Mexican cult-like drug gang says willing to disband "The brutal cult-like cartel that dominates drug production in Mexico's Michoacan state has made a perplexing call for a truce with the federal government, raising speculation the gang may be losing power.
Early in November, hand-printed banners were strung up in several towns across the western state of Michoacan, including in the state capital Morelia, signed by the cartel known as "La Familia" (The Family), that said the gang would disband if the federal government promised to defend the region from other drug gangs.
In another message released last week, La Familia threatened to suspend all handouts and "charitable activities" during December, unless authorities agreed to talks.
Some analysts think the mysterious messages are a sign Calderon's military crackdown, launched soon after he took office in late 2006, may have crippled La Familia. An alleged member of La Familia arrested this month said the apparent offer to dissolve was authentic, according to a police interrogation video provided to reporters. He also said that the gang was in decline and disorganized.
"Apparently the blows that the Family has suffered have hurt its ability to act," said drug policy expert Jorge Chabat.
Other analysts think the calls for dialogue are a ploy that is part of La Familia's propaganda campaign to maintain support from locals and they doubt that the gang has been seriously disrupted. 'We do not see the government winning that much ground,' said Scott Stewart, an analyst at security consultancy Stratfor. 'What we are seeing is a changing of hands of cartel territory but we are not seeing any real end to cartel activity or the violence.'" Nov. 29, 2010, Reuters
No comments:
Post a Comment