"La 72" Mexican Immigrant Refuge Home Activists Facing Death Threats In Tabasco

Photo courtesy of Radio Zapatista

The Immigrant Refuge House "La 72" filed a complaint with the Mexican federal government for a lack of action to protect and provide military security against criminal organizations operating the undocumented immigrant travel routes in Tenosique, Tabasco.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 14, 2013

Tenosique, Tabasco, Mexico - On Monday, Franciscan Father Tomás González Castillo announced that a complaint was filed (PGR/TAB/TEN/206/D/2013) with the Mexican Federal Attorney General's Office (PGRF) by the Immigrant Refuge House "La 72" in Tenosique. Father Castillo in the complaint is holding the federal, state and local governments and authorities responsible for the safety or deaths of anyone associated with La 72 and undocumented immigrants. Father Castillo, an immigrant and human rights activist says, they have requested protection and assistance from the Mexican military, federal, state and local authorities for La 72 workers, volunteers and immigrants using the refuge house during their journey to the U.S. 

Mexican government officials have been made aware of the dangerous situation and criminal activity in Tenosique for years and yet very little has been done by the authorities and the current Mexican President Peña Nieto administration. The government and its officials have done very little to provide security in the area and their lack of action can only mean that they might be involved or in collusion with the criminal organizations in control of the area. "We can not continue or get accustom to living in constant threat and criminal activity," Castillo stated in a news release. The elected officials and government must be held accountable too, according to Father Castillo. Castillo also called for public solidarity to help confront the insecurity Tenosique is facing today.  

Recently, a caravan or group of mothers representing missing undocumented immigrants from Central and South America visited La 72 refuge house to seek help in trying to locate their reported missing sons, husbands and daughters.

So far between March 2-4, the lives of the workers,, volunteers at La 72 refuge home and Rubén Figueroa from the MesoAmerican Migrant Movement were threaten by known members of a criminal organization (COZ) associated with Los Zetas. Figueroa, Father Castillo and a handful of La 72 volunteers have been providing food and temporary shelter for undocumented immigrants traveling through Tenosique. Figueroa can be found at La 72 helping immigrants during several seasons of the year.

Tenosique in a major travel point where thousands of immigrants catch a freight train to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz on their way (route) through Mexico and the U.S. border. The train (bestia/beast) is known as the "Death Train or Tren de la Muerte." 

COZ have taken over the immigrant travel routes around Tenosique and charge an equivalent $100 to $300 U.S. dollars to jump on the freight train. Once the immigrants reach Coatzacoalcos in the state of Veracruz, they must pay the quota. The COZ's are based in Veracruz.

Some immigrants have been thrown from the moving train by criminals, if they fail or have no money to pay the quota. Once they reach Veracruz, most likely there is a good chance the immigrants can reach the U.S. border.

Members of COZ manage the travel arrangements and secure protection for the immigrants and constantly give updated reports to their criminal organization. It's become a multimillion dollar operation for the COZ.

The Tenosique area and routes has become a lawless territory where the COZ members kidnap immigrants for ransom, armed robberies occur, women get violated and raped, extortion is prevalent, where hundreds of immigrants have disappeared and murdered. Tenosique is also close to the Petén jungle region on the Guatemala border where legal and illegal merchandise, including drugs get smuggled into Mexico.

La 72 immigrant refuge house had to ban known members of the COZ from infiltrating the refuge home in order to keep the undocumented immigrants from falling victims of organized crime. The COZ has stationed lookouts (halcones) to spy on La 72 human rights activities, according to Father Castillo.

In early January, a complete file of information and testimony by victims of the illicit organized criminal activity was made available to authorities to expose what is taking place at the Tenosique immigrant travel routes. The Tenosique criminal activity information was provided to the State of Tabasco Attorney General's Office, including the PGRF; Tabasco's Governor Arturo Núñez; Carlos Alberto Vega Celorio, Mayor of Tenosique;  Mexican military zone 38 General Rígoberto García and his staff; members of the Tobasco South Frontier Commission and to Federal Senators, Layda Sanores and Ana Gabriela.

Father Castillo and human rights activists are also expected to meet with Raúl Ojeda Zubieta, the Secretary of Government in Tabasco about the current situation involving criminal activity and the risk to public safety that is taking place in the area.

Father Castillo also stated, that in July 2011, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) made recommendations about security measures to be undertaken, but nothing was ever implemented and the human rights case was closed. Information about the NCHR recommendations was also requested from the InterAmerican Commission of Human Rights and no action has been taken either.

The Mexican Secretary of Government (Segob) was also requested to provide protection and security for human rights activists and journalists in the area, but no action has been taken by the Segob.

