AZMEX UPDATE 26 FEB 2019
CBP officers seized nearly 349 pounds of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and possible fentanyl
Posted: 9:38 PM, Feb 25, 2019 Updated: 5:53 AM, Feb 26, 2019
By: Maria Arey
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/cbp-officers-seized-nearly-349-pounds-of-heroin-methamphetamine-cocaine-and-possible-fentanyl
TUCSON, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized drugs estimated to be worth over $4.3 million.
A 67-year-old Rio Rico man tried entering the U.S. from Mexico carrying more than 349 pound of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and possible fentanyl.
A the Dennis DeConcini Crossing, CBP officers and K-9 found close to 21 pounds of heroin, 103 pounds of cocaine, 116 pounds of meth, and 1.5 pounds of suspected fentanyl inside the vehicle, a Jeep SUV.
The fentanyl estimated to be worth $20,000, the meth estimated to be $347,000, the heroin estimated to be $560,000, and the cocaine was estimated to be worth $2.5 million,
Later, CBP officer stopped and questioned another man.
A 21-year-old Phoenix man tried entering into the U.S. in a Honda sedan.
CBP officers and K-9 found close 15 pounds of methamphetamine estimated to be worth $20,000.
That evening, officers stopped a woman at Mariposa Crossings.
A 24-year-old Mexican national woman was stopped in her Ford sedan.
CBP officials and K-9 detected more than 18 pound of cocaine estimated to be worth $343,000, over 64 pounds of methamphetamine worth $192,456, nearly 9 pounds of heroin worth close to $245,000, and almost 2 pounds of possible fentanyl pills worth nearly $27,000.
The drugs and the vehicle have been seized.
The two men and the woman were taken into custody and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.
Customs and Border Protection examine all individuals, all vehicles, and items entering the U.S.
Individuals can be charged by complaint, allowed by Federal law.
END
Note: From Phoenix Ch. 12 KPNX Originally in Spanish . Mug shots at link.
A Phoenix man and 2 Mexicans arrested in a drug seizure worth more than $ 1 million
The men transported marijuana with a value of more than $ 1 million and methamphetamine with a value of more than $ 300,000, authorities say.
Author: 12 News
Published: 3:32 PM MST February 26, 2019
Updated: 3:33 PM MST February 26, 2019
https://www.12news.com/article/syndication/spanish/un-hombre-de-phoenix-y-2-mexicanos-arrestados-en-un-decomiso-de-droga-con-valor-de-mas-de-1-millon/75-1b35177b-20a6-466c-a123-e770941907cf
Arizona officials tracked down three men in a stolen pickup with marijuana with a value of more than $ 1 million last month.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the Department of Public Safety and Border Protection Customs
detained two Mexican men and one from Phoenix on January 30.
They were trying to go around the interstate 85 immigration checkpoint in a desert area, according to the Arizona Attorney General's statement.
Researchers found 3,515 pounds of marijuana and more than 220 pounds of methamphetamine in the vehicle, which was stopped with a spiked line.
Detectives arrested Yony Ontiveros-Torres, 48, Rubén Jiménez Espericueta, also 48 years old,
and Jaime García López, 30, from Phoenix.
Both face charges of conspiracy to transport dangerous drugs and charges of theft of a car.
End
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
AZMEX SPECIAL 26-2-19
AZMEX SPECIAL 26 FEB 2019
Note: MA, not AZ.
Mass. woman charged with assaulting man in 'MAGA' hat now faces deportation
Rosiane Santos, 41, is charged with assaulting 23-year-old Bryton Turner, who was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat at a restaurant last week in Falmouth.
By Jessica Chasmar - The Washington Times - Tuesday, February 26, 2019
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/26/rosiane-santos-woman-charged-assaulting-man-maga-h/
A Brazilian woman who made headlines this week after she was charged with assaulting a man wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat inside a Massachusetts restaurant has been taken into ICE custody, officials said Tuesday.
Rosiane Santos, 41, was charged this month with disorderly conduct and assault and battery after police said she admitted to attacking a man because he supported President Trump.
Video submitted by 23-year-old Bryton Turner showed Ms. Santos yelling at him and knocking the red, "Make America Great Again" hat off his head at the Casa Vallarta restaurant in Falmouth. Ms. Santos told local media at the time that she was the victim in the situation, even though a bartender at the restaurant said Mr. Turner did nothing to provoke the alleged attack.
On Tuesday, ICE officials took Ms. Santos into custody after determining that she was in the country illegally.
"Deportation officers with ICE's Fugitive Operations Team arrested Rosiane Santos,
an unlawfully present citizen of Brazil, today near Falmouth, Massachusetts,"
said ICE spokesman John Mohan, a local CBS affiliate reported.
"Santos is currently facing local charges for assault and other offenses.
She is presently in ICE custody and has been entered into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts."
End
Note: MA, not AZ.
Mass. woman charged with assaulting man in 'MAGA' hat now faces deportation
Rosiane Santos, 41, is charged with assaulting 23-year-old Bryton Turner, who was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat at a restaurant last week in Falmouth.
By Jessica Chasmar - The Washington Times - Tuesday, February 26, 2019
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/26/rosiane-santos-woman-charged-assaulting-man-maga-h/
A Brazilian woman who made headlines this week after she was charged with assaulting a man wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat inside a Massachusetts restaurant has been taken into ICE custody, officials said Tuesday.
Rosiane Santos, 41, was charged this month with disorderly conduct and assault and battery after police said she admitted to attacking a man because he supported President Trump.
Video submitted by 23-year-old Bryton Turner showed Ms. Santos yelling at him and knocking the red, "Make America Great Again" hat off his head at the Casa Vallarta restaurant in Falmouth. Ms. Santos told local media at the time that she was the victim in the situation, even though a bartender at the restaurant said Mr. Turner did nothing to provoke the alleged attack.
On Tuesday, ICE officials took Ms. Santos into custody after determining that she was in the country illegally.
"Deportation officers with ICE's Fugitive Operations Team arrested Rosiane Santos,
an unlawfully present citizen of Brazil, today near Falmouth, Massachusetts,"
said ICE spokesman John Mohan, a local CBS affiliate reported.
"Santos is currently facing local charges for assault and other offenses.
She is presently in ICE custody and has been entered into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts."
End
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
AZMEX POLICY 25-2-19
AZMEX POLICY 25 FEB 2019
Mexico to help "El Chapo" family seek US humanitarian visas
By: Associated Press
Posted: Feb 25, 2019 10:59 AM MST
Updated: Feb 25, 2019 10:59 AM MST
https://www.kyma.com/news/mexico-to-help-el-chapo-family-seek-us-humanitarian-visas/1039598675
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday
that he has instructed his government to assist the family of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman
in seeking humanitarian visas to visit the convicted drug trafficker in the United States.
During a visit last week to Guzman's hometown of Badiraguato in Sinaloa state,
a lawyer passed Lopez Obrador a letter from Guzman's mother.
"Like any mother asking me for support for her son," Lopez Obrador said.
Later in the afternoon, the president published via Twitter
Consuelo Loera's letter in which she asks for his help in obtaining humanitarian visas
for herself and two of her daughters.
Lopez Obrador was in Sinaloa last week to announce a highway construction project in the area.
In the letter dated Feb. 14, Loera described herself as "suffering and desperate"
and wrote that she had not seen her son in more than five years.
She called his extradition illegal and asked that Guzman be brought back to Mexico.
Lopez Obrador said legal questions would have to be dealt with by Mexico's Interior Ministry,
Attorney General's Office and judiciary.
U.S. support for such a request would be extremely unlikely considering Guzman has escaped from two prisons.
But on the humanitarian front, Lopez Obrador said:
"I gave instructions that they facilitate (soliciting the visas) and that the sisters be able to go to the United States
and to help them according to the laws, regulations that country has, so that they can visit him or have communication."
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, such permission,
known as humanitarian parole, is reserved for people with a compelling emergency, but anyone can apply.
Those who could be considered eligible should have an
"emergent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit" to temporarily entering the U.S.
Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Guzman was convicted Feb. 12 in federal court in New York on multiple drug trafficking and conspiracy charges
and likely faces a life sentence.
