Twenty-two suspected drug traffickers arrested in Guatemala
Twenty-two suspected drug traffickers were arrested and automatic weapons and planes were seized in Guatemala after a week of operations against Mexican drug cartels in Central America.
This wave of arrests - four on Sundays and eighteen last week - is the biggest blow to the Mexican gang 'Zetas' presence on nearly 75% of Guatemalan territory, officials said responsible for security. "These individuals were not only getting ready to fight the security forces, they attempted to take control of the country " said Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom, the press this week. The state of siege was declared last Dec. 19 in the state of Alta Verapaz in the north, which has to authorize the government to make arrests and supendre freedom of assembly and gathering for a month.
The government of Guatemala decreed Sunday "state of siege" in the department of Alta Verapaz
The Government of Guatemala has declared Sunday "state of siege" in the department of Alta Verapaz, (in the north, 200 km from the capital, and the Mexican border) to fight against the impunity that reigns in the region dominated by Mexican drug traffickers.
After a government investigation has revealed a wide margin of action of drug traffickers belonging to the Mexican cartel Los Zetas in this department, the authorities took the decision to declare "state of siege" according to a statement made by the Secretary attached to the Statement by the President, Ronaldo Robles. Los Zetas are an illegal armed group of rare violence, incorporated in its majority by hired assassins of former Mexican and Guatemalan military, they "took control" of Alta Verapaz for over a year and keep the population local constant anxiety assured Robles. Even if the authorities do not know the exact number of entrants to this criminal group, they ensure that dozens of former military elite unit " Kaibil " the Guatemalan army joined the organization.
"Cities of Coban and Carcha mainly used by Los Zetas to conduct criminal operations throughout the country and prepare for drug transportation" , he added. In addition to an investigation by the administrative authorities, the Mexican justice Guatemalan arrested six members of Los Zetas in September, four of them revealed that they have been manipulated by this criminal gang in order that if they engage in criminal acts with "the promise of winning the United States" . Faced with this upsurge of organized crime, the state of siege was declared and "remain in force for 30 days" or for a period longer, if necessary, so that "the restoration of the rule of law in this department comes to banditry could take place" , supported the Guatemalan authorities.
The siege part under the Public Order Act of Guatemala and allows the government to suspend constitutional guarantees in the geographical area where that status is declared. In accordance with this proclamation, the government deployed throughout the department contingents of soldiers and officers of the PNC (National Civil Police). Approximately 500 representatives of the armed forces and police were dispatched to Alta Verapaz to engage in the pacification of the territory, and as such, engage in search and arrest criminals. The security forces are engaged in numerous house searches in the municipalities of Coban, San Juan and San Pedro Chamelco Carchá to track down criminals, and they have also installed several checkpoints on major roads in the country. Through a statement, the executive informed the citizens of Alta Verapaz that security forces could "push or punish any individual or collective action" groups who tend to oppose the recovery of state control over the territory. ;
The Zetas former right arm of the Mexican Gulf Cartel of Mexico, has a scope that includes eastern and southern Mexico (border with Guatemala), which profoundly affects the neighboring country. In this context of tension, Álvaro Colom, President of the republic, urged people to calm and cooperation, a demand that was reiterated in the evening by the Minister of the Interior, Carlos Menocal, and that of Defense Abraham Valenzuela, during a press conference "What the public does not alarmed: we have to do our work and arrest offenders or organized groups that are bathed in organized crime " Menocal said. For the criminologist and academic David Martínez Amador, the government responded to demonstrations of force that the Zetas have realized, however, he considers that these security operations will be useless if "the police continues to be corrupt, if the judicial system remains weak and insufficient number of prisons" .
"The Siege" happens right after "state of war" in terms of severity, "when in force, the authorities and entities of state will have to lend support to military forces and cooperate in according to their requirements ". Coban, capital of the department of Alta Verapaz, is sometimes presented as" the capital of drug trafficking in Guatemala ". In November last, the local press was informed that weapons had been seized from members of Los Zetas were betting on a stolen arsenal to the army of Guatemala in 2007. A colonel was then stopped while the journalist who disclosed the information had been threatened with death. An anonymous source told EFE that the Zetas "have made this region the center of their operations ", " They roam the area in off-road vehicles, heavily armed. They kidnap and rape women and young peasants forced to work for them ". The location of Guatemala, close to Mexico, has made this department one of the strongholds of drug trafficking for the past several years, the drug passes and by Mexico, Honduras to the United States.