"La 72" Immigrant refuge House (Spanish version) link: Video

El Bestia (Beast/Tren de la Muerte/Death Train)

On April 25, 2011, La 72 Immigrant Refuge Home in Tenosique, Tabasco was renamed in memory of the 72 Central and South American immigrants killed at a ranch on late August 2010 near San Fernando, Tamaulipas.

Photos courtesy of La 72 Immigrant Refuge Home.

"47 percent" Video That Sealed Presidential Candidate Romney's Fate Released By Bartender

Scott Prouty

Bartender who taped Romney's "47 percent" video during fundraiser with wealthy donors comes clean.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 14, 2013

On Wednesday, Scott Prouty, a bartender of a catering company that was contracted for a private and exclusive Presidential candidate Mitt Romney fundraiser held by wealthy donors admitted during the Ed Show on MSNBC that he video taped Romney. Prouty told Ed Schultz that he believed it was his civic duty to release it.

The video exposed Romney criticizing the 47 percent of the population whom he said, were "dependent on government" and "believed they were victims."

Prouty's video went viral once it was released and most likely cost Romney the November Presidential election. Prouty said, he is an independent voter.

Cardinal Mario Bergoglio From Argentina Chosen As Catholic Pope

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis I

Pope Francis the First becomes the first Catholic Pope in 20 centuries to be chosen from South America. He is viewed as a reformer, an advocate for democracy and a pope who will be representing the poor. 

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 13, 2013

Vatican City, Rome, Italy - On Wednesday, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, of Buenos Aires, Argentina became Pope Francis the First after being elected as the 266 non-European Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis I became the first cardinal from South America to be selected as Pope in 20 centuries (nearly 1,300) and is seen as a reformer, an advocate for democracy and representing the poor.

Bergoglio received a total of 115 votes from cardinal electors, but only needed 77 votes to become pope. The Vatican pope twitter account tweeted "We have a pope, Francis."

French cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran announced from the Sistine Chapel at the St. Peter's Basilica Square the election of a new pope with the Latin words "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus Papam" ("I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope").

Pope Francis I appear before the people just over an hour after white smoke was first seen by Catholics at St. Peter's Square indicating a pope had been chosen. He told those waiting in the rain for hours, "Pray for Me."

Cardinal Bergoglio had one of his lungs removed due to an infection. He replaces his predecessor Benedict XVI, who resigned.

Bergoglio is the son of Italian parents that immigrated to Argentina. He became the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit pope in the 2,000 year history of the Catholic Church. 

He will represent 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, including 40 percent of Latinos in the Catholic Church and 78 million Hispanic Catholics in the U.S. 

As a reformer, Pope Francis is expected to appeal to a younger following and might get the church to move forward from the sex abuse scandal, lawsuits, internal Vatican bureaucracy infighting and financial crisis brought by years of coverup of its pedophile priests. 

Russian Website Posted Alleged Private Financial Information Of U.S. High Profile People

The Exposed website on the Internet posted private financial information about certain celebrities, public figures, Obama's appointees, including former Alaskan Governor Palin.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 13, 2013

Washington,  D.C. - The U.S. Government, including the Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation on how personal financial information was leaked and then posted on www.exposed.su on the Internet. So far, the Russian website Exposed had nearly 500K site visitors.

The site includes information of what is believed to be actual Social Security numbers of celebrities and high profile people that also includes, credit reports, phone numbers and other private or personal information about certain high profile people from the U.S. None of the high profile people named in the website have confirmed, if the financial information is authentic.

Some credit financial companies are saying some of their information might have been hacked, but wouldn't elaborate further.

Some of the high profile people include Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Mitt Romney, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Robert Mueller (FBI Director), Stacia Hylton (U.S. Marshals Service Director), Eric Holder Jr. (U.S. Attorney General), Tiger Woods, Sara Palin, Mel Gibson, Kim Kardashian, Jay Z, Beyonce, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and others. The website continues to update and posts information of other people.

If in fact, the financial information, including Social Security numbers of those posted are authentic, it would be illegal to post it on the website, according to the feds.

Nearly 6K Pig Carcasses Removed From Shanghai's Huangpu River

Some of the pig carcasses tested positive with PCV, a common virus for pigs, but harmless to humans.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 13, 2013

Shanghai, China - The Shanghai Municipal Agriculture Commission (SMAC) has confirmed that nearly 6,000 pig carcasses have been removed from the Shanghai Huangpu River by sanitation workers in the Songjiang district. Some of the pigs tested positive for Porcine Circovirus (PCV) disease,  which is not contagious to humans.

The pigs were discovered floating in the river last week and the removal of the carcasses continued through the weekend. SMAC believes that the carcasses originated from Jiaxing where large pig farms are located.

