La Jornada (Translated by WorldMeets.US) The director of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA for its English acronym) Michele Leonhart resigned yesterday following a scandal involving DEA agents partying with prostitutes in Colombia - and after lawmakers in our neighboring country's House of Representatives issued a statement of no confidence in respect to her performance on the issue.
It should be recalled that last month, the U.S. Department of Justice released an internal report which revealed the involvement of some DEA officers at parties with prostitutes funded by drug cartels in Cartagena, Colombia, which was part of a broader investigation into another scandal in which Secret Service members in 2012 were involved with sex workers in that city as President Barack Obama participated in the Summit of the Americas. Read more.
The MexicoBlog of the Americas Program, a fiscally sponsored program of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), is written by Laura Carlsen. I monitor and analyze international press on Mexico, with a focus on security, immigration, human rights and social movements for peace and justice, from a feminist perspective. And sometimes I simply muse.
Showing posts with label U.S. Corruption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Corruption. Show all posts
Apr 20, 2015
Final round: Cartel twins vs. cop-backed kidnapper
The Sun Times: To Pedro Flores, the two men who pulled him over had looked like cops.
But moments later, face down in the back of a windowless van, his hands and feet zip-tied, Flores realized he’d been duped.
At 22, he had been quietly working with his twin brother, Margarito, to create the most successful drug-dealing partnership in Chicago’s history. Read more.
But moments later, face down in the back of a windowless van, his hands and feet zip-tied, Flores realized he’d been duped.
At 22, he had been quietly working with his twin brother, Margarito, to create the most successful drug-dealing partnership in Chicago’s history. Read more.
Feb 16, 2013
U.S. Embassy Denies Intervening in Mexico Cabinet Choice
The NY Times
By GINGER THOMPSON
Published: February 16, 2013
The United States Embassy in Mexico on Friday issued a statement denying an article in The New York Times that reported that Ambassador Anthony Wayne had met with senior Mexican officials to discuss American concerns about the possible appointment of Gen. Moisés García Ochoa of Mexico as that country’s defense secretary
“Despite significant reporting in the Mexican press during the presidential transition about the potential candidates to head Mexico’s military,” the statement read, “Ambassador Wayne did not discuss Gen. Moisés García Ochoa with Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, now secretary of government, or Jorge Carlos Ramírez Marín, now secretary for agrarian, territorial and urban development (SEDATU), as reported in the New York Times story.” Read More.
By GINGER THOMPSON
Published: February 16, 2013
The United States Embassy in Mexico on Friday issued a statement denying an article in The New York Times that reported that Ambassador Anthony Wayne had met with senior Mexican officials to discuss American concerns about the possible appointment of Gen. Moisés García Ochoa of Mexico as that country’s defense secretary
“Despite significant reporting in the Mexican press during the presidential transition about the potential candidates to head Mexico’s military,” the statement read, “Ambassador Wayne did not discuss Gen. Moisés García Ochoa with Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, now secretary of government, or Jorge Carlos Ramírez Marín, now secretary for agrarian, territorial and urban development (SEDATU), as reported in the New York Times story.” Read More.
Sep 15, 2012
How the Militarized War on Drugs in Latin America Benefits Transnational Corporations and Undermines Democracy
Sunday, 05 August 2012 00:00
By Mark Karlin, Truthout | News Analysis
Is the So-Called War on Drugs in Mexico and Latin America Being Used to Advance US Military and Economic Interests?
In an article that explored myths about the war on illegal narcotics, "Drug War Capitalism," Canadian journalist Dawn Paley dispels the notion that nearly a trillion dollars spent on eradicating illegal drug trafficking (since Richard Nixon's administration) has shown any serious success.
Paley noted, "In the 11 years since Plan Colombia was launched [for example], the US government has spent over $3.6 billion on narcotics and law enforcement initiatives. Yet the US government reports that 'Colombia remains one of the world's largest producers and exporters of cocaine, as well as a source country for heroin and marijuana.'" Indeed, Paley cited a 2008 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that found the "estimated flow of cocaine towards the United States from South America rising from 2000-2006."
As Truthout pointed out in "The US War on Drug Cartels in Mexico Is a Deadly Failure," the attempt to curtail trafficking in narcotics "in many of the southern nations of the Western Hemisphere is basically a bloody game of whack-a-mole.... There is no measurable indicator that the supply of illicit drugs into the United States is decreasing as a result. So, there is no end game here."