The Guatemalan army has declared a state of emergency Sunday in a province north of the country (region of Coban) which, according to authorities, is controlled by Mexican drug traffickers.
A spokesman for the president of Guatemala said the government was preparing the ground for a month to intervene in the province of Alta Verapaz. He wanted to regain control of cities that are under the influence of the Zetas gang, Ronaldo Robles told on air of radio station Emisoras Unidas. Martial law allows the government to detain suspects and conduct searches without warrants. It may also prohibit possession of firearms, ban public gatherings and monitor local medial thanks to this exceptional law, which is given to the state in cases of terrorism, sedition or rebellion, or as soon as events "threaten the constitutional order or security of the state" .
The state of emergency was introduced for a period of 30 days but "will last as long as necessary" said Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom.
The Zetas gang is composed of former soldiers who took their first steps into the Gulf cartel as henchmen before emancipated. The authorities said the Zetas would have established in Guatemala two years ago. According Ronaldo Robles, the traffickers have control over many cities in the province of Alta Verapaz. The government, he said, decided it was time to act and to regain control of these cities. Sunday, drug agents wearing ski masks patrolled the streets of Coban, the capital Provincial. Police and soldiers searched at least 16 homes and offices. They also stopped all vehicles entering and leaving the city, according to the website of the government.
Justice sentenced Dec. 2 eight people to prison terms ranging from 17 to 210 years in prison for murder in Guatemala in 2007, three members salvadoriens the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) and their driver. "The motive for the crime was revenge of the former member Salvadoran Roberto Silva , writes the daily. Silva had counted on the support of parliamentary Guatemalan Manuel de Jesus Castillo, who had organized the killings with a group of police and drug traffickers.
The wife of a militant killed in Canada continues HudBay Minerals
The wife of a Guatemalan activist Canadian society continues to HudBay Minerals $ 12 million in the death of her husband in September 2009 in Guatemala, where the company operates mining nickel.
Adolfo Ich Shaman was shot in the neck by the head of security of society CGN, a subsidiary of HudBay, El Estor in eastern Guatemala after a peaceful demonstration against a proposed extraction of nickel. The teacher of modest opposed the environmental practices of the company CGN and the expropriation of the land of the Maya people.
" The company does not care about our troubles, she treats us like animals. All I want is justice "said Angelica Shock, the widow of Adolfo Ich Shaman
Pursuit in Canada
Counsel Toronto Murray Klippenstein, who represents Ms. Shock, believes that nothing justifies such a murder: "In northern Ontario, such a crime would automatically be punished by law. "He adds that Impunity in Guatemala is legendary and that consequently the appeal be heard in Canada. No similar pursuit, however, has been successful in Canada. Things could soon change however. NDP MP Peter Julian tabled a private bill to establish a process for prosecution in federal court when abuses occur outside Canada. HudBay Minerals The company says the lawsuit is without merit and denies any responsibility in the death of Adolfo Ich Chaman.
The Guatemalan police found the body of Carlos Mercedes Vazquez, a professional soccer player, dismembered and distributed in five plastic bags. The voice of law enforcement, Donald Gonzalez said that the remains of the player were found with a message explaining that he was killed because he had 's popular other women ". Gonzalez added that investigators were trying to determine if this is the real reason for the murder of Mercedes Vazquez, who played for Malacateco in first division soccer league in Guatemala. The body was found in the rural community of Malcatan, a day after the player was kidnapped while driving with two friends.
Hurricane Richard struck Sunday on the Belize, a small Central American country of Guatemala border, accompanied by heavy rains and winds, causing the evacuation of many tourists.
