Mexico Drug War: Shadowy group says it targets Mexico drug cartel; some are glad

A look at the chaos, fear and confusion that now reigns in the state of Veracruz.

latimes.com: "It is a sign of the desperation and outrage over drug-war violence that the vigilantes are not only tolerated but welcomed. But there is a disturbing question: Just who is behind their killings?" read more

Drug Cartels: The Myth of a 'Good Guy' Drug Cartel in Mexico

InSight Crime: "The use of coy vigilante messages ("I killed them to protect you") is a fixture in the Mexican cartel conflicts. Some groups -- notably the big Sinaloa Cartel (but less so the rapacious Zetas) -- seek to curry public favor by claiming that hits on rivals are done to safeguard the citizenry. In analyst jargon, the Sinaloa Cartel has long presented itself as being only a "transactional" drug smuggling corporation (i.e., seeking only to smuggle drugs through Mexico and not prey directly on Mexican citizens), while the Zetas, using naked force, make no bones about being a "territorial" cartel (claiming ownership of everyone and everything on Zeta turf, and mercilessly exacting tribute).

When put that way, the best option for Mexico might seem clear: Leave the good-guy smugglers alone to clean up the bad-guy predators, in hopes of an imperfect peace."

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Mexico Drug War: New enforcement push in Veracruz state announced

latimes.com: "The federal government has announced a fresh security operation aimed at regaining control over the eastern coastal state of Veracruz, where entrenched criminal organizations and a paramilitary-style gang have unleashed a wave of deadly drug-war violence.

In a formal and subdued setting before a portrait of national hero Benito Juarez, members of Mexico's national security council said Tuesday evening that only the state had the authority to combat criminal groups in the country's ongoing conflict against traffickers. The statements made an indirect reference to the so-called Mata Zetas, or Zeta Killers, an apparently well-armed and well-trained new gang that surfaced in late July."

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Mexico Drug War: The 'Zeta Killers' and the Rise of Narco-Horror

This analysis of the Mexico crug cartels' use of media rambles a bit, but presents some interesting points of view on the history and function of "narco-horror" as communication.

InSight Crime: "The release of a new video showing an armed group calling themselves the "Zeta Killers" confirms the evolution of Mexico's drug war into a battle of information, images, and propaganda played out in the media."

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Mexico Drug War: Mexico denies that paramilitaries operate

The Washington Post: "Top Mexican security officials said Thursday that there is no evidence that true paramilitary groups are operating in Mexico, countering video boasts by a shadowy group of masked men who asserted responsibility for the torture-murder of 35 alleged drug cartel members last week."

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Mexico Drug War Cartels: No Need to Worry About Mexico's Elusive Paramilitary Groups

InSight Crime: "For anyone looking to explain why paramilitarism is on the rise in Mexico, the case of the Mata Zetas, or "Zeta Killers" is a terrible example. The group, which first appeared in late July, has spoken of their desire to rid Veracruz of the Zetas drug gang, describing themselves as a "paramilitary arm of the people."

The group does not appear to be a collection of citizens who have mobilized against drug violence and crime. The most accepted version of their origins is that they are a faction of a Jalisco-based drug gang looking to displace the Zetas from the Veracruz plaza. To describe them as "paramilitary" implies a certain level of grassroots, citizen-led organization, spurred by funding from influential families, or else sources in the private sector or politics. However, in the case of the Mata Zetas, it's unclear whether are backed by anyone other than a criminal group, the Jalisco Cartel - New Generation (Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion - CJNG)."

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Mexico Drug War: Mexican government rejects videos calling for extermination of Zetas cartel

The Washington Post: "The Mexican government said it is investigating videos posted on the Internet in which a gang of masked men vow to exterminate the violent Zetas drug cartel, and said it opposes such vigilante methods.

At least two videos have been posted by a group believed linked to the powerful Sinaloa cartel that calls itself the “Mata Zetas,” or “Zetas Killers.” ... In the most recent video, posted over the weekend, the group says it is attacking the Zetas because people are tired of the gang’s kidnappings and extortion."

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