On Friday, his defense team said it wanted a new trial based on reports of jury misconduct.
END
Mexico to help "El Chapo" family seek US humanitarian visas
By: Associated Press
Posted: Feb 25, 2019 10:59 AM MST
Updated: Feb 25, 2019 10:59 AM MST
https://www.kyma.com/news/mexico-to-help-el-chapo-family-seek-us-humanitarian-visas/1039598675
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday
that he has instructed his government to assist the family of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman
in seeking humanitarian visas to visit the convicted drug trafficker in the United States.
During a visit last week to Guzman's hometown of Badiraguato in Sinaloa state,
a lawyer passed Lopez Obrador a letter from Guzman's mother.
"Like any mother asking me for support for her son," Lopez Obrador said.
Later in the afternoon, the president published via Twitter
Consuelo Loera's letter in which she asks for his help in obtaining humanitarian visas
for herself and two of her daughters.
Lopez Obrador was in Sinaloa last week to announce a highway construction project in the area.
In the letter dated Feb. 14, Loera described herself as "suffering and desperate"
and wrote that she had not seen her son in more than five years.
She called his extradition illegal and asked that Guzman be brought back to Mexico.
Lopez Obrador said legal questions would have to be dealt with by Mexico's Interior Ministry,
Attorney General's Office and judiciary.
U.S. support for such a request would be extremely unlikely considering Guzman has escaped from two prisons.
But on the humanitarian front, Lopez Obrador said:
"I gave instructions that they facilitate (soliciting the visas) and that the sisters be able to go to the United States
and to help them according to the laws, regulations that country has, so that they can visit him or have communication."
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, such permission,
known as humanitarian parole, is reserved for people with a compelling emergency, but anyone can apply.
Those who could be considered eligible should have an
"emergent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit" to temporarily entering the U.S.
Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Guzman was convicted Feb. 12 in federal court in New York on multiple drug trafficking and conspiracy charges
and likely faces a life sentence.
On Friday, his defense team said it wanted a new trial based on reports of jury misconduct.
END
AZMEX I3 26-2-19
AZMEX I3 26 FEB 2019
Local shelter houses thousands of migrant asylum seekers
POSTED 7:16 PM, FEBRUARY 25, 2019, BY MISHA DIBONO,
UPDATED AT 08:39PM, FEBRUARY 25, 2019
https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/02/25/local-shelter-houses-thousands-of-migrant-asylum-seekers/
First Look Inside Migrant Shelter For Asylum Seekers
SAN DIEGO – Somewhere in southern San Diego County is a temporary migrant shelter that is home for thousands of people
who have come to the U.S. to ask for asylum.
FOX 5 toured the shelter for the first time Monday. We agreed to keep the location secret for the safety of the families who as staying there.
The sound of children playing and the giggles of babies contrast with the rows of small cots where travel-weary parents
are trying to get some rest in the temporary shelter. One man at the shelter traveled from Guatemala with his 4-year-old son.
He described the dangers of the journey. "There's a lot of bad guys.
The mafia, they pulled guns on us and they took money from us," he said.
The shelter is run by the San Diego Rapid Response Network.
This is the fifth location they have used since they took over sheltering asylum seekers from the federal government.
RELATED STORY
House leader says 'no justification' for emergency declaration during border visit
Back in October, ICE halted its Safe Release Program, which provided help with travel plans for migrants with asylum claims.
Since then, the network, in collaboration with Jewish Family Services, has help around 7,400 people, mostly women and children.
Norma Chavez is the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in San Diego.
She said migrants are given medical checkups, food and assigned a volunteer to help with travel plans.
They are also given a cot to sleep on until they have somewhere else to go.
The stories of why these people would risk everything to come to America are grim.
"There a lot of crimes. People kidnap other people, and you a have to pay so they don't kill you," one migrant said.
And while the issue has become politically charged, the people who run the shelter hope that when Americans see these vulnerable families,
they will empathize with their plight.
"A lot of what you hear is they are all criminals! Well, that is not true," Chavez said. "If you come here, you will see they are children.
How can a child and a mother who is seeking some safety because her husband was murdered, how could that person be criminal?"
END
Local shelter houses thousands of migrant asylum seekers
POSTED 7:16 PM, FEBRUARY 25, 2019, BY MISHA DIBONO,
UPDATED AT 08:39PM, FEBRUARY 25, 2019
https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/02/25/local-shelter-houses-thousands-of-migrant-asylum-seekers/
First Look Inside Migrant Shelter For Asylum Seekers
SAN DIEGO – Somewhere in southern San Diego County is a temporary migrant shelter that is home for thousands of people
who have come to the U.S. to ask for asylum.
FOX 5 toured the shelter for the first time Monday. We agreed to keep the location secret for the safety of the families who as staying there.
The sound of children playing and the giggles of babies contrast with the rows of small cots where travel-weary parents
are trying to get some rest in the temporary shelter. One man at the shelter traveled from Guatemala with his 4-year-old son.
He described the dangers of the journey. "There's a lot of bad guys.
The mafia, they pulled guns on us and they took money from us," he said.
The shelter is run by the San Diego Rapid Response Network.
This is the fifth location they have used since they took over sheltering asylum seekers from the federal government.
RELATED STORY
House leader says 'no justification' for emergency declaration during border visit
Back in October, ICE halted its Safe Release Program, which provided help with travel plans for migrants with asylum claims.
Since then, the network, in collaboration with Jewish Family Services, has help around 7,400 people, mostly women and children.
Norma Chavez is the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in San Diego.
She said migrants are given medical checkups, food and assigned a volunteer to help with travel plans.
They are also given a cot to sleep on until they have somewhere else to go.
The stories of why these people would risk everything to come to America are grim.
"There a lot of crimes. People kidnap other people, and you a have to pay so they don't kill you," one migrant said.
And while the issue has become politically charged, the people who run the shelter hope that when Americans see these vulnerable families,
they will empathize with their plight.
"A lot of what you hear is they are all criminals! Well, that is not true," Chavez said. "If you come here, you will see they are children.
How can a child and a mother who is seeking some safety because her husband was murdered, how could that person be criminal?"
END
AZMEX I3 21 FEB 2019
AZMEX I3 21 FEB 2019
Note: as always in the media, "immigrant" means illegal alien.
Thx
Immigrants rally for better education in New Mexico
Kai Porter
February 20, 2019 05:11 PM
https://www.kob.com/politics-news/immigrants-rally-for-better-education-in-new-mexico/5253260/?cat=500
SANTA FE, N.M.- Hundreds of young immigrants and their supporters held a rally at the Roundhouse Wednesday afternoon.
They were advocating for more bilingual and multicultural inclusivity
and more state funding for the state's education system.
18-year-old Blanca Bañuelos, who is a DACA recipient, said faced the challenges while trying to pursue a higher education.
Immigrants rally for better education in New Mexico
"A lot of the college career counselors do not give you the same resources that they give a person who lives here,
a citizen,"
Bañuelos said.
"Most of the time they don't offer you the same scholarships
or they simply feel like they shouldn't share their resources with you."
The rally, organized by the New Mexico Dream Team, was about delivering a message to lawmakers
to improve education for all students – not just immigrant students.
"We want our students to have the best education possible.
Sadly, our state is at the bottom of the national rankings when it comes to education and that's not OK,"
said Luis Leyva of the New Mexico Dream Team.
Leyva said the rally was also about protesting President Trump's declaration of a national emergency to fund a border wall.
"The actual emergency that we have here in our state is that we're rock bottom when it comes to education," Leyva said.
Several elected officials also spoke during the rally, supporting the group and their cause.
End
More:
Immigration bill passes first test in Senate
BY DAN MCKAY / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Published: Friday, January 25th, 2019 at 5:10pm
Updated: Friday, January 25th, 2019 at 9:56pm
https://www.abqjournal.com/1272962/immigration-bill-passes-first-test-in-senate.html
SANTA FE – A proposal moving through the Senate would bar public agencies in New Mexico from spending money or using other resources to enforce federal immigration laws.
The bill to make New Mexico a "sanctuary" state narrowly cleared its first committee Friday after senators heard emotional testimony about immigrants who fear going to police, even when they're a crime victim or witness.
