Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10TIJUANA16
2010-01-08 01:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Tijuana
Cable title:
ANOTHER SERIES OF SHOOTING INCIDENTS NEAR US CONGEN TIJUANA
how-toVZCZCXRO2980 PP RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS DE RUEHTM #0016/01 0080103 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 080103Z JAN 10 FM AMCONSUL TIJUANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9703 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 6651 INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE RUEHTM/AMCONSUL TIJUANA 2499
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIJUANA 000016
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS, CA, DS/IP/WHA, DS/TIA/PII, AND MEXICO CITY
FOR RSO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM SNAR MX CASC PINS PTER
SUBJECT: ANOTHER SERIES OF SHOOTING INCIDENTS NEAR US CONGEN TIJUANA
REF: A) TIJUANA 1275; B) TIJUANA 1144
TIJUANA 00000016 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIJUANA 000016
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS, CA, DS/IP/WHA, DS/TIA/PII, AND MEXICO CITY
FOR RSO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM SNAR MX CASC PINS PTER
SUBJECT: ANOTHER SERIES OF SHOOTING INCIDENTS NEAR US CONGEN TIJUANA
REF: A) TIJUANA 1275; B) TIJUANA 1144
TIJUANA 00000016 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) SUMMARY AND CG COMMENT: Tijuana's latest wave of
violence (reftels) continues, with a number of fresh
assassinations of individuals apparently tied to the two main
organized crime cartels. The Baja Attorney General told CG on
January 7 that there is no sign that the renewed intra-cartel
war is abating, but he affirmed that the government security
services at all levels are working in crisis mode to reestablish
order. One disturbing new trend appears to be willingness of
the cartels to target family members. Following is a spot
report from the Congen's EAC. END SUMMARY AND CG COMMENT.
2. (U) On January 5, 2010, Post's Emergency Action Committee
(EAC) was convened to discuss two incidents of shooting near the
U.S. Consulate General (USCG) which occurred the previous
afternoon. EAC participants included CG, CONS, RSO, DEA,
DHS-ICE, MGT, PAO, and ATF.
3. (SBU) On 01/04/10, departing staff members saw police units
and road blockage at close of business due to two separate
exchanges of gunfire in Mission residence neighborhoods.
Mission personnel were not involved in the shooting incidents,
but they occurred within a few blocks of where Mission personnel
work and live, and hindered travel to Mission residential areas
throughout the evening.
4. (SBU) U.S. Consulate General Tijuana's Law Enforcement
Working Group (LEWG) informed the EAC that on 01/04/2010 at
about 1700 hours, an exchange of gunfire in the streets in front
of a popular Lomas Hipodromo shopping area (Soriano grocery
store),left one victim dead in his vehicle. This drive-by
shooting was within blocks of several Mission residences, about
one-half mile from the Consulate main building. The target was
allegedly connected to a drug cartel, shot and killed by rival
cartel hit-men. Responsive police activity presence in the area
slowed traffic for staff members leaving the Consulate, who
observed the victim's bullet-riddled vehicle and significant
police presence during their evening commute.
5. (SBU) The second shooting incident occurred within an hour
about one mile away, injuring Josi Fernando Labastida Fimbres, a
member of one of Tijuana's most prominent families (Fimbres
family owns the Calimax grocery store chain). The victim died
within a short time in a local hospital. This second shooting
occurred on Merida street, a few blocks from the Principal
Officer's residence (CGR),and within one-half mile of the
Consulate main building. This route between the Consulate and
the CGR was totally blocked for police investigation for more
than an hour, requiring alternate routing of local guard mobile
patrols.
6. (SBU) The two shootings of 01/04/10 were on opposite sides
of the Consulate main building, so two separate Mission
residence neighborhoods were impacted at the same time. That
day, eight violent homicides were reported in Tijuana within a
three hour period. LEWG informed the EAC that in the last few
days, Tijuana has seen increased crime activity. Heavily armed
police presence around the U.S. Consulate is visible and
frequent, due to rival cartels targeting victims residing in the
area.
