Blog dedicated to reporting on Mexican drug cartels
on the border line between the US and Mexico
.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

2 Texas missionaries found slain in north Mexico

The following message was left on John and Wanda Casias' website http://casias.org/
On Janury 31st 2012 John and Wanda graduated to be with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as their lives were suddenly taken in a home invasion. Thank you all for your prayers and your continued support for the Ministry they started 29 years ago in The Republic of Mexico. Their love for the Mexican people and the burden they had for winning souls to the Lord will always be remembered.


CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN, Associated Press, KATHERINE CORCORAN, Associated Press
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/2-Texas-missionaries-found-slain-in-north-Mexico-2925236.php

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A missionary couple from Texas were slain in their home outside the violence-plagued northern industrial city of Monterey, the U.S. Embassy and their family said Wednesday

The embassy identified the couple as John and Wanda Casias.

Valerie Alirez, the eldest child of John Casias, told The Associated Press from her home in Greeley, Colorado, that one of her brothers found her father and stepmother Tuesday dead in their home in Santiago, Nuevo Leon.

The family was originally from Amarillo, Texas, but relatives said John and Wanda Casias moved to Mexico in the late 1970s or early 1980s and made it their home.

John Casias was a Baptist preacher and the couple ran the First Fundamentalist Independent Baptist Church in Santiago, Alirez said.

Her brother, Shawn Casias, who lives in Monterrey, said he went to his parents' home around 4 p.m. Tuesday to pick up a trailer. After he had hooked up the trailer outside he went into the home to say goodbye. He said he found Wanda Casias lying on the floor with an electrical cord around her neck and a gash from a blunt object on her head.

Missing from the house were a couple of computers, a plasma television and a safe that had been chiseled out of the wall.

The couple's Chevrolet Suburban was also missing, and Casias said he initially thought his father had been kidnapped.

But about four or five hours later, he said, a forensic investigator informed him that his father's body had been found in a storage room of a small building on the property. His father also had an electrical cord around his neck.

Casias said a sister-in-law in Dallas had spoken to their mother around 11 a.m. Tuesday and everything was fine. So he believes there was about a five-hour window when the killings could have occurred before he showed up.

He said the killers did not take everything they could have, leaving two of the three TV sets. He said perhaps they were warned that he was coming, because anyone watching the winding road approaching the home could have alerted them.

"They're scum. They're not sophisticated," he said.

Speaking from his parents' home, Casias said the house was burglarized two years ago when the couple were on one of their periodic visits to the United States to talk at churches about their work in Mexico.

"We're convinced that it's somebody he knew," Casias said of the killers. He said authorities had some leads based on people seen around the home.

John Casias was 76. He had recently priced a knee replacement because he couldn't walk more than 100 yards (100 meters) without having to sit down, Shawn Casias said. Wanda Casias was 67.

Casias said his parents held services and prayer meetings at a church about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from their home.

The couple maintained a website, www.casias.org, with details of their lives and their missionary work

"The only hope for the Mexican people today is Jesus in them, the HOPE of glory," they wrote in one dispatch from last summer. "I confess that it's getting easier to witness to the wealthy, at least they are listening. The wealthy are fleeing to Canada and the USA for protection. The only problem is that when they return to re-new their visas the cartel is waiting, and either kill them of kidnap them for thousands of dollars, in some cases millions. The cartel has NO mercy or value for life. They are ruthless murderers!"

It was the second slaying involving American missionaries in a year in the Mexican region bordering Texas.

In January 2011, a Texas couple who had been doing missionary work in Mexico for three decades were attacked at an illegal roadblock in one of the country's most violent areas.

Nancy Davis, 59, was fatally shot in the head while her husband, Sam, spend away from suspected drug cartel gunmen who may have wanted to steal their pickup truck, authorities said.

The Davises were driving along the two-lane road that connects the city of San Fernando with the border city of Reynosa in the state of Tamaulipas, which borders Nuevo Leon.