One woman described calling 911, only to have sheriff's deputies arrive with federal immigration agents. Her husband was deported, she told lawmakers, speaking through an interpreter.
Senate Bill 196 would prohibit state and local governments, including sheriffs' offices, from using their resources to try to detect or detain people they suspect are in the country illegally, or from helping federal agents do so.
Sen. Linda Lopez, an Albuquerque Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said the proposal would improve public safety by ensuring that immigrants – regardless of their legal status – feel comfortable reporting crime and helping local police officers.
"These are my neighbors," she said. "They are community members."
Blanca Banuelos, an 18-year-old from Albuquerque, said immigrants have been treated as "bargaining chips" in national political debates. She herself is an immigrant temporarily protected from deportation because she was brought to the United States as a child, 17 years ago.
"Our lawmakers must focus on protecting our immigrant community," Banuelos said. "Our lives depend on it."
No one spoke against the bill.
It passed the Senate Public Affairs Committee on a 4-3 party-line vote, with Democrats in support. The bill now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee, potentially its last stop before the Senate floor.
The proposal would restrict the authority of sheriffs and jail administrators to hold federal immigration detainees, though any existing arrangements could continue. New contracts couldn't be entered into.
Senate Bill 196 is sponsored by three Democrats – Lopez, Sen. Richard Martinez of Española and Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero of Albuquerque.
Democrats hold majorities in both chambers of the state Legislature and swept every statewide office – including governor – in last year's election.
End
More:
Pollster: NM a 'welcoming community' for immigrants
BY DAN MCKAY / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Monday, February 18th, 2019 at 6:46pm
https://www.abqjournal.com/1282285/pollster-nm-a-welcoming-community-for-immigrants.html
SANTA FE — New Mexico's registered voters have a welcoming attitude toward immigrants and support a variety of immigrant-friendly policies, according to a poll released Monday by Somos Acción and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico.
The telephone and online survey was conducted by Gabriel Sanchez, a pollster for Latino Decisions and a professor at the University of New Mexico.
Among the findings, he said, are that 57 percent of registered voters say lawmakers should prohibit New Mexico government agencies from using state and local government resources to enforce federal immigration law and leave that work instead to federal authorities.
The groups that released the poll support similar legislation that's moving forward in the state Senate. Senate Bill 196, sponsored by five Democratic lawmakers, would bar public agencies in New Mexico from spending money or using other resources to enforce federal immigration laws.
Sanchez said the poll included a sample of 732 registered voters who were interviewed from Jan. 3-16, he said. The margin of error is 3.7 percentage points.
The poll asked whether the voter believed the state should pass "a law that would prohibit New Mexico government agencies from using state and local resources to enforce federal immigration law and instead leave all immigration matters to the federal immigration authorities."
The poll also found that voters agree that "long-time immigrant residents of New Mexico" should be able to have access to courthouses, legal services, and police and fire services.
"New Mexicans are a welcoming community," Sanchez said.
Somos Acción is a sister organization of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, an immigrant and workers' rights group.
End
Note: as always in the media, "immigrant" means illegal alien.
Thx
Immigrants rally for better education in New Mexico
Kai Porter
February 20, 2019 05:11 PM
https://www.kob.com/politics-news/immigrants-rally-for-better-education-in-new-mexico/5253260/?cat=500
SANTA FE, N.M.- Hundreds of young immigrants and their supporters held a rally at the Roundhouse Wednesday afternoon.
They were advocating for more bilingual and multicultural inclusivity
and more state funding for the state's education system.
18-year-old Blanca Bañuelos, who is a DACA recipient, said faced the challenges while trying to pursue a higher education.
Immigrants rally for better education in New Mexico
"A lot of the college career counselors do not give you the same resources that they give a person who lives here,
a citizen,"
Bañuelos said.
"Most of the time they don't offer you the same scholarships
or they simply feel like they shouldn't share their resources with you."
The rally, organized by the New Mexico Dream Team, was about delivering a message to lawmakers
to improve education for all students – not just immigrant students.
"We want our students to have the best education possible.
Sadly, our state is at the bottom of the national rankings when it comes to education and that's not OK,"
said Luis Leyva of the New Mexico Dream Team.
Leyva said the rally was also about protesting President Trump's declaration of a national emergency to fund a border wall.
"The actual emergency that we have here in our state is that we're rock bottom when it comes to education," Leyva said.
Several elected officials also spoke during the rally, supporting the group and their cause.
End
More:
Immigration bill passes first test in Senate
BY DAN MCKAY / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Published: Friday, January 25th, 2019 at 5:10pm
Updated: Friday, January 25th, 2019 at 9:56pm
https://www.abqjournal.com/1272962/immigration-bill-passes-first-test-in-senate.html
SANTA FE – A proposal moving through the Senate would bar public agencies in New Mexico from spending money or using other resources to enforce federal immigration laws.
The bill to make New Mexico a "sanctuary" state narrowly cleared its first committee Friday after senators heard emotional testimony about immigrants who fear going to police, even when they're a crime victim or witness.
One woman described calling 911, only to have sheriff's deputies arrive with federal immigration agents. Her husband was deported, she told lawmakers, speaking through an interpreter.
Senate Bill 196 would prohibit state and local governments, including sheriffs' offices, from using their resources to try to detect or detain people they suspect are in the country illegally, or from helping federal agents do so.
Sen. Linda Lopez, an Albuquerque Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said the proposal would improve public safety by ensuring that immigrants – regardless of their legal status – feel comfortable reporting crime and helping local police officers.
"These are my neighbors," she said. "They are community members."
Blanca Banuelos, an 18-year-old from Albuquerque, said immigrants have been treated as "bargaining chips" in national political debates. She herself is an immigrant temporarily protected from deportation because she was brought to the United States as a child, 17 years ago.
"Our lawmakers must focus on protecting our immigrant community," Banuelos said. "Our lives depend on it."
No one spoke against the bill.
It passed the Senate Public Affairs Committee on a 4-3 party-line vote, with Democrats in support. The bill now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee, potentially its last stop before the Senate floor.
The proposal would restrict the authority of sheriffs and jail administrators to hold federal immigration detainees, though any existing arrangements could continue. New contracts couldn't be entered into.
Senate Bill 196 is sponsored by three Democrats – Lopez, Sen. Richard Martinez of Española and Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero of Albuquerque.
Democrats hold majorities in both chambers of the state Legislature and swept every statewide office – including governor – in last year's election.
End
More:
Pollster: NM a 'welcoming community' for immigrants
BY DAN MCKAY / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Monday, February 18th, 2019 at 6:46pm
https://www.abqjournal.com/1282285/pollster-nm-a-welcoming-community-for-immigrants.html
SANTA FE — New Mexico's registered voters have a welcoming attitude toward immigrants and support a variety of immigrant-friendly policies, according to a poll released Monday by Somos Acción and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico.
The telephone and online survey was conducted by Gabriel Sanchez, a pollster for Latino Decisions and a professor at the University of New Mexico.
Among the findings, he said, are that 57 percent of registered voters say lawmakers should prohibit New Mexico government agencies from using state and local government resources to enforce federal immigration law and leave that work instead to federal authorities.
The groups that released the poll support similar legislation that's moving forward in the state Senate. Senate Bill 196, sponsored by five Democratic lawmakers, would bar public agencies in New Mexico from spending money or using other resources to enforce federal immigration laws.
Sanchez said the poll included a sample of 732 registered voters who were interviewed from Jan. 3-16, he said. The margin of error is 3.7 percentage points.
The poll asked whether the voter believed the state should pass "a law that would prohibit New Mexico government agencies from using state and local resources to enforce federal immigration law and instead leave all immigration matters to the federal immigration authorities."
The poll also found that voters agree that "long-time immigrant residents of New Mexico" should be able to have access to courthouses, legal services, and police and fire services.
"New Mexicans are a welcoming community," Sanchez said.
Somos Acción is a sister organization of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, an immigrant and workers' rights group.
End
Monday, February 25, 2019
AZMEX I3 25-2-19
AZMEX I3 25 FEB 2019
Note: As always, "migrant" means illegal immigrant.
