BajaNomad

New WikiLeak say Mexico's southern border a sieve for guns and drugs

Woooosh - 12-12-2010 at 06:28 PM

One new WikiLeak cable released on Mexico today and covers arms trafficking. This cable, 10mexico77, is about the southern border with Guatemala. If we think the North border with USA is a problem, their southern border is a nightmare with only 125 Mexican immigration officials to monitor the 577 mile border with Guatemala (there are 30,000 U.S. CBP officers on the 1,926 mile Mexican/U.S. border).

http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2010/01/10MEXICO77.html

10MEXICO77 Cable excerpts:

The conference highlighted weak controls on Mexico's southern border that are contributing to problems with illegal migration and guns/drugs smuggling.

Family feuds prevent internal cooperation. Much more needs to be done to improve secure information sharing among federal agencies and between Federal and State officials in Mexico. Better cooperation among Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize could also help coordinate current efforts by each state and ensure that existing laws are enforced.The conference members visited 3 border checkpoints with alarming results:

Crossing #1 in Talisman, Chiapas, the conference participants witnessed almost as many individuals crossing the border illegally as legally. Immigration officials conjectured that individuals crossing illegally under the bridge were either visiting family members on the other side of border or engaging in informal commerce.

Crossing #2 in Ciudad Hidalgo: While officials displayed an impressive array of non-intrusive inspection equipment, e.g.,hand-held spectrometers for the identification of drugs and explosives and gamma-ray inspection equipment for large containers, these devices are not incorporated effectively into border control protocols.

The final border crossing only served to re-inforce the concerns that emerged from the first two sites the group visited. One of the most memorable images of the day was the steady flow of rafts transporting people and goods across the river illegally within sight of the legal border crossing.

The most interesting discussion focused on information and intelligence sharing among Mexican agencies, including the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), the Marine Secretariat (SEMAR), the Office of the Attorney General (PGR), and the Center for Investigation and National Security (CISEN). The discussion started with many self-congratulatory comments from panel members on how well their respective organizations collect and share information. The lack of coordination between federal and state officials became apparent when a representative from the
Chiapas State Attorney General's Office complained that his state does not receive any information from the federal authorities and has no input or visibility in the federal process.

Bajahowodd - 12-12-2010 at 06:37 PM

Is it therefore any wonder why the US has fortified its border? Yet, the fact is that Central American travelers find nothing like a welcome from Mexico. Historical anecdotes suggest that Central American transients may only wish they had been caught by the US Border Patrol.

Woooosh - 12-12-2010 at 09:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Is it therefore any wonder why the US has fortified its border? Yet, the fact is that Central American travelers find nothing like a welcome from Mexico. Historical anecdotes suggest that Central American transients may only wish they had been caught by the US Border Patrol.

The southern border entry is wide open for immigrants:

"Mexican law allows individuals to cross the border with an "original" identification document but does not prescribe what constitutes an "original" document. As long as the individual agrees to confine one's visit to the state of Chiapas and return to Guatemala after an undefined period of time, one is granted admission to the country."

Of course once they cross, they overstay their welcome by heading north. Once on that journey they either deliver their contraband or sadly become prey, with numerous cases of human rights abuses documented.

I wonder how the second conference on this went? If Merida funds were indeed withheld because of those continued Human rights abuses, the second conference didn't go so well either. More WikiLeaks to come on this I should guess...

Ken Cooke - 12-13-2010 at 10:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
If we think the North border with USA is a problem, their southern border is a nightmare with only 125 Mexican immigration officials to monitor the 577 mile border with Guatemala (there are 30,000 U.S. CBP officers on the 1,926 mile Mexican/U.S. border).


I saw a movie recently that explored the border region of Guatemala and Mexico (Chiapas). This region looked like a free-for-all for Central and South Americans traveling north into Mexico.

Ken Cooke - 12-13-2010 at 10:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
If we think the North border with USA is a problem, their southern border is a nightmare with only 125 Mexican immigration officials to monitor the 577 mile border with Guatemala (there are 30,000 U.S. CBP officers on the 1,926 mile Mexican/U.S. border).


I saw a movie recently that explored the border region of Guatemala and Mexico (Chiapas). This region looked like a free-for-all for Central and South Americans traveling north into Mexico.

mcfez - 12-14-2010 at 02:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
If we think the North border with USA is a problem, their southern border is a nightmare with only 125 Mexican immigration officials to monitor the 577 mile border with Guatemala (there are 30,000 U.S. CBP officers on the 1,926 mile Mexican/U.S. border).


I saw a movie recently that explored the border region of Guatemala and Mexico (Chiapas). This region looked like a free-for-all for Central and South Americans traveling north into Mexico.



Damn good movie too Ken. Riding em trains and getting robbed...geeze!

So..what WAS the name of that movie?

BajaBruno - 12-14-2010 at 03:59 PM

It is interesting that the alarmists north of the border continually focus on the US as the source for narco-terrorist weapons, yet the Mexican news invariably shows photos of guns that are illegal in the US, e.g. fully automatic machine guns, sub-machine guns, and hand grenades. Clearly, there is another source country for these military arms and the southern border is the more likely entry point.

Woooosh - 12-14-2010 at 04:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBruno
It is interesting that the alarmists north of the border continually focus on the US as the source for narco-terrorist weapons, yet the Mexican news invariably shows photos of guns that are illegal in the US, e.g. fully automatic machine guns, sub-machine guns, and hand grenades. Clearly, there is another source country for these military arms and the southern border is the more likely entry point.



A FOX story today is about how much hands-on help the US Military is giving Guatemala to control the border with Mexico from their side. I guess if Mexico isn't willing or able to do it, Guatemala apparently is. Article also say the Zetas are moving south and setting up shop and training bases in Guatemala. Also of note is the narco-related murder rate in Guatemala is claimed to be double that of Mexico.

"America's Third War: Fighting Drug Cartels in Guatemela"

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/12/13/americas-war-fighting-d...

Sin Nombre

Ken Cooke - 12-14-2010 at 05:50 PM


Woooosh - 12-14-2010 at 05:53 PM

YIKES! Well at least you know to cross the street before these two get near you ...

Ken Cooke - 12-14-2010 at 06:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
YIKES! Well at least you know to cross the street before these two get near you ...

The acting in this film was superb. You *have* to see it.


Sayra (Gaitan), a Honduran teenager, and Willy (Flores), a recent recruit in the Mara Salvatrucha gang, both dream of better lives for themselves, and a fateful event will find the two strangers united on a freight train bound for the U.S., where the hope for new lives await.

bajaguy - 12-14-2010 at 09:13 PM

Always helps to be nondescript and maintain a low profile.....

Woooosh - 12-14-2010 at 09:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Always helps to be nondescript and maintain a low profile.....

These guys are going to blend in where exactly? They might have a shot with the Maori in New Zealand if they pack on some pounds and stow away on a freighter.

bryanmckenzie - 12-18-2010 at 06:52 PM

This looks like a good movie, worth seeing. I know there have been several PBS-style documentaries covering the dangerous train ride northward. I know the CBC also did one awhile back. Sin nombre ...
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
If we think the North border with USA is a problem, their southern border is a nightmare with only 125 Mexican immigration officials to monitor the 577 mile border with Guatemala (there are 30,000 U.S. CBP officers on the 1,926 mile Mexican/U.S. border).


I saw a movie recently that explored the border region of Guatemala and Mexico (Chiapas). This region looked like a free-for-all for Central and South Americans traveling north into Mexico.