Juan Gabriel Tokatlian, professor of international relations at the Universidad de Di Tella, Argentina, substantiated this failure in an article, "Beating the Drug-War Addiction": "Indeed, USSOUTHCOM [United States Southern Command, headquartered in Miami, which oversees the US military in Latin America] has controlled 75% of the more than $12 billion that the US government has allocated to anti-drug activities in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2000. But, despite this expensive military campaign, all evidence shows that the 'war on drugs' has been a fiasco." Read more.
By Mark Karlin, Truthout | News Analysis
Is the So-Called War on Drugs in Mexico and Latin America Being Used to Advance US Military and Economic Interests?
In an article that explored myths about the war on illegal narcotics, "Drug War Capitalism," Canadian journalist Dawn Paley dispels the notion that nearly a trillion dollars spent on eradicating illegal drug trafficking (since Richard Nixon's administration) has shown any serious success.
Paley noted, "In the 11 years since Plan Colombia was launched [for example], the US government has spent over $3.6 billion on narcotics and law enforcement initiatives. Yet the US government reports that 'Colombia remains one of the world's largest producers and exporters of cocaine, as well as a source country for heroin and marijuana.'" Indeed, Paley cited a 2008 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that found the "estimated flow of cocaine towards the United States from South America rising from 2000-2006."
As Truthout pointed out in "The US War on Drug Cartels in Mexico Is a Deadly Failure," the attempt to curtail trafficking in narcotics "in many of the southern nations of the Western Hemisphere is basically a bloody game of whack-a-mole.... There is no measurable indicator that the supply of illicit drugs into the United States is decreasing as a result. So, there is no end game here."
Juan Gabriel Tokatlian, professor of international relations at the Universidad de Di Tella, Argentina, substantiated this failure in an article, "Beating the Drug-War Addiction": "Indeed, USSOUTHCOM [United States Southern Command, headquartered in Miami, which oversees the US military in Latin America] has controlled 75% of the more than $12 billion that the US government has allocated to anti-drug activities in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2000. But, despite this expensive military campaign, all evidence shows that the 'war on drugs' has been a fiasco." Read more.
Aug 13, 2012
US border guards found guilty of people-smuggling
BBC: Two former officers of the US Border Patrol have been found guilty of using their position to smuggle hundreds of illegal immigrants across the border from Mexico for personal gain.
Raul Villarreal and his brother, Fidel, were also convicted of accepting bribes and conspiring to launder money.
Before the case, Raul Villarreal often appeared as a high-profile spokesman for the US Border Patrol agency. Read more.
Raul Villarreal and his brother, Fidel, were also convicted of accepting bribes and conspiring to launder money.
Before the case, Raul Villarreal often appeared as a high-profile spokesman for the US Border Patrol agency. Read more.
May 14, 2012
Corruption flows freely along U.S.-Mexico border
KIAH TV Houston: From a small hill at a state park here, the border town of Palomas,
Mexico, can be made out through the desert haze. It lies four miles to
the south, but the corruption that roils Palomas and the rest of
Northern Mexico may as well be a block away.
Last year, black sedans and hatchbacks loaded with federal agents poured into Columbus, a town of 2,000 people, arresting the mayor, the police chief, a city trustee and nine others. They have all pleaded guilty in a gun-smuggling operation that sold about 100 firearms, mostly assault rifles, to Mexican drug cartels."Unfortunately, the border is just one vast conspiracy," said Howard Anderson, the lawyer for former Mayor Eddie Espinoza. read more
Last year, black sedans and hatchbacks loaded with federal agents poured into Columbus, a town of 2,000 people, arresting the mayor, the police chief, a city trustee and nine others. They have all pleaded guilty in a gun-smuggling operation that sold about 100 firearms, mostly assault rifles, to Mexican drug cartels."Unfortunately, the border is just one vast conspiracy," said Howard Anderson, the lawyer for former Mayor Eddie Espinoza. read more
Apr 26, 2012
Mexico will investigate Wal-Mart
The Columbus Dispatch: " Mexico said yesterday that it would open an investigation into allegations that the Mexican unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. bribed officials to expand its business in Mexico, piling pressure onto the embattled retail giant.