7. (SBU) LEWG discussed with the EAC that the crime wave that
has hit Tijuana in the last two months is due to a battle
between organized crime cells. Reportedly "El Teo" and "El
Ingeniero" aligned groups are attacking family members of the
opposing cell as reprisals for prior deaths of group members.
Local police forces appear to have an attitude of heightened
alertness, and Post observes more police presence than usual.
8. (U) The recent spike in crime shows no signs of slowing.
Since the EAC convened, additional drive-by shootings, murders,
and a beheading have been reported throughout the city,
TIJUANA 00000016 002.2 OF 002
including three minor children killed by a La Mesa district
school on 01/06/10. In the morning of 01/07/10, gunfire erupted
next to the NIV (visa) Annex building, during a high-speed
police chase on the adjacent Via Rapida main road. The exchange
of gunfire forced one employee's vehicle off the road to avoid
the shooting. Although no employees were injured, that main
route was blocked by the NIV Annex for several hours by the
crashed suspects' car and police investigation. At the same
time, a separate police checkpoint near Mission residences
impeded access to that neighborhood near the Main Consulate
building. In the last 24 hours, several kidnappings have also
been reported nearby, including Tijuana Labor Secretary Josi
Agustin Caldersn. The Labor Secretary and spouse were kidnapped
from their home by an armed group dressed in police commando
type clothing, but were released late last night under unknown
circumstances.
9. (SBU) The EAC recommended Post personnel be advised of the
situation. By security notice, RSO informed staff of the
incidents and reminded all staff that Tijuana is rated as
"critical" for crime by the Department of State Security
Environment Threat List (SETL). The security notice reminded
that everyone should always be aware of their surroundings,
avoid conflict areas, vary routes, and practice good security
measures. All post personnel had attended mandatory crime
awareness and car-jacking avoidance training on 03/25/09
coordinated by RSO and provided by DS Mobile Security Training
team (DS/MSD). RSO in-briefing relays this information to new
arrivals to Post. RSO recommended to EAC that adult family
members should attend mandatory security in-briefing along with
newly posted officers. The training was relayed to local
contract guards and mobile patrol also by RSO and included in
their procedures.
10. (SBU) Tijuana's EAC will continue to monitor the any
developments. RSO and Post's law enforcement representatives
(LEWG) plan to monitor local contact information and local law
enforcement counterparts for sharing of any future crime or
threat information. For comments or questions, please contact
RSO at 011-52-664-622-7464.
UNCLASSIFIED
KASHKETT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS, CA, DS/IP/WHA, DS/TIA/PII, AND MEXICO CITY
FOR RSO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM SNAR MX CASC PINS PTER
SUBJECT: ANOTHER SERIES OF SHOOTING INCIDENTS NEAR US CONGEN TIJUANA
REF: A) TIJUANA 1275; B) TIJUANA 1144
TIJUANA 00000016 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) SUMMARY AND CG COMMENT: Tijuana's latest wave of
violence (reftels) continues, with a number of fresh
assassinations of individuals apparently tied to the two main
organized crime cartels. The Baja Attorney General told CG on
January 7 that there is no sign that the renewed intra-cartel
war is abating, but he affirmed that the government security
services at all levels are working in crisis mode to reestablish
order. One disturbing new trend appears to be willingness of
the cartels to target family members. Following is a spot
report from the Congen's EAC. END SUMMARY AND CG COMMENT.
2. (U) On January 5, 2010, Post's Emergency Action Committee
(EAC) was convened to discuss two incidents of shooting near the
U.S. Consulate General (USCG) which occurred the previous
afternoon. EAC participants included CG, CONS, RSO, DEA,
DHS-ICE, MGT, PAO, and ATF.
3. (SBU) On 01/04/10, departing staff members saw police units
and road blockage at close of business due to two separate
exchanges of gunfire in Mission residence neighborhoods.
Mission personnel were not involved in the shooting incidents,
but they occurred within a few blocks of where Mission personnel
work and live, and hindered travel to Mission residential areas
throughout the evening.
