CJNG and Los Zetas clashing for Guanajuato:DEA

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Milenio article and Google Maps

[ Subject Matter: Zetas, CJNG, Knights Templar, CDG
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Only in Irapuato is there a presence of KT and in Salamanca the CDG, indicates the DEA

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Reporter: Sofia Negrete

The most recent report of the DEA establishes that Los Zetas and the CJNG have divided the State of Guanajuato. It also indicates that only in two municipalities there is the presence of other organized crime groups: in Irapuato they are the Knight Templar and in Salamanca the Cartel del Golfo.

The document elaborates on the strategic intelligence of the DEA and denominates Mexico: actualization of the evaluation of major drugs trafficking, areas of the organizations that dominate control, it also details how the cartels operate in national territory.



According to a map, of which Milenio had a copy, the presence of Los Zetas in Guanajuato has credence. Their domination extends to more than half of the municipalities that share borders with San Luis Potosi, like San Luis de la Paz, Victoria, Xichu, Atarjea, they almost control San Diego de la Union and have gained territory in Dolores Hidalgo.

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Also along the frontiers with Queretaro, the State of Mexico and part of Michoacán. There they are in the towns of Tierra Blanca, Santa Catarina, Doctor Mora, San Jose Iturbide, a large part of San Miguel de Allende, Comonfort, Apaseo El Grande, Apasea El Alto, Jerecuaro, Coroneo, Tarandacuao, Acambaro, Salvatierra and part of Santiago Maravatio.

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Los Zetas also have a presence in Salvatierra, Tarimoro, Cortazar, Jueventino Rosas, and Celaya. Also they have gained territory in Jaral del Progreso, Salamanca and Villagran.

This criminal group, according to the DEA, control percent by percent, the States of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Tabasco, Campeche, a large part of Veracruz and more than half of San Luis Potosi, that they contest with the CJNG and the CDG.

In all, the CJNG extended their presence into the municipalities of the
State that have a border with Jalisco territory, like Leon, Ocampo, San Francisco de Rincon, Purisima, Ciudad Manuel Doblado, Silao, Romita and Cueramaro.

It has gained territory in San Diego de la Union, Dolores Hidalgo, Irapuato, Salamanca, Villagran, Jaral del Progreso, Santiago Maravatio, Salvatierra, Juevntino Rosas and San Miguel de Allende; also they dominate the towns of the border they have with Michoacán, like Penjamo, Huanimaro, Abasolo, Valle de Santiago, Yuiria, Moroleon and Uriangato.

Also they have control in Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, a large part of Michoacán and the zone South of San Luis Potosi. They have also gained presence in Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas.

The DEA report explains that leadership losses of the cartel La Familia Michoacana and the Knights Templar in the last year have been degraded significantly in their ability and operative capacity and cohesion in Mexico territory.

They are a case contrary to that of the CJNG who have achieved expansion. The document explains that this criminal group " utilizes their alliances and exploits the weaknesses of rival cartels to make new territories".

"This cartel finds itself in a privileged position to augment their drug trafficking operations, their wealth and influence in Mexico continues to grow".

Original article in Spanish at Milenio