Approximately 10 000 people took refuge in shelters set up in churches and schools with the approach of the hurricane, which hit the south, near the main city in the country , Belize City. It is expected to lose strength in the day by advancing to neighboring Guatemala. According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, accompanied by Richard winds at 150 km / h, a Category 1 hurricane when it struck Belize on Sunday evening, 35 km south-southwest of Belize City. Main city in the country that concentrates one third of the population with 100,000 inhabitants, Belize City is composed of small wooden houses very vulnerable. No casualties had been reported so far, but the roads were flooded and some neighborhoods where the hurricane came near Belize City. Tourists were evacuated from the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, off Belize City.
Former officials of the Guatemalan state accused of involvement in extrajudicial killings of prisoners should be prosecuted and tried fairly, "said Amnesty International after the arrest in Spain, Wednesday, October 13, former Interior Minister Carlos Vielman.
He, along with former national director of police Erwin Sperisen, currently residing in Switzerland, and other former state officials are currently the subject of a judicial killings involving two prisons in Guatemala in 2005 and 2006. "These former state officials should be returned to Guatemala and brought to justice or be tried in their country of residence, in accordance with international standards of human rights" said Sebastian Elgueta, America specialist Central to Amnesty International. Carlos Vielman, Erwin Sperisen and other relevant persons are accused, among other offenses, involvement in the extrajudicial execution of prisoners who had escaped from prison in El Infiernito October 2005 and that of inmates of the prison in El Pavon in September 2006. Seven inmates had been killed during the operation Pavo Real, designed to regain control of the El Pavon prison.
At the time, the Minister of Interior and the police had said that the killings were committed during clashes with members of the prison. Yet a report by the Ombudsman for Human Rights of Guatemala published in December 2006 concluded that the victims had been slaughtered in the context of extrajudicial executions. "It is now time for the states in which Resident these people demonstrate their commitment to international standards on human rights " said Sebastian Elgueta. " If these crimes are not punished, impunity will prevail in Guatemala . "
The United States apologized for medical experiments
The United States has presented a public apology Friday for an experiment in the 1940s in Guatemala by federal physicians who deliberately infected with syphilis prisoners, women and the mentally ill .
The purpose of the experiment was to test the efficacy of penicillin, which is just beginning to be used. Prostitutes were involved in research to transmit the disease to prisoners. Tests were also conducted in insane asylums and barracks. "The study of inoculation of this sexually transmitted disease conducted from 1946 to 1948 in Guatemala was clearly unethical" declare Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, and Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health. "Although these events have occurred there over 64 years, we are outraged that research misconduct have also been conducted on behalf of public health. We deeply regret what happened and we apologize to present all those who have been affected by such hateful practices ", they added.
The experiment was conducted by Dr. John Cutler, of the Federal Health Service (PHS), through a program funded by the PHS, the National Institute of Health, the Pan American health issues and the Guatemalan government. Its existence was unveiled this year by Susan Reverby, who teaches at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. It is estimated that 696 men and women were exposed to the disease before receiving penicillin. "The study continued until 1948 and records suggest that despite the intentions, it is likely that not all have been healed" , says in a statement. Its findings will be published in January in the Journal of Policy History. It refers to the case of Tuskegee, another notorious medical experiment conducted in the 1960s on American blacks as doctors were exposed to syphilis without treatment and which was also attended by Dr. Cutler, who died in 2003. At this stage, it is unclear whether a compensation procedure for victims of Guatemala will be launched. It is not clear that the guinea pigs can be found, said Arturo Valenzuela, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
The motive remains to be determined in the murder of Victor Hugo Juárez, entrepreneur and leader of both online media Wanima News and Guatemala Empresarial. Former daily newspaper Siglo XXI "and" Nuestro Diario, "the journalist was found dead September 27, 2010, with his friend Byron Dávila Díaz, the latter's home. According to the agency Cerigua who reported the information, both men showed signs of abuse and strangulation.
Even if the track does not seem professional privileged, we ask that it be operated as part of the investigation. Guatemala, in 2010 despite a less bloody than the previous ones for the profession, remains a risk country for journalists.
The professional track must, however, be privileged in the investigation into the theft of computer equipment and documents found on Sept. 28, at the home of Marvin David Del Cid, the daily "elPeriódico" . The journalist was investigating alleged irregularities particularly attributed to the government in a contract for purchase of arms, a case of corruption that involve the Solidarity Fund and, moreover, a case of drug trafficking.
