Monday 7 January 2013

Over 25 reported killed around Mexico

More than 25 were reported killed or found dead around Mexico on 3-5 January in incidents presumed linked to drugs and cartels; 12 of the victims died on 4-5 January in the northern state of Chihuahua, the review Proceso reported. Of the 12, six were killed in the districts of Valle de Zaragoza and Delicias on 5 January and six, identified as relatives of the mayor of Balleza in Chihuahua, on 4 January. The latter were initially declared to have died in a car crash as all six were found next to a car by a road in Cabeza de Venado south-west of the district of Parral; after relatives insisted this had been a "multiple execution," investigations began, which revealed the six had been "tortured" and beaten to death. Two of them were apparently kidnapped on 3 January and were sought out by four relatives who were killed with them, Proceso reported. The former district police chief of Balleza was in turn arrested on 4 January and was to be prosecuted on kidnapping and murder charges, Proceso reported. He was dismissed in January 2012 after being accused of kidnapping and killing a shopkeeper, but fled; he was arrested after returning to Balleza. Two men were shot dead in a bar late on 4 January in the northern city of Torreón - a day after three were shot in another bar in that city - while four were shot dead in a house in Zapopan in the western state of Jalisco early on 5 January, Proceso reported. It reported five other killings on 3-4 January in the states of Morelos, Durango, Nuevo León and Guanajuato. Also on 5 January authorities in the north-central state of San Luis Potosí publicly presented 13 detainees identified as members of the Gulf Cartel thought to have been active in criminal activities in various districts of the state, Proceso reported, citing the regional daily Pulso. Arms, ammunition and communication items were reportedly taken from them.