62 comments:

  1. I hope the evil people who did this go to hell . These people loved mexico if not they would not have lived there. I am mexican and every time I read some thing like this it makes me feel ashamed that other mexicans are doing these types of things and making us all look bad. God I hope the police and military fix my home land I know so many good people there who deserve better . And to the families of all who have been hurt I pray that the people who done evil to them are judged b4 our god .

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  2. Was this drug related or just a random "get the white people" crime we see all too often? Either way, the people who did this to an old couple (no matter what they are) are piles of shit and will go to whatever hell awaits.

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  3. Can someone tell me if theres any place left in Mexico thats not lawless?

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  4. Probably some coked out Zetas out for thrills. Sad story, just shows no, I mean no one is safe in Mexico.

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  5. Gerardo

    This is the full text of that message written by casias in reference to cartels and violence:

    Serving in the Republic of Mexico since 1983

    FROM BAD TO WORSE


    The only hope for the Mexican people today is Jesus in them, the HOPE of glory. I confess that it’s getting easier to witness to the wealthy, at least they are listening. The wealthy are fleeing to Canada and the USA for protection. The only problem is that when they return to re-new their visas the cartel is waiting, and either kill them of kidnap them for thousands of dollars, in some cases millions.

    The cartel has NO mercy or value for life. They are ruthless murderers! You probably heard about the mayor of our town, kidnapped on the 15th of August and murdered on the 18th, threw him like an animal, hands tied and blindfolded on the side of the highway. He was a fine young man that was against the cartel. Please pray for his family, his wife, children and parents. You can read more by copying and pasting the following web-site:
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38755444/ns/world_news-americas/

    For more: http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB: SB1000142 40527 4 8704557704575437762646209270.html

    We are not allowed to have guns in Mexico, if we’re caught with a gun, we can get 40 years on up of jail time. We don’t risk it.

    The killings are affecting our night crowds because of the danger involved. We constantly remind them II-Ti 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”..

    Please pray for Mexico.

    Q.D.P.E.

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  6. asshole who posted at February 1, 2012 5:31 PM was this drug related, you serious??? elderly couple doing the lords work, you are fucked up to say something like that, from me to you go fuck yourself u piece of shit! I have seen everything, appears u didn't read the story or go to the website, man what a low life troll!

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  7. What's the point of living there now? The article even said that most people were going to Canada or usa.I feel pity on these people,buy they should have left that city years ago.people high on drugs don't care or fear anybody.This is just another dead couple in this never ending violence plagued country.Bring the death penalty to Mexico!!!

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  8. This makes me sick. I never thought my country who help their men at a high standard has become what it is today...a bunch of selfish, heartless, ruthless scum.

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  9. Rot in hell you dirty mexicans.... STOP trying to help!!!! Think if the shoe was on the other foot.... We've lead them to the water.... Time to drink.

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  10. I live in greeley colorado and this story made my heart sink, I have family in tampico and san luis potosi I fear for them everyday. The tentacles of the violent monster that is the drug war are so far reaching it blows the mind. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this beautiful couple whos only crime was trying to shine a light where there was complete darkness, I hope the actions of these cowards does not deter other people of faith to pursue missionary work in mexico.

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  11. If mexican citizens are not going to do something about it then us mexican americans that have family ties in Mexico should start to do something. I have read in the newsppaper that some people are taking weapons to their relatives in Mexico.

