Los Zetas is a group of mercenaries involved with the Gulf Cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels. "Zeta" comes from the Federal Preventive Police radio code for high-ranking officers. Los Zetas are rumored to be ex-Army Special forces, regular troopers, police agents and common criminals who work for Osiel Cardenas in the drug trafficking business. Recent violence has indicated that a rift is growing between the Los Zetas and their boss. Members of Los Zetas have allegedly received special-forces training from the U.S. Army at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia [1]. It is believed that their presence and power can be felt throughout many states in Mexico such as Michoacan (in Yurecuaro), Tamaulipas (in Matamoros). In the last several years, numerous murders in Texas and several engagements with law enforcement in other states have been attributed to Los Zetas due to the unusual special forces tactics displayed. Los Zetas came to power after the hiring of Mexican commandos by Osiel Cardenas and started a rapid expansion, wiping out both gangs and cartel organizations through most of Mexico, and overpowering both the Chihuahua and Arellano-Felix Cartels, once powerful cartels, and repelling the attempt of expansion of the Sinaloa Cartel. Covering most of Mexico, The Zetas Criminal Organization has become a concern for both Mexican and American authorities, and became one of the most powerful criminal organizations according to investigators from the US and Mexico. The Zetas now ride the Gulf Cartel, as Osiel Cárdenas was overthrown and now the Z's are independent. Kold News 13.
External links
- NarcoNews BulletinReporting focused on the drug war and from a Latin American perspective
- Dallas Morning News 'Cartel's enforcers outpower their boss'
- Kold News 13'Los Zetas Draw Concern Of U.S. Government'