Grab subjects like this can cost a media professional. Del Cid had already suffered a burglary June 24 A threatening message - "You're gonna die" - was then placed on the mirror of his bathroom. Reporters Without Borders calls on the authorities to ensure adequate protection.
Seven people were killed in Caracas, in flooding caused by Tropical Storm Matthew, announced the emergency services in Venezuela. Matthew made landfall Friday in Central America. After touching Nicaragua and Honduras, Matthew was hit Saturday night southern Belize and Guatemala, Sunday and Peninsula Yucatan in southeastern Mexico. Some 10,000 residents of the area north of the Carib coast were evacuated, all airports in the area suspended their operations until Saturday noon.
El Salvador Guatemala prohibits the maras, Guatemala fears a flight of just killers
The all new law banning Salvadoran maras, gangs feared members tattooed from head to toe, creates skepticism of judicial circles and concerned neighbors, who fear a flight of offenders to their territory. "Those who join such a band shall be punished by 4 to 6 years in prison, organizers or leaders of 7 to 10 years" , said the decree implementing the new law, effective Sunday.
Crime is soaring in El Salvador, with an average of 13 murders a day and numerous armed robberies committed by gang members. The Mara 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, the gang's most famous, were born in the 80 districts in the "Latino" Los Angeles, then the phenomenon has spread to Central America with the expulsion of hundreds of young U.S. States to their countries of origin. Although 7,000 of their members are in jail, they could always rely on 9000 20 000 men recruited disaffected youth in poor neighborhoods, according to the Salvadoran police. "Maras", short for "marabunta", a carnivorous Amazonian ant, are also tens of thousands of members in the United States, Honduras and Guatemala. In El Salvador, the Mara 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, involved in drug trafficking and weapons, extortion and kidnapping, also showed off their weight at the beginning of the month by blocking for three days to try public transport prevent the enactment of the law interdisant.Le Attorney for Human Rights, Oscar Luna, but in perspective the impact of this text, by calling the authorities not to give "false hopes" about its effectiveness.
Ci-cons in photo: Oscar Coronado, a member of the gang Mara 18, during his trial in Guatemala, September 16, 2010.
The two neighboring countries, Guatemala and Honduras, they do not hide their concern.
"We will not let the thugs in El Salvador using Honduras as summer camp or come in spa" , said Monday the Honduran Minister of Security, Oscar Alvarez. Of "special units" are on alert at the border, he added. Guatemala also strengthens the controls at the border of El Salvador, especially since it has much to do with Mexican gangs. "We are full of Zetas, they began to settle in Guatemala in 2004 and the trend intensified in 2007" says the president, Alvaro Colom, in an interview with Mexican newspaper La Jornada. The Zetas, created in Mexico in the late 90s by deserters from elite troops of the army and held responsible for the recent massacre of 72 illegal immigrants near the U.S. border, are "already managed to control four regions" Guatemala, Colom says. Two regions, however, were "recovered" by the government, "he adds. "We have 47 in our prisons, some Guatemalans, the majority Mexican , says he.
The Mexican cartels have long established their "relay" through Central America, natural crossing point for cocaine produced in Colombia and mainly consumed primarily in the United States.
Guatemala, one of the most violent countries in Latin America, has recorded a total of 2,132 murders committed between January and August, according to a report published by the Humanitarian Association of Mutual Aid Group (GAM). During these eight months, 1,812 men, 277 women and 43 children were killed, details the report that the month of January was the most violent with 354 murders. Guatemala City, holds the record with 1,649 killed.
"Guatemala is facing a difficult situation: violence, insecurity, mismanagement of public funds and the phenomena climate contribute to the increase of fear in the population ", the report says. The report, based on the facts in the press, also reported 136 cases of lynching, in which 27 people were killed and 109 others injured. With an average of 18 killed every day, Guatemala is considered one of the most violent countries in Latin America.