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    Replies
    1. Seriously bro, i have family in mexico as well, we got guns here, few of my cousins army vets hell we have no problem going down and unloading... God bless innocent people of mexico

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  12. may THE WRATH OF GOD show no no mercy on these souless evil cockroaches....elderly, defenseless, doing the lords work...wow....now that iraq & afghanistan are over, our marines need to go to work....hopefully they start taking out more dea and ambassadors so we have reason to go after them....how bout taking out obvious cartel convoys with predator strikes?....HURAH

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  13. I think it is very funny how the American authorities (DEA FBI) pretend to protect its citizens and in reality they are in on it to serve and protect themselves only. These are not the first missionaries to be murder in Mexico. Las time a missionary murdered, was a few days agent Zapata, did they ever find the scoundrels that perpetrated that crime? ofcourse not!! Now when Zapata was murdered a few days later, within a week they had the actual assassins, weeks after that, they got the master minds and weeks after that they even got the guys that bought those weapons in Dallas. They make out that Zapata guy to be a hero, there is even a school named after him already, but if he is anything like the rest of FBI and DEA agents, he was no better than the Zetas themselves. Where is the FBI and DEA when it comes down to doing justice for the murdered missionaries or its american citizens? They are nowhere to be found, same as with the criminals that perpetrated the horrible crime. May God bless the souls of these missionaries, as for justice for them in this world, we wont see it. The good people of Mexico and EU stand alone in this war.

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  14. Simply sad at all levels. If Calderon had any sense and balls he would let law abiding citizens as these have the right to bear arms in their homes, as we have here, so at least they would have a fighting chance. I don't know how this went down but at least with a gun you stand a chance.

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  15. to february 1, 7:31 P.M it could have been any of the cartels not just cdg or zetas! if you come in my country i will fight back we dont want you to come over here we can handle our own shit.

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    1. Ha! Are you serious? So when do you plan to start "handling" things?

      Delete
    2. Don't let the words of a few quick to anger Americans drown out the feelings of most. Just like a small number of people in Mexico make the news by their greedy drug cartel ways it they are not the beauty of which is Mexico.

      Don't let hate spread. Focus on the rotten few who are ruining the lives of millions of good people.

      Delete
    3. Yes Mexico is beautiful but people are to afraid to see it. I wish I could take your attitude and not get angry but those were someones parents, grandparents. Americans are quick to anger? Mexico will handle their own problems? Lets just hang up banners at the border saying"Americans are quick to anger, you do not want to live among that type. Turn around and go back, we have everything handled here"

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    4. I did Moran to apply that all Americans are angry. For from the truth. I do believe I saw some anger on here. I understand this. Myoy real poi t is that try to keep it in check. Letting hate/hate consume your thoughts is not good on so many levels and not good for anyone. Your choices I life will be better o er all. Anger can give you direction. Just don't let it drive you I that direction

      One last note, I don't think it is easy letting hate and anger go. But we must always try and keep it in check.

      Delete
  16. time for Mexican Americans to do something...cause the Mexicans are unable to do it

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  17. Lol @ 6:44

    The FBI and DEA catch criminals every day, it just happens in this country, like its supposed to. Should the FBI chase after every robbery gone wrong involving an American on this planet? They don't have the resources nor is it even safe in a country like Mexico. And of course they spend more time and energy finding someone who killed their own people. Wouldn't a fire fighter fight harder to put out a fire at another fire fighters house? That makes sense to me, professional reapect

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  18. I'm with you brother.

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  19. What I am fed up with are the mexican youth living in the US trying to live the gangster cartel member lifestyle. If you want to be associated with crimes like this, more power to you. Just remember, you might not leave the house your robbing alive in this country. You want to fit in to society, I wish you the best. If you want to act gangster, be prepared to die gangster. I wont think twice about defending myself, my family or my friends.

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  20. to all cartels dont FUCK with TEXAS

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    Replies
    1. They already are and have been for some time. Texas is only one of many states.

      Delete
  21. article 10 of the mexican constitution gives the right for mexican citizens to bear arms. (38 or 22) must buy from the army.

    Mr. Casias was an american citizen living in mexico. he still had the right to have guns. americans take guns into mexico all the time for hunting. it is a myth that people cannot bear arms. in the case of a foreigners the most pragmatic way is to join a shooting club, it is the quickest and easiest way. or a hunting club.....Paz, Chivis

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  22. @ chivis

    what does Q.D.P.E. stand for? Did you mean Q.E.P.D. ( que en paz descanse)?

