Commercial Leader Falls in Drug War

(Acapulco, JG 22 October) Thursday morning the former leader of an influential commercial organization in Acapulco and a leading member of the PRI political party in Acapulco, was found murdered on the side of the highway south of Acapulco, near the pueblo El Bejuco. The body of Antonio Valdés Andrade was found with indications of torture and several bullet wounds, one of them in the head. By the body a florescent-colored poster was found, covered in clear plastic, on which was written, “This happened to me because of my support for La Barbie. Sincerely, Beltrán Leyva and Amigos.” The word “amigos” (“friends”) was spelled with several z’s at the end instead of an “s,” which indicated that the “friends” in question was the organized crime group known as the “Zetas.” With the body were found three other men, murdered with their hands tied behind them, under a canvas.

When asked about the incident, Governor Zeferino Torreblanca Galindo said that of course there is no way to confirm that the ex-business and political leader had ties to organized crime, and it would be irresponsible on his part to speculate. He added that half of the 452 investigative police that serve in the State Justice Department during his administration have been taken off the roll due to death, disability or resignation, implying that it was the effect of drug threats and violence. He commented that it was time to consider a single, unified police force.