Thx
AP - ARIZONA NEWS, LOCAL NEWS, NEWS, NEWSLETTER
Border agents drop migrant families at Phoenix bus station
Associated Press
5:13 am
February 25, 2019
https://kvoa.com/news/local-news/2019/02/25/border-agents-drop-migrant-families-at-phoenix-bus-station/
PHOENIX (AP) — Authorities say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents dropped off at least two busloads of migrant families
during the weekend at a Greyhound bus station in Phoenix.
The Arizona Republic reports that members of a local church offered soup, muffins and fruit to the families
and began finding places for them to stay after they arrived Saturday morning and afternoon at a Greyhound station near downtown.
The newspaper says church volunteers asked not to be identified.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe
told the newspaper the bus station drop-offs came because organizations the agency normally works with couldn't accommodate the groups.
O'Keefe didn't say how many people were released in Phoenix.
The Republic says a Greyhound security official prevented reporters from interviewing those who arrived.
END
ALSO:
https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/border-agents-drop-migrant-families-at-phoenix-bus-station
END
Note: As always, "migrant" means illegal immigrant.
Thx
AP - ARIZONA NEWS, LOCAL NEWS, NEWS, NEWSLETTER
Border agents drop migrant families at Phoenix bus station
Associated Press
5:13 am
February 25, 2019
https://kvoa.com/news/local-news/2019/02/25/border-agents-drop-migrant-families-at-phoenix-bus-station/
PHOENIX (AP) — Authorities say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents dropped off at least two busloads of migrant families
during the weekend at a Greyhound bus station in Phoenix.
The Arizona Republic reports that members of a local church offered soup, muffins and fruit to the families
and began finding places for them to stay after they arrived Saturday morning and afternoon at a Greyhound station near downtown.
The newspaper says church volunteers asked not to be identified.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe
told the newspaper the bus station drop-offs came because organizations the agency normally works with couldn't accommodate the groups.
O'Keefe didn't say how many people were released in Phoenix.
The Republic says a Greyhound security official prevented reporters from interviewing those who arrived.
END
ALSO:
https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/border-agents-drop-migrant-families-at-phoenix-bus-station
END
AZMEX SPECIAL 24-2-19
AZMEX SPECIAL 24 FEB 2019
They treat 900 cases of respiratory infections
Acute Respiratory Infections (IRAs) are the main cause of consultation at the Red Cross Clinics.
By: Nicolle De León | 2/24/2019 10:08 AM
https://www.lacronica.com/News/2019/02/24/1411319-Atienden-900-instituciones-de-infecciones-respiratorias.html
MEXICALI, Baja California (GH)
Acute Respiratory Infections (IRAs) are the main cause of consultation at the Red Cross Clinics.
Only in the month of February have been more than 900 people for this condition.
From January 28 to February 3, there were 335 cases, of which 80 were in the lower respiratory tract, that is, a more complex condition such as pneumonia or bronchopneumonia.
The area of the Mexicali Valley is the one that most contributes patients with complications due to IRAs, since in that period, 142 inhabitants of the rural area attended, said the coordinator of the Mexican Red Cross in Mexicali.
José Espinoza Astorga, detailed that the incidence is maintained, since in the period from 4 to 10 February there were 325 cases, a slightly larger amount than the same date of the year 2018.
The last cut from February 11 to 17, there were 320 cases, in the same way, the clinic in the Valley of Mexicali, highlighted by the greater number of patients attended, with 99 by IRAs in highways and 23 in low ways.
"You have to protect yourself in general, especially your breathing, you have to avoid breathing the cold air, if there are heaters in the house you should be careful letting the water circulate, because it can cause poisoning or an accident," he explained.
END
They treat 900 cases of respiratory infections
Acute Respiratory Infections (IRAs) are the main cause of consultation at the Red Cross Clinics.
By: Nicolle De León | 2/24/2019 10:08 AM
https://www.lacronica.com/News/2019/02/24/1411319-Atienden-900-instituciones-de-infecciones-respiratorias.html
MEXICALI, Baja California (GH)
Acute Respiratory Infections (IRAs) are the main cause of consultation at the Red Cross Clinics.
Only in the month of February have been more than 900 people for this condition.
From January 28 to February 3, there were 335 cases, of which 80 were in the lower respiratory tract, that is, a more complex condition such as pneumonia or bronchopneumonia.
The area of the Mexicali Valley is the one that most contributes patients with complications due to IRAs, since in that period, 142 inhabitants of the rural area attended, said the coordinator of the Mexican Red Cross in Mexicali.
José Espinoza Astorga, detailed that the incidence is maintained, since in the period from 4 to 10 February there were 325 cases, a slightly larger amount than the same date of the year 2018.
The last cut from February 11 to 17, there were 320 cases, in the same way, the clinic in the Valley of Mexicali, highlighted by the greater number of patients attended, with 99 by IRAs in highways and 23 in low ways.
"You have to protect yourself in general, especially your breathing, you have to avoid breathing the cold air, if there are heaters in the house you should be careful letting the water circulate, because it can cause poisoning or an accident," he explained.
END
AZMEX EXTRA 24-2-19
AZMEX EXTRA 24 FEB 2019
Note: A whole eight months !
Thx
Second man sentenced in local gun case
Two additional defendants to learn fates in March
Lorenzo Zazueta-Castro - February 23, 2019
https://www.themonitor.com/2019/02/23/second-man-sentenced-local-gun-case/
McALLEN — The second of four suspects in a straw purchase scheme involving firearms was sentenced earlier this week.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Gerardo Figueroa to eight months in federal prison during a sentencing hearing Wednesday, records show.
Figueroa is one of four to plead guilty in connection with a gun manufacturing case, court records show.
Figueroa pleaded true in November to one count of an indictment filed in August 2017, related to a gun trafficking and manufacturing ring involving the man and three others.
He is the second person sentenced in connection with the case. Brandon "Viper" Baźan-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the smuggling charge in November 2017 and was sentenced in March 2018 to 60 months in federal prison, records show.
Baźan-Rodriguez, Carlos Ramzel Maldonado, Rachel Alene Soto and Figueroa were all named in the original indictment on a variety of charges, including smuggling goods, import and manufacturing charges, as well as for their individual roles in purchasing four semi-automatic rifles and two pistols before attempting to smuggle them into Mexico, court records show.
Soto and Ramzel Maldonado, who also pleaded guilty to the smuggling charge in November 2017, are scheduled for sentencing in March, records show.
Government prosecutors allege that Figueroa, who faced the import charge, lied on a federal form when he stated that a semi-automatic weapon he purchased at a Pharr sporting goods store was for him, and that he was going to the owner of the Century Arms, model RAS47 rifle, the court document read. ( A semiautomatic AK clone )
"(Figueroa) knowingly made and aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, or induced, or procured the commission of the making of a false and fictitious written statement to Academy Sports & Outdoors, which statement was intended and likely to deceive Academy Sports & Outdoors as a fact material to the lawfulness of the sale of the firearms…," the record states.
Prosecutors allege the purchase took place on April 11, 2017, in Pharr.
Ramzel Maldonado and Soto were also accused of lying on the federal form when they purchased the same model semi-automatic rifle, on different dates between April and May 26, 2017, records show.
Weapons and ammunition, like the ones involved in this case, purchased legally and illegally in the U.S. are often times smuggled into Mexico, and end up in the hands of criminals, exacerbating the violence perpetrated by drug cartel organizations as a result of the drug trade.
Figueroa will also be required to serve two years of supervised release, as well as participate in a drug and alcohol treatment program, court notes show.
END
Note: A whole eight months !
Thx
Second man sentenced in local gun case
Two additional defendants to learn fates in March
Lorenzo Zazueta-Castro - February 23, 2019
https://www.themonitor.com/2019/02/23/second-man-sentenced-local-gun-case/
McALLEN — The second of four suspects in a straw purchase scheme involving firearms was sentenced earlier this week.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Gerardo Figueroa to eight months in federal prison during a sentencing hearing Wednesday, records show.
Figueroa is one of four to plead guilty in connection with a gun manufacturing case, court records show.
Figueroa pleaded true in November to one count of an indictment filed in August 2017, related to a gun trafficking and manufacturing ring involving the man and three others.