President of Guatemala, Álvaro Colom, concerned that the toll could yet become drowsy. Alejandro Maldonado, Secretary attached to the National Disaster Prevention (Conred) stated that 12% of the land was prone to landslides. Colom told he would renew the state of disaster at national level. "It was a weekend of tragedy for the country" said President Guatemala.
"He had not much more since 1949 " said Eddy Sanchez, director of the Institute of Seismology of Vulcanolgie, Meteorology and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH or Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanologia, Meteorología e Hidrología).
rains have caused overflowing of rivers in the northeast and southwest of the country and landslides on the roadside. "
Guatemala is in a state of "calamity" since the passage of Agatha and the eruption of the volcano Pacaya. The country has faced extensive destruction since May, including the destruction of 13 bridges.
- Smog: "Blood flow" Album: Dongs of SEVOTA, 2000 - The Upsetters : "The Vampire", 1969 - Gravediggaz: "2 cups of blood" Album: 6 Feet Deep, 1994 - Hot Blood : "Soul Dracula", 1975 - Los Dandies "Dracula cha cha cha", 196? : link - William S. Fisher : "Bat Bi Hiru Lau" Album: Akelarre, 1972 : link - John Zacherley : "Dinner with Drac" Album: The Cool Ghoul, 1958: link - Alain Kan: "Dracula" Album: Happily in France we do not take drugs, 1976: link - Christine Pilzer : "Dracula," 1966: link - Nelson Riddle: "To the Batmobile" Album: Batman - 66 'TV soundtrack, 1966: link - Snoop Dog : "Batman & Robin" Album: Paid Tha Cost, 2002
The People's Bank Occitan was created in October 31, 2006 through the merger of two big banks, they are leaders in the banking sector who are Banque Populaire Occitane and the People's Bank Toulouse Pyrenees.
is despite despite the merger with the People's Bank Occitan -minded mutual retains a set of products and services as useful and practical, with exceptional benefits tariff.
The People's Bank Occitan created by two institutions in good financial and trade situation and they have a very large geographical dimension and to become closer to its customers, Banque Populaire Occitane to this merger in France to allow customers access a wide range of banking services and talk with counselors banking in France through the channel of your choi and the smaller cost.
The People's Bank Occitan she made a big expansion of its activities has expanded its markets including credit consommaion the bank revolving credit, car loan, and especially real estate offices in Toulouse GA confident ay Group's project management support a major program: the realization of 40000 sq rental offices on the outskirts of Toulouse .
The People's Bank Occitan offers a multitude of banking products and services or financial and insurance to a large clientele of individuals, artisans, shopkeepers, farmers, businesses and banks and financial institutions. The People's Bank Occitan has implemented a rigid and strong service based on strong organic growth and targeted acquisitions of long term partners.
The bank Occitan is a popular independent bank it active in all aspects of bancassurance in a close relationship with their customers
It allows you to access a wide range of banking services of the People's Bank Occitan
a. Services by phone
b. Consult your financial accounts of the Banque Populaire Occitane (24h/24h, 7d/7d): balances, recent transactions ...
c. request for information: bank branch network Occitan People, products and services, loans by phone simulations
d. access to the emergency department: development opposition means of payment (check, checkbook, bank card)
e. banking: control card or checkbook in the offices of the bank People Occitan , transfers between accounts or to a third party beneficiary in France transfer between accounts abroad (France / abroad)
f. Refill prepaid card
g. The international cards: change of horizon freely!
You want to travel peacefully enjoying a valid means of payment worldwide? Simplify your life with international credit cards the bank popular Occitan to access another dimension of services.
- MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL
a trump card to make purchases from merchants affiliated with the system MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL and still have cash available, anywhere in the world! Just a convertible euro account and benefit from a general or specific authorization of the foreign exchange bureau.
- map emergence
the People's Bank Occitan emergence card offers you have an internationally valid credit card that gives you access to many services across the network and VISA INTERNATIONAL? If you own a convertible euro account and get a general or specific authorization of the Office of Exchange.
- Pass Card
Enjoy an international VISA card secured by a PIN, valid in France and abroad. Activated within 24 hours for use abroad within your staffing tourist without having to hold currency accounts in euros or convertible.
pass card with the People's Bank of Occitan , navigate easily to a service international dimension.
