El Centro

Associated Press reports "U.S. law enforcement officials expressed outrage over the release from prison of Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero". AP and news links.

Mexican Cartels Hiring US Soldiers as Hit Men - Joseph J. Kolb, Fox News.

How Caribbean Organized Crime is Replacing the State by Lillian Bobea, InSight Crime. "In Caribbean countries criminal groups have established clear-cut alliances with political parties and sectors of the state."

Los Zetas’ ‘Way of Combat’ by Antonio Sampaio at Kings of War. "Los Zetas’ strategic thinking remains a powerful influence over criminal actors."

On the Arrest of Mexican Drug Kingpin Z-40 - Houston Chronicle Op-Ed by SWJ El Centro Fellow Nathan Jones.

This tactical note was prompted by discussions and inquiries related to the February 2013 Los Zetas sniper incident.

Ruthless Mexican Drug Cartel Recruiting in the U.S.; Los Zetas Looks to Prisons, Street Gangs by Jerry Seper, Washington Times.

Cartel violence is bleeding into the Pacific Northwest.

This second Small Wars Journal-El Centro anthology captures the important debate on the crime wars and criminal insurgencies taking place in Mexico and other regions of the Americas.

Gulf Cartel Attorney Gunned Down in Southlake, Texas, Borderland Beat.

The use of caltrops by Mexican cartels in Texas.

When a state is unable to maintain its monopoly on violence, power-vacuums inevitably arise.

An important article in yesterday's NY Times by Randal Archibold, Damien Cave, and Ginger Thompson. 

Singer Jesus “Chuy” Quintanilla is the latest in a string of balladeers and musicians to be killed in Mexico’s drug war.  This time the killing occurred in Texas.

SWJ contributor John Bertetto provides tips for bringing down criminal organizations with organizational analysis.

An offering from Viridiana Rios and SWJ El Centro Fellow Stephen Dudley.