the baby of mother who gave birth and loved the child he once was, and is most likely suffering of who he has become. But that is the extent of my compassion. And I will say the anger & hate I have inside DID change me but not necessarily in negative ways. e.g. my idealism has taken a hit but it has been replaced with a constitution to work harder, longer with greater committment in Mx, and this illness I have is without self pity because of the real suffering I see in Mx.

    That aside keep me in your prayers tomorrow I will have the surgery that will return my health ( i say confidently)and revert back to the 65 Y/O badass status fighting the good fight for Mx students and the disabled. You have my deep repect and my prayer is you stay strong in committment.

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  43. Everyone From The Sierra De Sinaloa Y Durango Know That Nacho Coronel Isn't Dead

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  44. his power will most likely go to his righthand man.then when his crew goes to hell,coronel's son will decide if he can manage to be the new king of cristal meth..

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