Counterattack by La Familia
Mexican authorities arrested Arnold Rueda Medina, one of the top figures in the La Familia cartel in Michoacan. The arrest was a serious hit to the organization and a win for Mexico's intelligence and security forces. What happened next, however, was a sign of just how powerful some of these transnational criminal organizations have become.
Within two hours, paramilitary units controlled by La Familia attacked the police station where Rueda was being held. Failing to free him, the group began a ten hour, eight city coordinated attack against security forces in the area. Media reports say the attackers used military grade weapons and grenades. Three police officers were killed as they responded to the scene of an accident, only to have a convoy drive by and shoot them down. Two soldiers were assassinated while returning to their barracks. 18 other police officers were wounded in the series of attacks, some of which attacked targets out in the open patroling while others assaulted buildings where security forces were located.
Two of the attackers were arrested and one killed, but it's uncertain at this point how many attackers were involved in all of the incidents combined. It looks like the attacks were focused on security forces with no civilians targeted.
I definitely agree with those who say Mexico needs police and judicial reform to fight the drug traffickers. However, the style of warfare used by La Familia this weekend goes beyond what most police units are capable of fighting. The bad guys are well trained, funded, armed and coordinated. They're willing to go on the offensive, target security forces on patrol, engage in ambushes, go after off-duty officers and assault police stations and military barracks. Most countries' militaries, much less their police units, would be challenged by that level of attack. And remember, most of this cartel is based in only one state in Mexico; there is a broader nationwide security challenge too.
La Familia spent several hours engaging in insurgency-style warfare against the Mexican security forces as a display of force and a warning to the government. I get the sense they held back from doing even more damage by avoiding civilian targets. Any government in the world would have to go back and ask themselves how to prepare for the next high level arrest after these attacks.
Also worth reading, today's LA Times discusses the complexity of the battle the Mexican government faces two and a half years into the Calderon administration.
Within two hours, paramilitary units controlled by La Familia attacked the police station where Rueda was being held. Failing to free him, the group began a ten hour, eight city coordinated attack against security forces in the area. Media reports say the attackers used military grade weapons and grenades. Three police officers were killed as they responded to the scene of an accident, only to have a convoy drive by and shoot them down. Two soldiers were assassinated while returning to their barracks. 18 other police officers were wounded in the series of attacks, some of which attacked targets out in the open patroling while others assaulted buildings where security forces were located.
Two of the attackers were arrested and one killed, but it's uncertain at this point how many attackers were involved in all of the incidents combined. It looks like the attacks were focused on security forces with no civilians targeted.
I definitely agree with those who say Mexico needs police and judicial reform to fight the drug traffickers. However, the style of warfare used by La Familia this weekend goes beyond what most police units are capable of fighting. The bad guys are well trained, funded, armed and coordinated. They're willing to go on the offensive, target security forces on patrol, engage in ambushes, go after off-duty officers and assault police stations and military barracks. Most countries' militaries, much less their police units, would be challenged by that level of attack. And remember, most of this cartel is based in only one state in Mexico; there is a broader nationwide security challenge too.
La Familia spent several hours engaging in insurgency-style warfare against the Mexican security forces as a display of force and a warning to the government. I get the sense they held back from doing even more damage by avoiding civilian targets. Any government in the world would have to go back and ask themselves how to prepare for the next high level arrest after these attacks.
Also worth reading, today's LA Times discusses the complexity of the battle the Mexican government faces two and a half years into the Calderon administration.
Labels: illicit-trafficking, latinamerica, Mexico, military, security |