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  23. I support your view entirely... Keep the faith in each other.

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  24. HEATHEN MONSTERS! WHEN IS MEXICO GOING TO EXTERMINATE THE CARTEL SCUM THAT HAS RUINED THEIR COUNTRY? SO FAR THEY HAVE DONE WAY TO LITTLE WAY TO LATE! IT SEEMS THEY WILL SELL THEIR OWN MOTHERS FOR $100 USD!

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    1. A point of view does not mean its the truth. As it is difficult to root out anyone who does not openly flag themselves as a cartel member. The unfair advantage over the police and the military is the cartel members do not wear uniforms.

      If you have a working strategy, you should get the word out and be the hero of millions.

      I am not saying they are doing the best they can I am saying it could be worse but understand they are between a rock and a hard place.

      Delete
  25. @ February 1, 2012 7:31 PM Eres culo, you won't join the USMC nor will you ever kill a Zetas.I hate them too but just STFU YOU WONT do sh..it.

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  26. HELLXICO is satan's paradise.

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    1. ((rolls eyes to the above comment))

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  27. Being a foreign missionary in a war zone has its hazards, I feel really sad for those people ,but this shit happens all over the world. Mexico is at crossroads it may begin to die down a bit or we are just waiting for another grito de dolores {Hidalgo} and go to war. We need JESUS...strapped with an ak47 ,bazooka,granades,ammo,so he can kill those that did this to his people.ARMATE MEXICANO AHI VIENE LA GUERRA HARTOS ESTAMOS DE QUE NOS CHINGUEN, SI NO ES ALGUN POLITICO CORRUPTO,ES UN PENDEJO ARMADO QUE NO PUDO NI ACABAR LA ESCUELA ,AHI QUE PONER ORDEN..A CHINGAZOS,AMO MI PATRIA Y EL AMOR SIEMPREE DUELE. PATRIA PATRIA MATA UNA RATA.

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  28. @ February 1, 2012 8:29 PM

    @Chivis you are right about the Mexican Constitution and the right to bear arms, but what is important are the laws and norms (Articulos). This is a link from Sedena, 25 pages long;
    http://www.sedena.gob.mx/pdf/leyes/ley_rfa.pdf

    The right to bear arms is complicated, Articulo 26 gives the list of requirements, but there is a catch to it:

    F. Acreditar, a criterio de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional, la necesidad de portar armas por:

    a). La naturaleza de su ocupación o empleo; o
    b). Las circunstancias especiales del lugar en que viva, o
    c). Cualquier otro motivo justificado.

    As for a foreigner : ARTÍCULO 27.- A los extranjeros sólo se les podrá autorizar la portación de armas cuando, además de satisfacer los requisitos señalados en el artículo anterior, acrediten su calidad de inmigrados, salvo el caso del permiso de licencia temporal para turistas con fines deportivos.

    But it's up to the military, they have the final word if a citizen can bear arms: ARTÍCULO 30.- Corresponde a la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional, con la salvedad señalada en el artículo 32 de esta Ley, la expedición, suspensión y cancelación de las licencias de portación de armas, así como su registro, control y vigilancia.

    When it comes to the right to bear arms, keep in mind that Mexico is not the US. I agree with you that one way is to join a shooting club, but it's not an easy task for an ordinary citizen to do that. I lived 20+ years in Nuevo Leon, and I had to pull so many strings to get accepted into a shooting club. Not to say how uncomfortable and intimidating it was to get into the military base for my permit, there is so much red tape. Of course it took a couple of months and never gave any "mordida" to anyone, maybe if I had it could have taken less time, but I'm one of those odd Mexicans that refuse to be a part of that kind of corruption process. Nonetheless, no matter what the constitution says, the right to bear arms in Mexico is not available to all and the Military have the last word as to who will be authorized to carry a gun.

