Topic: Beltran-Leyva Cartel

16-year-old Mexican hit man, 'El Nino,' linked to 50 murders

A 16-year-old confessed to Mexican police that he took part in executions while working for a drug cartel.

Latin America Monitor Thousands flee Mexico's epicenter of marijuana and poppy production

A Mexican human rights NGO says close to 25,000 people have been displaced from Sinaloa state due to fighting between drug cartels over the past several months, according to InSight Crime.

Latin America Monitor Mexico cartels stronger than ever?

Recent report says Mexico's cartels are more powerful than they were when Calderón came to office, but this overlooks the fracturing of larger gangs, writes guest blogger Patrick Corcoran.

Killing of top Mexico drug lord 'Tony Tormenta' may boost rival Zetas cartel

Antonio Ezequiel Cardenas Guillen, also known as 'Tony Tormenta,' the highest-profile leader of the powerful Gulf Cartel, was gunned down by Mexican government forces this weekend.

Sergio Villarreal Barragan: Capture of “El Grande” helps Mexico's president

The 2nd capture of a high level suspected drug lord in two weeks - this time Sergio Villarreal Barragan, alias “El Grande” - again boosts Mexican President Felipe Calderón.

Felipe Calderón marks four years of reform efforts stymied by Mexico drug war

The tenure of President Felipe Calderón, who is preparing to give his fourth state of the union address, has been marked by the brutal Mexico drug war and political infighting that's stymied reform.

La Barbie: from football star to feared drug lord

La Barbie, whose real name is Edgar Valdez Villarreal, was a Texas football star before he moved to Mexico City and joined the Sinaloa Cartel.

In Mexico, skepticism that arrest of Edgar Valdez Villarreal – 'La Barbie' – will stem drug trade

Mexican officials arrested Edgar Valdez Villarreal – known as 'La Barbie' – an alleged senior leader in a drug trafficking cartel. That's good news for President Calderón, but there's skepticism it will make a dent in growing drug violence.

Edgar Valdez Villarreal – suspected drug lord 'La Barbie' – arrested in Mexico

Edgar Valdez Villarreal, nicknamed 'La Barbie,' was arrested by Mexican authorities in an operation Monday near Mexico City. He is alleged to be a top player in the brutal Beltran Leyva Cartel.

Cancun mayor Gregorio Sanchez's arrest: A case of biased law enforcement?

This week's arrest of Cancun mayor Gregorio Sanchez, who was running for governor, is prompting accusations that Mexico's President Felipe Calderon is targeting opposition party officials in his war against corruption and drug cartels. What does the record show?

Mexico captures 'El Teo,' top drug trafficker in Tijuana

The capture of alleged Tijuana drug trafficker Teodoro “El Teo” Garcia Simental marks the third high-profile take-down of a Mexican drug trafficker in less than a month. He is considered among the most vicious traffickers in the country.

Mexican drug lord: Why Arturo Beltran Levya's death matters

The death of Mexico's top drug lord gives President Calderon a much-need victory in his three-year old strategy of using the Mexican military to attack drug-trafficking cartels, say analysts.

Arturo Beltran Leyva: Mexico's top drug boss killed

In a raid Wednesday, Mexico police shot Arturo Beltran Leyva, the "boss of bosses," the top drug lord in the country. Beltran is the highest ranking figure taken down since President Felipe Calderon took office in 2006.

Briefing: How Mexico is waging war on drug cartels

Who are the most powerful cartels, what are the risks of using the military to confront them, and how much progress has Mexico made so far?

Drug war intrudes on Mexico's coastal resorts

The arrest of a top drug cartel chief in Cancún comes a week after a deadly shootout killed 16 alleged cartel members and two soldiers in Acapulco.

Bold prison break? Just another day in Mexico's drug war.

The freeing of more than 50 inmates at a state prison – allegedly by members of a drug cartel – garnered headlines worldwide.

World

Mexico, U.S. step up drug-war cooperation

A top operative of Mexico's infamous Sinaloa cartel was arrested Monday.