JALISCO VIOLENCE CONTINUES WITH GRENADE ATTACK TARGETING

UNCLAS GUADALAJARA 000101 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC MX CASC SUBJECT: JALISCO VIOLENCE CONTINUES WITH GRENADE ATTACK TARGETING GUADALAJARA POLICE REF: GUADALAJARA 92 ¶1. (SBU) The recent increase in violent activity within Guadalajara's consular district continued over the past weekend with a series of significant incidents. While there is still no indication that any of the violence is specifically targeting American citizens nor American interests of any kind, the aggressive tactics and weaponry targeting host country law enforcement within the city limits of Guadalajara is of concern. As reported in reftel, Guadalajara's Emergency Action Committee reached a consensus last week that the security posture of the U.S. Consulate remains appropriate. ¶2. (U) On the evening of March 11th, 2009 Guadalajara police attempted to stop a 1990 pickup truck for a routine traffic check. However the suspects did not obey instructions to pull over and tried to evade the patrol car. The suspects were apprehended following a high speed pursuit and local authorities confiscated a 9mm handgun and a G-3 rifle found in the vehicle. The Jalisco State Attorney General's office questioned both suspects and subsequently located more weapons stored at three different addresses, mainly in the Huentitan area which is approximately 15 miles from the Consulate. Authorities stated publicly that the suspects may belong to the "Zetas" drug cartel. Included in the now confiscated arsenals were five AR15 rifles, two 9mm handguns, two .12 gauge shotguns, one RPG launcher, ten ballistic vests, six .40 cal grenades, two "fragment" type grenades, numerous boxes of ammunition for the following calibers, 9mm, 7.62, .308, and .223. In addition to the weapons found, various detachable magnetic logos for local telephone and electric companies were found (Telmex, Telcel, CFE). Police believe these logos could be easily attached to the individuals' vehicles, to help the suspects pass disguised through military and police checkpoints. The investigation is ongoing. ¶3. (SBU) On Saturday, March 14, 2009 at approximately 2:00AM, two Guadalajara Police Department (GPD) officers were the targets of a fragmentation grenade attack launched while the officers were parked in their patrol car at a convenience store located in Calzada Independencia, Norte and Calle Monte Calvario, approximately 15 miles from the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara. The attacker launched the fragmentation grenade, which fell and exploded in a window flower box, however the officers who were in the parking lot in their patrol car were not injured. The store, a car and a phone booth were damaged by the explosion, there were however no casualties. The suspect was arrested as he tried to flee the scene and later identified as Guillermo Garcia ANTONIO Izquierdo, 25, originally from Tabasco, Mexico. Subsequent to the arrest of ANTONIO Izquierdo, utilizing information obtained during the arrest, officers entered a building located near the Medical West Center in Guadalajara. Inside the building were two Silverado trucks, which contained three duffle bags. The bags contained yet another significant arsenal including another 12 grenades, 40 caliber pistol, 15 fragmentation grenades, two G-3 rifles, three AK-47 rifles, five AR-15 rifles, two of them equipped with grenade launchers, six 9-mm pistols, a .223 caliber weapon, and two M-16 rifles. ¶4. (SBU) It is worth noting that the location of the grenade attack is approximately 1.5 miles from the Guadalajara Zoo which is visited by many USG employees and their family members on a regular basis. However, no American citizens nor any USG employees were affected by this particular attack due to the early morning hours of the incident. ¶5. (U) Guadalajara's EAC will continue to monitor the situation and all members will remain in close contact with their local U.S. and Mexican contacts in the meantime. For comments or questions, please contact RSO David Nelson at 52-33-3268-2107. RAMOTOWSKI