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  29. This is what happens, when white people (Jesus freaks), think they can change the world, in the name of Jesus! Hardcore criminals are motivated by greed and money. They respect nothing...this couple should have never entered into Mexico...God does not exist there, it has become Satan's playground!

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    1. The one thing "Jesus freaks" have going for them is an honorable goal. I find it hard to look down on them for trying to do something for the masses even if they are doing it for their own purpose of salvation (not all do it for this reason).

      It's when you try to take advantage of the masses for your own greed where the masses gain nothing but negative effects.

      To me that's the biggest differences between then.

      Delete
  30. I visited Santiago several times it was such a beautiful town really enjoyed the time there. really sad to see such horrible things happening there.

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  31. I was born in Veracruz but i been living in the states for the past 30 yrs now, its really sad how Mexico is now. They need the US to get involved!!

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  32. TO CHIVIS OR ANY BB REPORTER OR ANYBODY WITH knowledge about my questions: If somebody lives in Mexico can they just enter Canada? An if someone lives in the states and is on the run, can they just go live in Canada?

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  33. February 1, 2012 7:36 PM .That's the right attitude,this isn't a US v MEXICO thing.But i am starting to believe that there is an endemic racist attitude towards the US,and it is to Mexican-Americans,that we may have to look.They know that the majority of people in the US,has nothing against Mexicans at all.But Mexicans cant seem to get past the"i hate the US idea"
    This idiot is what i am talking about-February 1, 2012 7:54 PM .if you come in my country i will fight back we dont want you to come over here we can handle our own shit?You tell me what kind of idiocy is that.The idea is to try and sort this problem out,the US and Mexico are joined at the hip to some extent,whatever it takes to get animals like these who did this crime,whatever it takes to make Mexico safe for decent family's.Get it through your heads,the US will help,not occupy Mexico,god knows you need someones help.If not the USA,then who.Yourselves?
    RIP to these gentle souls.

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  34. This is so down-heartening not only the crime but reading comments.It always gets turned into a political US v Mexico?I have to say,i don't think this cartel war will be solved.The Mexican people have got what they deserve,lets be honest,this is of their own making,yet they still have the arrogant attitude that it is someone else,s fault?
    There is no way out for them,unless they can get past this negative attitude.

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  35. Haaaaa.. Talkn on stuff u dont even know!

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  36. @ 2:38AM

    I can't argue with anything you wrote, you are correct. My issue is folks incorrectly stating citizens are not allowed to bear arms. Many of my friends in Mx do have guns, and Americans found the quickest way was to join a club via a sponsor. I did not say it was easy. But like all things in Mx citizens accept what is, no matter who establishes the parameters, Gov or narcos or narco gov...

    2 mos is not a long wait though it may have seen so to you, but you did get it, and I am yet to personally know anyone who did not. The calibers are less than diserable and no match with AK47s but at least it is something...si? Paz/Out...Chivis

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  37. Mexico is like a bad woman..you fall in love with her and she gets you killed

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  38. the right to bear arms is good in theory ..but in Mexico there is not a civilian gun culture like there is in the USA, and it is idealistic and unrealistic to expect the average Mexican citizen to turn into an effective gun owner overnite...especially when confronted by the cartels and impeded by the government...besides it should not fall on the people to do what the gobierno should be doing, providing a decent level of security for it's own people...what i see is a ruling class who has long been complicit and still is ..i don't think Mexico has ever had a real government, of ,by and for the people ...it has been ruled but not governed..in the USA at least there is some sort of expectation of justice...and at least lip service is paid to the idea of good government...not so in dear Mexico..it is an adversarial , predatory relationship...as soon as Calderon is out ...the cartels will have shown the people that they can resist the governments attempt to control them and in reality Mexico will be ruled by them from now on...thats my pessimistic outlook on it anyway...

    and even in the armed to the teeth USA...crime ,corruption,and the degeneration of society is happening quickly...US Americans like to think we are free...and we are as long as we make our payments, and bark but not bite..but in reality ...when the government and the criminals are the same, as is rapidly becoming the case , no amount of guns are gonna keep you safe..i think a civilized society is first maintained in the mind , not at gunpoint

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  39. Hell yeah time to kill some cartel scumbag... Fuck Mexico!!