He is the second person sentenced in connection with the case. Brandon "Viper" Baźan-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the smuggling charge in November 2017 and was sentenced in March 2018 to 60 months in federal prison, records show.
Baźan-Rodriguez, Carlos Ramzel Maldonado, Rachel Alene Soto and Figueroa were all named in the original indictment on a variety of charges, including smuggling goods, import and manufacturing charges, as well as for their individual roles in purchasing four semi-automatic rifles and two pistols before attempting to smuggle them into Mexico, court records show.
Soto and Ramzel Maldonado, who also pleaded guilty to the smuggling charge in November 2017, are scheduled for sentencing in March, records show.
Government prosecutors allege that Figueroa, who faced the import charge, lied on a federal form when he stated that a semi-automatic weapon he purchased at a Pharr sporting goods store was for him, and that he was going to the owner of the Century Arms, model RAS47 rifle, the court document read. ( A semiautomatic AK clone )
"(Figueroa) knowingly made and aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, or induced, or procured the commission of the making of a false and fictitious written statement to Academy Sports & Outdoors, which statement was intended and likely to deceive Academy Sports & Outdoors as a fact material to the lawfulness of the sale of the firearms…," the record states.
Prosecutors allege the purchase took place on April 11, 2017, in Pharr.
Ramzel Maldonado and Soto were also accused of lying on the federal form when they purchased the same model semi-automatic rifle, on different dates between April and May 26, 2017, records show.
Weapons and ammunition, like the ones involved in this case, purchased legally and illegally in the U.S. are often times smuggled into Mexico, and end up in the hands of criminals, exacerbating the violence perpetrated by drug cartel organizations as a result of the drug trade.
Figueroa will also be required to serve two years of supervised release, as well as participate in a drug and alcohol treatment program, court notes show.
END
Thursday, February 21, 2019
AZVEN UPDATE 21-2-19
AZVEN UPDATE 21 FEB 2019
Comment: El Burro Maduro, in the long standing communist tradition. Don't let the people escape!
Although an estimated 2 million have already.
Some of us still remember the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain. The guns were pointed IN.
THX
Maduro announces total closure of land border with Brazil
Afp and Reuters | Thursday, 21 Feb 2019 11:26
https://www.jornada.com.mx/ultimas/2019/02/21/maduro-anuncia-cierre-total-de-frontera-terrestre-con-brasil-258.html
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the total closure of the land border with Brazil,
two days after the entry of humanitarian aid requested by opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
Photo Marcelo García / Presidency of Venezuela / Afp
Caracas.
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, announced on Thursday the total closure of the land border with Brazil,
two days after the entry of humanitarian aid requested by the opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
"I have decided, in the south of Venezuela, from 20:00 hours (00:00 GMT)
on this February 21 is completely and absolutely closed, until further notice, the land border with Brazil,"
said the president in a meeting with the military high command at Fort Tiuna.
He indicated that he is also evaluating a total closure of the Colombian border.
He indicated that the collection of aid in the Colombian border city of Cúcuta was a provocation
and asked the Colombian Armed Forces not to accept pressure to act against Venezuela.
End
Comment: El Burro Maduro, in the long standing communist tradition. Don't let the people escape!
Although an estimated 2 million have already.
Some of us still remember the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain. The guns were pointed IN.
THX
Maduro announces total closure of land border with Brazil
Afp and Reuters | Thursday, 21 Feb 2019 11:26
https://www.jornada.com.mx/ultimas/2019/02/21/maduro-anuncia-cierre-total-de-frontera-terrestre-con-brasil-258.html
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the total closure of the land border with Brazil,
two days after the entry of humanitarian aid requested by opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
Photo Marcelo García / Presidency of Venezuela / Afp
Caracas.
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, announced on Thursday the total closure of the land border with Brazil,
two days after the entry of humanitarian aid requested by the opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
"I have decided, in the south of Venezuela, from 20:00 hours (00:00 GMT)
on this February 21 is completely and absolutely closed, until further notice, the land border with Brazil,"
said the president in a meeting with the military high command at Fort Tiuna.
He indicated that he is also evaluating a total closure of the Colombian border.
He indicated that the collection of aid in the Colombian border city of Cúcuta was a provocation
and asked the Colombian Armed Forces not to accept pressure to act against Venezuela.
End
AZMEX EXTRA2 21-2-19
AZMEX EXTRA2 21 FEB 2019
Note: photo at link.
FGR gets pre-trial detention against seven men after securing arsenal in Sonora
Statement FGR 52/19.
http://www.elregionaldesonora.com.mx/noticia/78382
The agent of the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) in Sonora, obtained from a Judge,
a right to a trial and justified detention against seven men after securing an arsenal.
The foregoing, due to its probable responsibility in the commission of the crimes of carrying a firearm without a license,
as well as the collection and carrying of firearms, as well as the possession of cartridges and magazines for the exclusive use of the armed forces,
with the aggravating circumstance of being a gang.
According to the investigation file initiated on the occasion of the reception of the Homologated Police Report
presented by personnel of the Ministry of National Defense and elements of the Federal Police,
in the vicinity of the Ejido called "47 frontera de Sonora" municipality of Agua Prieta , they seized;
15 long firearms,
3,400 cartridges,
three grenades,
77 magazines of various calibers,
three vehicles and
Seven men were arrested.
They remained at the disposal of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) in Sonora,
while the seven detainees are inmates at the Federal Center for Social Re-adaptation (CEFERESO) number 11, based in Hermosillo, Sonora.
END
Note: photo at link.
FGR gets pre-trial detention against seven men after securing arsenal in Sonora
Statement FGR 52/19.
http://www.elregionaldesonora.com.mx/noticia/78382
The agent of the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) in Sonora, obtained from a Judge,
a right to a trial and justified detention against seven men after securing an arsenal.
The foregoing, due to its probable responsibility in the commission of the crimes of carrying a firearm without a license,
as well as the collection and carrying of firearms, as well as the possession of cartridges and magazines for the exclusive use of the armed forces,
with the aggravating circumstance of being a gang.
According to the investigation file initiated on the occasion of the reception of the Homologated Police Report
presented by personnel of the Ministry of National Defense and elements of the Federal Police,
in the vicinity of the Ejido called "47 frontera de Sonora" municipality of Agua Prieta , they seized;
15 long firearms,
3,400 cartridges,
three grenades,
77 magazines of various calibers,
three vehicles and
Seven men were arrested.
They remained at the disposal of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) in Sonora,
while the seven detainees are inmates at the Federal Center for Social Re-adaptation (CEFERESO) number 11, based in Hermosillo, Sonora.
END
AZMEX EXTRA 21-2-19
AZMEX EXTRA 21 FEB 2019
German gunmaker fined €3.7m over illegal arms exports to Mexico
AFP
news@thelocal.de
@thelocalgermany
21 February 2019
11:27 CET+01:00
gunsmexicoexportsrifles
https://www.thelocal.de/20190221/german-gunmaker-convicted-for-illegal-arms-exports-to-mexico
German gunmaker fined €3.7m over illegal arms exports to Mexico
Firearms of the German manufacturer Heckler & Koch. Photo: DPA
A German court Thursday fined gunmaker Heckler & Koch €3.7 million and gave suspended jail terms to two of its ex-employees for illegally exporting thousands of rifles to violence-torn Mexican states.
A former worker was given a suspended sentence of 17 months in prison and ordered to do 250 hours of social work, while the other person convicted got an €80,000 fine and a 22-month suspended jail term.
Three other former employees were cleared of charges. The firm is based in Baden-Württemberg and the case was heard at a court in Stuttgart.
Germany is among the world's top arms exporters, along with the United States, Russia, China and France, and all its defence equipment sales abroad are subject to government approval.
Prosecutors had charged that 15 shipments of the military-style weapons between 2006 and 2009 breached Germany's so-called war weapons control law because they ended up in especially violence-torn Mexican states in breach of the export licence.
The Mexican defence ministry, which is in charge of gun imports, had approved the import of 9,652 H&K rifles, of which 4,796 went to states with particular human rights concerns, including Guerrero, German newspapers have reported.
