Cong. Coble's Opening Statement for Hearing on “Weak Bilateral Law Enforcement Presence at the US-Mexico Border Area: Territorial Integrity and Safety Issues for American Citizens”
United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
Washington,
Nov 17, 2005 -
Today the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims convene a very important oversight hearing of the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to examine the security and safety of United States citizens living along and traveling between the Mexican/United States border.
Recently, there have been numerous reports outlining the increase of violence in the region surrounding Laredo, Texas and the city across the Mexican border, Nuevo Laredo. Most of the violence is attributed to the drug trafficking activities in this region and specifically to a group known as “The Zetas.” The Zetas are the enforcement arm of Gulf Cartel, one of the largest drug cartels in Mexico.
This panel is concerned about these reports and looks forward to hearing the Departments’ response to these accounts and the efforts being utilized to combat the crime and violence in the region.
The Zetas were originally recruited from a group of Mexican Special Forces, trained to locate and apprehend drug traffickers. However, in 1998, they were recruited by the Gulf Cartel to aid in their illegal operations, specifically to kidnap and kill rival drug traffickers. Additionally, they are now responsible for the safe passage of illegal narcotics moving through the region and eventually into the United States.
According to the Mexican Attorney General’s office, there were originally 31 deserters that comprised the core group of the Zetas, but have since recruited more and their ranks are estimated to be as large as 200.
The Zetas have successfully cultivated an atmosphere of fear along the border region around Laredo. Since last year, at least 170 people have gone missing throughout the region, 43 of whom are Americans from Laredo, Texas. Additionally, there have been more than 105 executions in Nuevo Laredo this year as a result of the drug violence.
An article in the February 20, 2005 issue of the Dallas Morning News reported that some members of the Zetas are operating in North Texas and had hired gang members and other criminals to conduct contract killings. The article claimed that the Zetas were responsible for three murders in Dallas in 2004 and were responsible for numerous murders along the U.S. - Mexico border.
Finally, the article claimed that the Zetas would be willing to use violence against law enforcement officials who stand in their way. In fact, numerous police officers in Nuevo Laredo have been shot and killed during attacks attributed to the Zetas. A telling example of the ruthlessness and audacity exemplified by the Zetas is the assassination of Nuevo Laredo police chief Alejandro Dominguez who was gunned down a mere six hours after being sworn into office.
The situation became so tenuous that in August of this year, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza closed the United States Consulate in Nuevo Laredo due to escalating violence. While the State Department did not issue an official travel warning to U.S. citizens traveling to this region, this panel is deeply concerned for the safety and well being of our citizens who frequent this region, many on a daily basis.
In order to successfully stem this tide of violence, our federal law enforcement agencies must not only cooperate with one another, but must actively involve the state and local law enforcement as well. Additionally, federal law enforcement agencies need to be willing and able to cooperate and collaborate with their Mexican counterparts.
While I recognize that were problems of corruption facing the Nuevo Laredo police department, there certainly must be Mexican federal agencies with which we can work together. We need to be addressing this assault on American safety on the other side of the border before it spills onto U.S. soil. A very dangerous criminal element is at our doorstep and knocking. What are we doing to turn them away?
Now let me recognize the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims, the distinguished gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Hostettler. Following Mr. Hostettler, the Ranking Members from the Subcommittees, Mr. Scott and Mrs. Jackson-Lee will be afforded five minutes each for their opening statements.
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