The federal comptroller’s office said it has begun checking the paperwork and permits Wal-Mart de Mexico, known as Walmex, obtained to open and operate its stores in Mexico.
The comptroller’s office added that it would ask U.S. authorities for information on the case in order to carry out its investigation and that the federal government would take action if wrongdoing by public officials was detected." read more
The federal comptroller’s office said it has begun checking the paperwork and permits Wal-Mart de Mexico, known as Walmex, obtained to open and operate its stores in Mexico.
The comptroller’s office added that it would ask U.S. authorities for information on the case in order to carry out its investigation and that the federal government would take action if wrongdoing by public officials was detected." read more
Apr 13, 2012
US Agent Accused of Buying Guns for Mexican Cartels
Fox News Latino: "A U.S. Border Patrol agent and his girlfriend are in custody on charges of conspiring to buy firearms and ammunition and smuggle them to criminal gangs in Mexico, according to court documents.
Ricardo Montalvo, 28, and Carla González-Ortiz, 29, were arrested Monday after a federal grand jury sitting in the El Paso Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas handed down a 20-count indictment." read more
Ricardo Montalvo, 28, and Carla González-Ortiz, 29, were arrested Monday after a federal grand jury sitting in the El Paso Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas handed down a 20-count indictment." read more
Apr 3, 2012
Before ‘Aiding’ Mexico, U.S. Must Deal with its Own Corruption
El Universal: "“Mexico has made the U.S. aware of its mistakes in regard to high drug consumption and the indiscriminate sale of assault weapons on its territory. … But what has not been achieved is participation from our northern neighbors commensurate with the responsibility that they have now accepted.
Organized crime is transnational, and will only be eliminated if attacked with equal force in all countries in which it resides.”" read more
Mar 14, 2012
Drug War and U.S. Corruption: Santa Cruz Sheriffs Deputy sentenced for trying to smuggle cocaine
KVOA: "A former Santa Cruz County Sheriff who allegedly used his position to smuggle nearly 5 kilograms of cocaine across the U.S./Mexico border was sentenced today in U.S. District Court.
Jesus Rene Contreras, 31, who was a six-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine - he pleaded guilty to the charge back in July 2011.
Court documents reveal Contreras worked with Ernesto Castro and another individual to use Contreras' position as a deputy sheriff to transport cocaine past the I-19 Border Patrol checkpoint. On March 2, 2010, he drove about 4.9 kilograms of cocaine past the checkpoint while in uniform and driving his official patrol vehicle." read more
Jesus Rene Contreras, 31, who was a six-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine - he pleaded guilty to the charge back in July 2011.
Court documents reveal Contreras worked with Ernesto Castro and another individual to use Contreras' position as a deputy sheriff to transport cocaine past the I-19 Border Patrol checkpoint. On March 2, 2010, he drove about 4.9 kilograms of cocaine past the checkpoint while in uniform and driving his official patrol vehicle." read more
Feb 29, 2012
U.S. Corruption and Drug War: Gandara Moved to Federal Courthouse to Arrange for Release
KVIA El Paso: "El Paso Sheriffs deputies tell ABC-7 that Guillermo "Willie" Gandara Jr. was moved from the El Paso County Jail to the U.S. Federal Courthouse this morning where he is making arrangements to bond out of jail.
A federal judge on Monday set Gandara's bond at $50,000 cash bond. Gandara has been charged with federal drug trafficking charges and has been in jail since Thursday morning.
During Monday's hearing, prosecutors played video surveillance evidence they said shows Gandara and Juan Canales engaged in illegal activity. Canales was released early Wednesday morning on a $20,000 cash bond.
Gandara is expected to officially resign his seat on Commissioners Court on Wednesday, according to County Judge Veronica Escobar." read more
A federal judge on Monday set Gandara's bond at $50,000 cash bond. Gandara has been charged with federal drug trafficking charges and has been in jail since Thursday morning.
During Monday's hearing, prosecutors played video surveillance evidence they said shows Gandara and Juan Canales engaged in illegal activity. Canales was released early Wednesday morning on a $20,000 cash bond.
Gandara is expected to officially resign his seat on Commissioners Court on Wednesday, according to County Judge Veronica Escobar." read more
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