This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-27370457
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Mexican troops 'kill Zetas cartel founder Mellado' | Mexican troops 'kill Zetas cartel founder Mellado' |
(2 days later) | |
Mexican security officials say one of the founders of the Zetas drug cartel has been killed in a gun battle in the north-eastern state of Tamaulipas. | Mexican security officials say one of the founders of the Zetas drug cartel has been killed in a gun battle in the north-eastern state of Tamaulipas. |
Galindo Mellado Cruz is accused of being one of the original members of the Zetas, which first emerged as a group of enforcers for the Gulf cartel. | Galindo Mellado Cruz is accused of being one of the original members of the Zetas, which first emerged as a group of enforcers for the Gulf cartel. |
The two groups later split and became bitter rivals, their fights accounting for much of the violence in the area. | The two groups later split and became bitter rivals, their fights accounting for much of the violence in the area. |
He is believed to be among five gunmen shot dead by the army on Friday. | He is believed to be among five gunmen shot dead by the army on Friday. |
A Tamaulipas state official told the Associated Press news agency that while Mellado no longer held a command position within the Zetas, he had been one of the 30 ex-special forces members to found the group. | A Tamaulipas state official told the Associated Press news agency that while Mellado no longer held a command position within the Zetas, he had been one of the 30 ex-special forces members to found the group. |
Powerful adversaries | Powerful adversaries |
Analysts say the Zetas now control more territory than any other criminal gang in Mexico. | Analysts say the Zetas now control more territory than any other criminal gang in Mexico. |
They are infamous for their extremely violent methods, routinely decapitating rivals and hanging their bodies from bridges. | They are infamous for their extremely violent methods, routinely decapitating rivals and hanging their bodies from bridges. |
The war between the Zetas and their former paymasters, the Gulf cartel, has turned Tamaulipas into one of Mexico's most violent states. | The war between the Zetas and their former paymasters, the Gulf cartel, has turned Tamaulipas into one of Mexico's most violent states. |
Mellado was on the run after escaping from prison where he had been jailed after being accused of armed robbery, rape and murder, the official said. | Mellado was on the run after escaping from prison where he had been jailed after being accused of armed robbery, rape and murder, the official said. |
He was killed in a raid on his hideout in the city of Reynosa along with four other armed men. One soldier also died in the fire fight. | He was killed in a raid on his hideout in the city of Reynosa along with four other armed men. One soldier also died in the fire fight. |
It is not clear how the security forces tracked him down. | It is not clear how the security forces tracked him down. |
The security forces have recently landed a series of heavy blows against Mexico's drug cartels. | The security forces have recently landed a series of heavy blows against Mexico's drug cartels. |
Earlier this year, they arrested the world's most wanted drug lord, Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman. And last year they detained the leader of the Zetas, Miguel Angel Trevino. | |
But a number of high-ranking security officials have also been killed, including the Tamaulipas state intelligence chief, who was shot dead along with his bodyguards in Reynosa last week. | But a number of high-ranking security officials have also been killed, including the Tamaulipas state intelligence chief, who was shot dead along with his bodyguards in Reynosa last week. |
Previous version
1
Next version