Senior Seminar in Intelligence Analysis

Los Zetas the Mexican Drug Cartel

Introduction2

Discussion3

OVERALL THREAT ASSESSMENT3

HISTORY4

MEMBERSHIP/LEADERSHIP5

STRUCTURE/ORGANIZATION6

CURRENT GOAL/MOTIVATION8

TACTICS/CAPABILITIES9

FUNDING/CONNECTIONS11

LOCATION/SCOPE/MAGNITUDE12

COUNTERING THE THREAT13

End Notes15

Los Zetas the Mexican Drug Cartel

Introduction

Los Zetas is the most violent criminal gang existed in Mexican Boundary. The government of United States considered it as the most advanced, dangerous, technical and threatening cartel in Mexico. Los Zetas are greatly equipped and well girded, unlike than normal criminal institutions and organizations in Mexico. It is consisted on a small structure command. Senior hierarchy handles the operation level which is used to help and maintain its associations through small cell networking. To gain the level of independence on action and movement is the primary objective of the private armies, political insurgents, and drug cartels like the Zetas which permits the accomplishment of the preferred fortification. The brutal methods of the Zetas were reviewed which were used to intimate their command over people, it can be seen that these were senseless and random acts of crime which have particular political - psychological objectives. After analyzing it closely, it can be understood that these aims are not being lost on the projected spectators. Experts and military strategists also believe that the cartel has been targeting the Mexican military for a number of years now. These experts also believe that Los Zetas has gained exceptional skills and expertise in carrying out attacks through sheer strategic plans just like trained military. This assignment is designed to cover the history of this gang, their operations in various states or countries, their leadership and management skills, their capabilities, motivations and threats. Moreover, the paper will also present a strategy for countering the threat of Los Zetas which can enable the U.S government for maintaining security and stability.

Discussion

OVERALL THREAT ASSESSMENT

The high intensity of crime is not broken out in the U.S by the result of cartel war in Mexico, and its existence in the Mexican boundary certainly affects the U.S. The toxicity of competitive illegal market embraces the U.S, and the logical corporate cartels threat numerous U.S national concerns. However, the geographic distribution of both countries could not help but reflect the darkness of geo criminality over the U.S. The association between Mexico and United States cannot be devalued and nor potential danger can be generated. Around 87% of products get manufactured in Mexico and traveled from the 6 states in the geo criminal heartland of the cartels. It cannot be ignored that cartels are violet entrepreneurs and they exercise under the civil society for destabilizing governmental processes and institutions and also to break the laws. This action takes place in the states and cities of the heartland and the United States interest in organizing Mexico can secure and contribute to the prosperity of U.S, which are now jeopardized. The National Security Strategy of President Obama focused on the security and stability in Mexico as indispensable. Mexican cartels hire groups and individuals of enforcers, which are called as sicarios. José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos, Mexico's Deputy Attorney General for Organized Crime, postulated in August 2006 ...