Activists say that G36 rifles were also sent to police in Iguala, Guerrero state, where the 43 students disappeared at the hands of corrupt police and were feared killed by a narco-gang in September 2014 in a case that sparked international condemnation.
A driving force in the investigation leading to the trial was German rights activist Juergen Graesslin, who first issued a criminal complaint against H&K staff over the Mexico sales in 2010.
The campaigner said it was well known that in the most conflict-torn Mexican states both police and narco-gangsters used the G36, and that "often the two groups cooperate".
SEE ALSO: Five things to know about guns in Germany
https://www.thelocal.de/20160616/five-things-to-know-about-guns-in-germany-us-gun-control-laws
END
German gunmaker fined €3.7m over illegal arms exports to Mexico
AFP
news@thelocal.de
@thelocalgermany
21 February 2019
11:27 CET+01:00
gunsmexicoexportsrifles
https://www.thelocal.de/20190221/german-gunmaker-convicted-for-illegal-arms-exports-to-mexico
German gunmaker fined €3.7m over illegal arms exports to Mexico
Firearms of the German manufacturer Heckler & Koch. Photo: DPA
A German court Thursday fined gunmaker Heckler & Koch €3.7 million and gave suspended jail terms to two of its ex-employees for illegally exporting thousands of rifles to violence-torn Mexican states.
A former worker was given a suspended sentence of 17 months in prison and ordered to do 250 hours of social work, while the other person convicted got an €80,000 fine and a 22-month suspended jail term.
Three other former employees were cleared of charges. The firm is based in Baden-Württemberg and the case was heard at a court in Stuttgart.
Germany is among the world's top arms exporters, along with the United States, Russia, China and France, and all its defence equipment sales abroad are subject to government approval.
Prosecutors had charged that 15 shipments of the military-style weapons between 2006 and 2009 breached Germany's so-called war weapons control law because they ended up in especially violence-torn Mexican states in breach of the export licence.
The Mexican defence ministry, which is in charge of gun imports, had approved the import of 9,652 H&K rifles, of which 4,796 went to states with particular human rights concerns, including Guerrero, German newspapers have reported.
Activists say that G36 rifles were also sent to police in Iguala, Guerrero state, where the 43 students disappeared at the hands of corrupt police and were feared killed by a narco-gang in September 2014 in a case that sparked international condemnation.
A driving force in the investigation leading to the trial was German rights activist Juergen Graesslin, who first issued a criminal complaint against H&K staff over the Mexico sales in 2010.
The campaigner said it was well known that in the most conflict-torn Mexican states both police and narco-gangsters used the G36, and that "often the two groups cooperate".
SEE ALSO: Five things to know about guns in Germany
https://www.thelocal.de/20160616/five-things-to-know-about-guns-in-germany-us-gun-control-laws
END
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
AZMEX POLICY 20-2-19
AZMEX POLICY 20 FEB 2019
Note: photo, etc. at link.
Comment: the commie left in action. Ultimate goal? Destroy the USA.
THX
People's Defense Initiative holds meeting to challenge City Attorney's memo
Posted: 9:25 PM, Feb 19, 2019 Updated: 6:04 AM, Feb 20, 2019
By: Veronika Vernachio
items.[0].image.alt
Tucson sanctuary city initiative
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/peoples-defense-initiative-holds-meeting-to-challenge-leaked-city-attorneys-memoir
TUCSON, Ariz. — The People's Defense Initiative held a meeting Tuesday night at the YWCA to further discuss their petition with the community to make Tucson the first sanctuary city.
The "Tucson Families Free and Together" petition would create a ballot initiative that could make Tucson a sanctuary city -- a nonlegal term describing cities, counties or even states where local law enforcement limit their cooperation with federal authorities' attempts to enforce immigration law.
The Director of People's Defense Initiative Zaira Livier said they held this meeting to clear up their initiative.
"There's a lot of misinformation out there and folks aren't exactly sure what it does exactly," Livier said. "This is really just a community conversation about what are initiative does and doesn't do."
A memoir leaked from City Attorney Mike Rankin was released on January 16th showing the legal opinion towards their bill to make this a sanctuary city. In the memo, Rankin said, "It is my opinion that several of the provisions included in the petition are in conflict with Arizona Law."
He goes on to say a lot of the petition conflicts with the "obligations imposed under SB 1070, and are contrary to the concept of reasonable suspicion under legal precedent."
SB 1070 prohibits officers from attempting to determine a subject's immigration status. (?)
According to Livier, the People's Defense Initiative completely disagree with the memo.
"We disagree that we crossed into SB 1070 territory, because we wrote this bill specifically so that we would push next to the boundary without crossing it," Livier said. "We are confident that if we were to be sued that we would stand up to the test."
Mike Piccarreta, a Tucson Lawyer, explains how a local and state law can conflict, but still work under the law.
"Many times when there is conflicts between state and local law... what the courts try to do is render them so that they can both coexist with each other," Piccarreta said.
He adds that the legal opinion from Rankin highlights only the legal opinion, but does not "analyze the political issues that lead to the need for the initiative."
The People's Defense Initiative has until July 5th to get at least 9,241signatures, but they said their goal is to get 21,000 signatures, so they can have a cushion in case their signatures are challenged.
Currently, the group has 3,000 signatures and counting.
If this initiative passes, they will be subject to legal challenges, but Piccarreta most initiatives do.
"With any initiative there are always subject to legal challenges and that's why you have court," Piccarreta said. "One side brings it to court, other side makes there arguments and judges decides were current initiatives can exist in current law."
For the People's Defense Initiative, they're not just asking for a sanctuary city.
"We're asking for real policies, with teeth, that have to come back to the voters. To ever be changed again and that's exactly what we're doing," Livier said.
You can read more about the memo here , and What the People's Defense Initiative is doing here.
End
Note: photo, etc. at link.
Comment: the commie left in action. Ultimate goal? Destroy the USA.
THX
People's Defense Initiative holds meeting to challenge City Attorney's memo
Posted: 9:25 PM, Feb 19, 2019 Updated: 6:04 AM, Feb 20, 2019
By: Veronika Vernachio
items.[0].image.alt
Tucson sanctuary city initiative
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/peoples-defense-initiative-holds-meeting-to-challenge-leaked-city-attorneys-memoir
TUCSON, Ariz. — The People's Defense Initiative held a meeting Tuesday night at the YWCA to further discuss their petition with the community to make Tucson the first sanctuary city.
The "Tucson Families Free and Together" petition would create a ballot initiative that could make Tucson a sanctuary city -- a nonlegal term describing cities, counties or even states where local law enforcement limit their cooperation with federal authorities' attempts to enforce immigration law.
The Director of People's Defense Initiative Zaira Livier said they held this meeting to clear up their initiative.
"There's a lot of misinformation out there and folks aren't exactly sure what it does exactly," Livier said. "This is really just a community conversation about what are initiative does and doesn't do."
A memoir leaked from City Attorney Mike Rankin was released on January 16th showing the legal opinion towards their bill to make this a sanctuary city. In the memo, Rankin said, "It is my opinion that several of the provisions included in the petition are in conflict with Arizona Law."
He goes on to say a lot of the petition conflicts with the "obligations imposed under SB 1070, and are contrary to the concept of reasonable suspicion under legal precedent."
SB 1070 prohibits officers from attempting to determine a subject's immigration status. (?)
According to Livier, the People's Defense Initiative completely disagree with the memo.
"We disagree that we crossed into SB 1070 territory, because we wrote this bill specifically so that we would push next to the boundary without crossing it," Livier said. "We are confident that if we were to be sued that we would stand up to the test."
Mike Piccarreta, a Tucson Lawyer, explains how a local and state law can conflict, but still work under the law.
"Many times when there is conflicts between state and local law... what the courts try to do is render them so that they can both coexist with each other," Piccarreta said.
He adds that the legal opinion from Rankin highlights only the legal opinion, but does not "analyze the political issues that lead to the need for the initiative."
The People's Defense Initiative has until July 5th to get at least 9,241signatures, but they said their goal is to get 21,000 signatures, so they can have a cushion in case their signatures are challenged.
Currently, the group has 3,000 signatures and counting.
