Mexican authorities catch drug cartel boss

MEXICO CITY

Mexican authorities have captured Los Zetas drug cartel member and faction leader Jose Maria Guizar, also known as “Z43”, two security sources said on Feb. 8.

The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $5 million for information that would lead to his capture. On its website it describes Guizar as the commander of his own faction of the violent Los Zetas in the south of Mexico.

“Guizar is responsible for the importation of thousands of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine to the United States on a yearly basis,” the website says.

Guizar, an American citizen, has been charged in drug trafficking indictments in Texas and Viriginia.

Authorities in Mexico’s Gulf coast state of Veracruz announced charges on Feb. 8 of “forced disappearance” against 19 current or former state police officials and officers, saying they kidnapped and killed 15 innocent civilians.

Veracruz Gov. Miguel Angel Yunes said the victims included two women and two minors, and the alleged perpetrators reached to very top of the police structure.

Veracruz has been the scene of grisly police kidnap-killings before but in the cases announced on Feb. 7, state police officials and their subordinate officers were apparently working for gangs or drug cartels, Yunes said.

The crimes occurred during the 2010-2016 administration of former Gov. Javier Duarte, who himself is in prison facing corruption charges, and his predecessor.