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  40. Who can you trust in Mexico? No one. These victims knew their murderers.

    They planned the robbery, arrived with smiles and "Hola compadre" strangled seniors who could not/would not defend themselves and started stripping the place until the "halcon" warned them that someone was coming.

    El pueblo knows who did it and the pueblo should take action against them. If they don't, they are maricones sinverguenzas.

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  41. W'sup "lito"?

    I don't know how a person can mess with old people. That's probably the worst thing you can do is kill an old person.

    In the picture they look like the kindest people you could meet. Like they would go out their way for a stranger.

    R.I.P.

    "You are now with GOD."

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  42. konda guey Ajulio...yeap..seems like there is no bottom to how low it is gonna go in Mexico...

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  43. February 1, 2012 7:31 PM
    like somalia ?
    Aidid ?

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  44. Dayuuummm leave Mexico to Mexicans,they don't want help,they don't ask for it.Fuck em,leave their country to em.They all a bunch of racists anyway."white people this,white people that"All you cowards gloss over this little fact,am i right or wrong?I seriously have had my eyes opened,i am surprised by how racist they are.They hate the US?They don't want their help,and want to blame anyone other than themselves?Fuck em.

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  45. Rumor..... Los R's are now alined with Zetas.. To take over Reynosa, Matamoros, An along river banks in Tamaulipas.. Los Metros are now gonna have a nice time... Puro CxDxG... Atte= eL 29

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  46. OK can we stop batting Mexican gun law around like it means something? It means nothing - like any other Mexican "law". It's about who you know and how much you have.

    If those victims had killed their attackers, the victims would have gone to prison and the court would have ordered them to pay compensation to the attacker's families - and they would have been deported to the US to serve the rest of their "sentence". Tell me I'm wrong BBers.

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  47. Well 4 sure now they r in a better place now, Heaven is the place 2 b at...

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  48. @ February 2, 2012 10:20 AM re:

    "TO CHIVIS OR ANY BB REPORTER OR ANYBODY WITH knowledge about my questions: If somebody lives in Mexico can they just enter Canada? An if someone lives in the states and is on the run, can they just go live in Canada?"

    Mexicans need a Visa to enter Canada and Americans need valid Government issued Photo ID. Anyone (from anywhere) that has a criminal record are not allowed.

    If a crime is committed in Canada you can be deported following serving the crime in Canada. If you are "on the run" you can be deported, but have the right to allow the Canadian government to review the matter.

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  49. February 3, 2012 9:28 AM
    help urself and ur country of drug addicts who want drugs

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  50. 12:13
    help yourself and your country of extortionists, mass murderers, drug traffickers, kidnappers, narcos who want money by any means necessary.

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  51. ....There are no unsolved murders when it comes to God....
    ....God will not be mocked, HE will justly execute judgement on those responsible for shedding innocent blood....
    ....For the gainsaying people whose super intelligence far surpasses everyone else's,
    ONLY A FOOL SAYS THERES NO GOD!!!

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  52. This couple has an intersting history. Wealthy, they found each other and Wanda had 4 children by him. Then he got divorced from his first wife, also a Mexican American, with 5-6 kids, and after a few years he was "saved" (from being Catholic) they got married and went to Mty, which was at that time a wealthy safe enclave for many from the US. It bears looking into if the TX Baptists looking to bring their form of Christianty into Mexico (and I am not sure this was all or any of it, as there is a history of IRS and/or other trouble with some of the originating church, not Casias, i.e. pastor and or church in US shut down) were also targeted by the cartels as a place to launder money, as everyone knows the Catholic church had no choice but to be up to their ears in being foced to take drug money. As always, follow the money and those who knew them.

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  53. Not every criminal is in a cartel.

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