4. (SBU) U.S. Consulate General Tijuana's Law Enforcement
Working Group (LEWG) informed the EAC that on 01/04/2010 at
about 1700 hours, an exchange of gunfire in the streets in front
of a popular Lomas Hipodromo shopping area (Soriano grocery
store),left one victim dead in his vehicle. This drive-by
shooting was within blocks of several Mission residences, about
one-half mile from the Consulate main building. The target was
allegedly connected to a drug cartel, shot and killed by rival
cartel hit-men. Responsive police activity presence in the area
slowed traffic for staff members leaving the Consulate, who
observed the victim's bullet-riddled vehicle and significant
police presence during their evening commute.
5. (SBU) The second shooting incident occurred within an hour
about one mile away, injuring Josi Fernando Labastida Fimbres, a
member of one of Tijuana's most prominent families (Fimbres
family owns the Calimax grocery store chain). The victim died
within a short time in a local hospital. This second shooting
occurred on Merida street, a few blocks from the Principal
Officer's residence (CGR),and within one-half mile of the
Consulate main building. This route between the Consulate and
the CGR was totally blocked for police investigation for more
than an hour, requiring alternate routing of local guard mobile
patrols.
6. (SBU) The two shootings of 01/04/10 were on opposite sides
of the Consulate main building, so two separate Mission
residence neighborhoods were impacted at the same time. That
day, eight violent homicides were reported in Tijuana within a
three hour period. LEWG informed the EAC that in the last few
days, Tijuana has seen increased crime activity. Heavily armed
police presence around the U.S. Consulate is visible and
frequent, due to rival cartels targeting victims residing in the
area.
7. (SBU) LEWG discussed with the EAC that the crime wave that
has hit Tijuana in the last two months is due to a battle
between organized crime cells. Reportedly "El Teo" and "El
Ingeniero" aligned groups are attacking family members of the
opposing cell as reprisals for prior deaths of group members.
Local police forces appear to have an attitude of heightened
alertness, and Post observes more police presence than usual.
8. (U) The recent spike in crime shows no signs of slowing.
Since the EAC convened, additional drive-by shootings, murders,
and a beheading have been reported throughout the city,
TIJUANA 00000016 002.2 OF 002
including three minor children killed by a La Mesa district
school on 01/06/10. In the morning of 01/07/10, gunfire erupted
next to the NIV (visa) Annex building, during a high-speed
police chase on the adjacent Via Rapida main road. The exchange
of gunfire forced one employee's vehicle off the road to avoid
the shooting. Although no employees were injured, that main
route was blocked by the NIV Annex for several hours by the
crashed suspects' car and police investigation. At the same
time, a separate police checkpoint near Mission residences
impeded access to that neighborhood near the Main Consulate
building. In the last 24 hours, several kidnappings have also
been reported nearby, including Tijuana Labor Secretary Josi
Agustin Caldersn. The Labor Secretary and spouse were kidnapped
from their home by an armed group dressed in police commando
type clothing, but were released late last night under unknown
circumstances.
9. (SBU) The EAC recommended Post personnel be advised of the
situation. By security notice, RSO informed staff of the
incidents and reminded all staff that Tijuana is rated as
"critical" for crime by the Department of State Security
Environment Threat List (SETL). The security notice reminded
that everyone should always be aware of their surroundings,
avoid conflict areas, vary routes, and practice good security
measures. All post personnel had attended mandatory crime
awareness and car-jacking avoidance training on 03/25/09
coordinated by RSO and provided by DS Mobile Security Training
team (DS/MSD). RSO in-briefing relays this information to new
arrivals to Post. RSO recommended to EAC that adult family
members should attend mandatory security in-briefing along with
newly posted officers. The training was relayed to local
contract guards and mobile patrol also by RSO and included in
their procedures.
10. (SBU) Tijuana's EAC will continue to monitor the any
developments. RSO and Post's law enforcement representatives
(LEWG) plan to monitor local contact information and local law
enforcement counterparts for sharing of any future crime or
threat information. For comments or questions, please contact
RSO at 011-52-664-622-7464.
UNCLASSIFIED
KASHKETT