Source: NPR, STRATFOR. Credit: Stephanie d'Otreppe/NPR
How the U.S. Fights The Zeta Cartel, From Spies To Sanctions -- Danger Room
The violence in the Mexican border state of Nuevo Leon began Tuesday morning and continued into Wednesday. By the end, 30 bodies had turned up around the state with bullet wounds or had been dismembered. The cause was attributed to a seemingly never-ending war between the Zeta drug cartel and their rivals. And that may only be a prelude. Miguel Angel Treviño, or "Z-40," has seized the leadership of the cartel from longtime chief Heriberto Lazcano, according to the Associated Press, which describes the new boss as a "brutal assassin" who favors cooking his enemies inside burning oil drums.
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My Comment: In the past, the U.S. provided training, equipment, and funds to support Latin America's wars against the drug cartels. It appears that a policy shift has occurred (with no debate), and that U.S. forces are now becoming directly involved.