If this initiative passes, they will be subject to legal challenges, but Piccarreta most initiatives do.
"With any initiative there are always subject to legal challenges and that's why you have court," Piccarreta said. "One side brings it to court, other side makes there arguments and judges decides were current initiatives can exist in current law."
For the People's Defense Initiative, they're not just asking for a sanctuary city.
"We're asking for real policies, with teeth, that have to come back to the voters. To ever be changed again and that's exactly what we're doing," Livier said.
You can read more about the memo here , and What the People's Defense Initiative is doing here.
End
AZMEX SPECIAL 20-2-19
Interesting story of migrants in public schools in Yuma, AZ and CA.
At the link:
https://www.kyma.com/news/program-to-help-migrant-students-is-a-success/1029781492
end
At the link:
https://www.kyma.com/news/program-to-help-migrant-students-is-a-success/1029781492
end
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
AZMEX POLICY 19-2-19
AZMEX POLICY 19 FEB 2019
Note: from a few days ago.
thx
Three City Council Members Issue Statement of Solidarity with Nogales, Arizona on Border Issue
Posted February 8, 2019
https://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/newsnet/three-city-council-members-issue-statement-solidarity-nogales-arizona-border-issue
Ward 6 Tucson City Council Member Steve Kozachik,
Vice Mayor Richard Fimbres (Ward 5), and
Ward 1 City Council Member Regina Romero
announced today that they are in full support of the Feb. 5 vote taken by the Nogales Mayor and Council
calling for the removal of the concertina wire that has been placed along the border fencing running through downtown Nogales.
"The City of Tucson joins Nogales in embracing the cultural heritage we share with Mexico,"
the three said in the memo of support.
"We similarly join the citizens of Nogales in recognizing the economic importance of maintaining cross-border commercial ties.
And we join our colleagues on the Nogales City Council in condemning the actions of the Trump administration
that are sending a clear message of division and fear between our communities and our neighbors in Sonora."
END
Note: from a few days ago.
thx
Three City Council Members Issue Statement of Solidarity with Nogales, Arizona on Border Issue
Posted February 8, 2019
https://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/newsnet/three-city-council-members-issue-statement-solidarity-nogales-arizona-border-issue
Ward 6 Tucson City Council Member Steve Kozachik,
Vice Mayor Richard Fimbres (Ward 5), and
Ward 1 City Council Member Regina Romero
announced today that they are in full support of the Feb. 5 vote taken by the Nogales Mayor and Council
calling for the removal of the concertina wire that has been placed along the border fencing running through downtown Nogales.
"The City of Tucson joins Nogales in embracing the cultural heritage we share with Mexico,"
the three said in the memo of support.
"We similarly join the citizens of Nogales in recognizing the economic importance of maintaining cross-border commercial ties.
And we join our colleagues on the Nogales City Council in condemning the actions of the Trump administration
that are sending a clear message of division and fear between our communities and our neighbors in Sonora."
END
Monday, February 18, 2019
AZMEX UPDATE 18-2-19
AZMEX UPDATE 18 FEB 2019
Protesters invade and vandalize Border Patrol Museum and sacred room
by Jala Washington
Sunday, February 17th 2019
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/protesters-invade-and-vandalize-sacred-memorial-room-in-border-patrol-museum
Protesters invade and vandalize Border Patrol Museum and sacred room. (Border Patrol Museum- Employee).
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — A museum employee says a place to honor and pray for fallen Border Patrol agents has been defaced by a group of protesters in the Border Patrol Museum.
A Border Patrol Museum employee who confronted an unwelcome group estimates there were about to 50 people.
This employee, who has asked not to be identified for her protection, said she feels the invasion and vandalism was politically motivated.
The museum is a historic addition to the Borderland.
"The Border Patrol Museum has been here for a long time," said El Pasoan Luie Saldanha.
The long-standing museum has been long respected.
"Everyone should respect the place," said Maria Saldanha.
The Saldanhas said they're surprised to hear news of the vandalism.
"Well, we don't know what their motive is," said Luie Saldanha.
One of the museum's employees spoke exclusively to KFOX 14.
"They were everywhere," said the employee.
This employee was there when protesters took over, and said it all happened out of nowhere.
"You couldn't see their faces, they had a lot of posters," said the employee. "They were marching, they were singing, they were being loud."
This employee said she tried over and over to get protesters to leave.
"The visitors saw it and they took cover in our gift shop in the very, very back," said the employee.
There was vandalism to the museum's sacred memorial room. In photos shared with KFOX 14, you can see pictures of children who have recently died in Border Patrol custody plastered over the faces of fallen Border Patrol agents.
"We weren't physically assaulted, but we were just verbally assaulted and harassed," said the employee.
The employee said the harassment, lasting about 30 minutes, leaves her and others feeling threatened and afraid.
"The museum is there to educate them," said the employee. "We have nothing to do with what's going on out there."
The museum secured and closely monitored, sits still on the corner of a busy freeway. It is disrupted, but still standing.
"People should respect the history of El Paso, and the Border Patrol," said Luie Saldanha.
The Border Patrol Agents Family Network said it's waiting to see how much damages will cost. The museum stays afloat by donations from the community.
END
ALSO:
Border Patrol Museum accuses protesters of vandalism
By: Kate Bieri
Posted: Feb 17, 2019 09:33 PM MST
Updated: Feb 18, 2019 12:25 PM MST
https://www.kvia.com/news/el-paso/border-patrol-museum-accuses-protesters-of-vandalism/1026069806
Border Patrol Museum accuses protesters of vandalism
The president of the National Border Patrol Museum's board of directors said protesters vandalized multiple exhibits on Saturday.
"Today a group of protesters invaded the Border Patrol Museum and defaced all of our exhibits including our sacred Memorial Room," David Ham wrote on Facebook. "Efforts to prosecute them will be pursued once damage is assessed. This angers me greatly."
The Facebook group, "Tornillo: the Occupation" livestreamed the protest.
"It was an act of civil disobedience done because we believe there is a humanitarian crisis and human rights violations being perpetuated by a corrupt and broken immigration system," said Elizabeth Vega, one of the organizers.
Vega is a St. Louis resident and well-known protester throughout the country, especially in Ferguson. She denied vandalizing the museum, but she said the group placed stickers of Jakelin Caal and Felipe Gomez Alonzo, children who died in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol. "If this was happening in another country, we would be in an uproar," Vega said.
The museum is not affiliated with the U.S. Border Patrol, a spokesman said on Facebook. It is the only border patrol museum in the country. "We house the U.S. Border Patrol history but we are not funded by them or the federal government," he said in a Facebook message.
Even though the museum is not funded by the U.S. Border Patrol, Vega told ABC-7 that they glorify a broken immigration system.
"I am appalled and ashamed of my country and all the people within that immigration system who are perpetuating these violations," Vega said.
END
Protesters invade and vandalize Border Patrol Museum and sacred room
by Jala Washington
Sunday, February 17th 2019
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/protesters-invade-and-vandalize-sacred-memorial-room-in-border-patrol-museum
Protesters invade and vandalize Border Patrol Museum and sacred room. (Border Patrol Museum- Employee).
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — A museum employee says a place to honor and pray for fallen Border Patrol agents has been defaced by a group of protesters in the Border Patrol Museum.
A Border Patrol Museum employee who confronted an unwelcome group estimates there were about to 50 people.
This employee, who has asked not to be identified for her protection, said she feels the invasion and vandalism was politically motivated.
The museum is a historic addition to the Borderland.
"The Border Patrol Museum has been here for a long time," said El Pasoan Luie Saldanha.
The long-standing museum has been long respected.
"Everyone should respect the place," said Maria Saldanha.
The Saldanhas said they're surprised to hear news of the vandalism.
"Well, we don't know what their motive is," said Luie Saldanha.
One of the museum's employees spoke exclusively to KFOX 14.
"They were everywhere," said the employee.
This employee was there when protesters took over, and said it all happened out of nowhere.
"You couldn't see their faces, they had a lot of posters," said the employee. "They were marching, they were singing, they were being loud."
This employee said she tried over and over to get protesters to leave.
"The visitors saw it and they took cover in our gift shop in the very, very back," said the employee.