Perez-Guillermo Charged In Domestic Dispute Love Triangle Homicide

Luis Perez-Guillermo

Husband fatally shot wife's boyfriend during domestic violence incident.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 12, 2013

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday, police arrested Luis Perez-Guillermo,  49, and booked him at the Milwaukee County jail for murder. He was charged with two felony counts for first-degree intentional homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide, both charges included use of a dangerous weapon for the March 10 murder of Daniel Perez, 39. Perez was shot in the head at close range, according to police. A cash bond of $200,000 was set for Perez-Guillermo who is facing life in prison, if convicted of the charges. He is expected back in court for a preliminary hearing on March 25.

Police were called to a home at the 1900 block of S. 5th St. on Sunday night involving a domestic dispute shooting incident. Police found Perez' body inside the residence and the investigation led to Perez-Guillermo's arrest a short time later.

The criminal complaint states, that Perez-Guillermo admitted to police of attempting to shoot his wife, Teresa and that he killed Perez after the victim went to the home to help move Perez-Guillermo's wife and her kids out. Perez-Guillermo believed that Perez was his wife's boyfriend and shot him.

He heard his wife talking to Perez on the phone and then grabbed the phone and told Perez to come pick up "the garbage" referring to his wife.

Perez-Guillermo also tried to shoot his wife, but the gun misfired. Perez-Guillermo was then stabbed by his son multiple times. 

He then fled the scene on a red SUV, but crashed with a parked vehicle at the 1800 block of S. 13th St. A passerby called police and reported the accident after noticing Perez-Guillermo bleeding in the driver's seat. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and afterwards was arrested for Perez murder.

Gulf Cartel Gun Battle Ignites Between Members For Control Of Reynosa

Video (←click) by Reynosa residents record furious gunfight among member factions of the Gulf Cartel for control of the region.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 11, 2013

Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico - On Sunday, a furious gun battle between leaders and members of the Gulf Cartel (GC) ignited after one of the main leaders "M4" was gunned down. An internal feud among the GC members was reported by "Valor por Tamaulipas" (VT) Facebook page, which also posted a 15 minute video of the weekend gunfight taken by several residents from Reynosa caught in the middle of it.
Twitter users in the Reynosa area reported more than 50 to 120 killed and numerous people injured, since the internal fight between members of the GC started. The bodies were recovered by the GC. Then the corpses were dispose off.
Sunday's gunfight was first reported by postings on VT Facebook and Twitter users in the Reynosa vicinity. The first postings began around 7:00 p.m., which alerted social news followers of multiple roads blocks, car chases and a gun battle that included several grenade and bazooka blasts that lasted for 45 minutes. The gunbattle spread throughout Reynosa, including in the neighborhood of La Cima where a circus setup was interrupted by a gunfight that resulted in several injuries to innocent people and some circus animals. In the neighborhood of Morelos, moviegoers remained inside the theater for several hours to escape the gunbattle, according to social network postings in the Reynosa region.
The Tamaulipas State Attorney General (PGRE) reported that on Sunday a young child was killed by a stray bullet and his father was seriously injured. Also, that the body of a taxi driver was found with a fatal bullet wound to the neck. Seven suspects were taken into custody and 22 vehicles were confiscated, according to the PGRE. Last week at least 60 homicides were reported in the region within 84 hours.

Earlier reports of armed gunmen in multiple vehicles traveling in the area with decals M3 and M4, including GC on windows were reported by VT. The gunfight allegedly began after M4 was reported killed about a month ago by another leader of the GC or same drug cartel who was identified only by "El Gringo." According to the VT report, M4 was executed shortly after getting into a dispute with another leader known as "El Comandante Cortez" forcing "El Comandante Gringo" to join the armed assault, in an attempt to take over the split faction of the GC in Reynosa.
Killing M4 led to a retaliation by "El Puma" who is Cortez' son. El Puma apparently is now feuding with his dad over the control of Reynosa and has turned into a family war. El Gringo sided with the Cortez GC faction, but was allegedly killed in the confrontation with El Puma GC faction. Cortez could have also been killed over the weekend.
One of the Facebook (FB) users posted a comment on VT accusing El Gringo of crossing sides and joining Los Zetas. Both Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel have been feuding for several years in an attempt to take control of the multi-million drug cartel bordertown routes. 

The Sinaloa drug cartel headed by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera has also been trying to take control of the state of Tamaulipas in order to control the routes headed into the U.S.

The GC was able to send reinforcements to Reynosa from nearby cities, small towns or municipalities they control and more blood shed between the GC factions and Los Zetas is expected to escalate during the week.

Police sirens and ETM ambulances could be heard going into the GC battle scene. The Mexican military also arrived at the scene and the battle between the GC factions temporarily died down.

Weekend aftermath of internal gunfight between split factions of the Gulf Cartel for control of Reynosa and people taking refuge inside a theater shortly after 8:25 p.m.

Photos courtesy of Valor por Tamaulipas.