There was vandalism to the museum's sacred memorial room. In photos shared with KFOX 14, you can see pictures of children who have recently died in Border Patrol custody plastered over the faces of fallen Border Patrol agents.
"We weren't physically assaulted, but we were just verbally assaulted and harassed," said the employee.
The employee said the harassment, lasting about 30 minutes, leaves her and others feeling threatened and afraid.
"The museum is there to educate them," said the employee. "We have nothing to do with what's going on out there."
The museum secured and closely monitored, sits still on the corner of a busy freeway. It is disrupted, but still standing.
"People should respect the history of El Paso, and the Border Patrol," said Luie Saldanha.
The Border Patrol Agents Family Network said it's waiting to see how much damages will cost. The museum stays afloat by donations from the community.
END
ALSO:
Border Patrol Museum accuses protesters of vandalism
By: Kate Bieri
Posted: Feb 17, 2019 09:33 PM MST
Updated: Feb 18, 2019 12:25 PM MST
https://www.kvia.com/news/el-paso/border-patrol-museum-accuses-protesters-of-vandalism/1026069806
Border Patrol Museum accuses protesters of vandalism
The president of the National Border Patrol Museum's board of directors said protesters vandalized multiple exhibits on Saturday.
"Today a group of protesters invaded the Border Patrol Museum and defaced all of our exhibits including our sacred Memorial Room," David Ham wrote on Facebook. "Efforts to prosecute them will be pursued once damage is assessed. This angers me greatly."
The Facebook group, "Tornillo: the Occupation" livestreamed the protest.
"It was an act of civil disobedience done because we believe there is a humanitarian crisis and human rights violations being perpetuated by a corrupt and broken immigration system," said Elizabeth Vega, one of the organizers.
Vega is a St. Louis resident and well-known protester throughout the country, especially in Ferguson. She denied vandalizing the museum, but she said the group placed stickers of Jakelin Caal and Felipe Gomez Alonzo, children who died in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol. "If this was happening in another country, we would be in an uproar," Vega said.
The museum is not affiliated with the U.S. Border Patrol, a spokesman said on Facebook. It is the only border patrol museum in the country. "We house the U.S. Border Patrol history but we are not funded by them or the federal government," he said in a Facebook message.
Even though the museum is not funded by the U.S. Border Patrol, Vega told ABC-7 that they glorify a broken immigration system.
"I am appalled and ashamed of my country and all the people within that immigration system who are perpetuating these violations," Vega said.
END
AZMEX SPECIAL 17-2-19
AZMEX SPECIAL 17 FEB 2019
Note: a interesting story at the link. From the good guys at Borderland Beat .
http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2019/02/veracruz-photographer-kidnapped-in.html#more
More, very explicit and unpleasant .
https://www.gotoground.com/a-photographer-kidnapped-and-tortured-in-mexico-part-one/
end
Note: a interesting story at the link. From the good guys at Borderland Beat .
http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2019/02/veracruz-photographer-kidnapped-in.html#more
More, very explicit and unpleasant .
https://www.gotoground.com/a-photographer-kidnapped-and-tortured-in-mexico-part-one/
end
AZMEX SPECIAL 16-2-19
AZMEX SPECIAL 16 FEB 2019
Note; Very good oped. Disclosure, your correspondent has spent quite a bit of time in Mexico over the years.
This article is right on target.
Thx
In gun-controlled Mexico, the murder rate is nearly 500% HIGHER than in the USA
February 16, 2019 10:46 am
https://prepperlifestyle.org/in-gun-controlled-mexico-the-murder-rate-is-nearly-500-higher-than-in-the-usa/
(Natural News) As U.S. border agents crack down on organized crime, drugs, and human trafficking at the southern border, the Mexican government has no choice but to deal with and pay for the crime that their country fosters. Mexico's homicide figure for 2018was 33,341 — far surpassing the 2017 tally of 29,168. Violence is rising in Mexico as the country absorbs their own crime problem, deflected back to them due to assertive border policies enforced by ICE and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The major cartel groups that once ran drugs into the U.S. are rapidly being broken up into smaller factions. The splintering of the cartels has given rise to smaller, competing factions. This has made gun violence more prevalent in Mexico as a greater number of cartels fight for control over their region. Experts predict that cartel struggles will continue on into 2019 as they fight over territory. Because Mexico has strict gun control laws, many are unable to defend themselves from cartel violence.
Mexico's gun control laws encourage organized crime that the U.S. must address at the border
The Mexican government feeds the homicide problem because they have strict gun control laws, prohibiting law abiding citizens from adequately protecting themselves. The cartels grow and become more violent because they know they can get away with organized crime. There is no challenge from the citizenry. There is no armed republic poised to hold them accountable.
As defined by Mexico's Article 11 of the Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives, firearms are "for exclusive use of the military and strictly forbidden for civilian possession." Civilians are granted a license to lawfully carry a firearm outside their homes under limited circumstances. Civilians are only allowed to have firearms within their home dwelling, and they are limited in caliber and capacity. Additionally, to own more than two weapons, a civilian must "justify the need."
The Mexican government sponsors drug cartels and their violence because of the country's strict gun control laws. The murder rate in Mexico is 500 percent higher than in the USA. In 2018, Mexico's homicide rate was approximately 27 per 100,000 people. Conversely, America's homicide rate was more than five times lower (5 per 100,000 people.) Because Americans are free to protect themselves and their property, the homicide rate is kept in check. The U.S. homicide rate is 11 times lower than Honduras (about 56 per 100,000) and 15 times lower than El Salvador (about 82 per 100,000).
Granted, there are certain places in America where the murder rate is high. Not surprisingly, these murder hubs share many of the same gun control laws that Mexico has. Liberal utopias such as Chicago are homicide hot spots because gun control fanatics run the city. Just like Mexico, organized crime and human trafficking runs rampant in this U.S. city. The founders of the U.S. were right, and they didn't even have modern data to prove it: A well-armed and well-trained militia is necessary to the freedom and security of the state.
Gun control laws help give rise to drug cartel dominance
Over the past half decade, the Mexican drug cartels have rapidly changed the way they do business. Instead of relying on producers to traffic cocaine, many have begun making methamphetamine themselves so they can reap the most profit. Instead of raising poppies and processing opium gum into heroin, the cartels are producing more synthetic opioids. Opioids such as fentanyl are more profitable than heroin and are often concealed as heroin. The low cost of fentanyl has also collapsed the price of opium gum, making it cheaper to obtain.
As the cartels are fractured, with no lethal force to hold them accountable, criminal gang activity increases. Abductions, extortion, and theft are all on the rise. Today, the gangs target cargo and fuel supplies, stealing massive amounts of resources. Helpless, unarmed and under-armed Mexican citizens have no choice but to surrender or be shot dead.
The U.S. should not only build a wall to defend its own country from criminal enterprises emanating from Mexico, but the U.S. should also pressure the Mexican government to stop crime at the source. Mexico should help pay for the damage that drug addiction and drug-related violence does to families. Mexico should own up to their crime-sponsoring gun laws, which create victims out of law-abiding citizens, while spreading organized crime and its violence into the great United States of America, where armed citizens must be more vigilant and on watch.
Sources include:
MexicoNewsDaily.com
NaturalNews.com
End
Note; Very good oped. Disclosure, your correspondent has spent quite a bit of time in Mexico over the years.
This article is right on target.
Thx
In gun-controlled Mexico, the murder rate is nearly 500% HIGHER than in the USA
February 16, 2019 10:46 am
https://prepperlifestyle.org/in-gun-controlled-mexico-the-murder-rate-is-nearly-500-higher-than-in-the-usa/
(Natural News) As U.S. border agents crack down on organized crime, drugs, and human trafficking at the southern border, the Mexican government has no choice but to deal with and pay for the crime that their country fosters. Mexico's homicide figure for 2018was 33,341 — far surpassing the 2017 tally of 29,168. Violence is rising in Mexico as the country absorbs their own crime problem, deflected back to them due to assertive border policies enforced by ICE and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The major cartel groups that once ran drugs into the U.S. are rapidly being broken up into smaller factions. The splintering of the cartels has given rise to smaller, competing factions. This has made gun violence more prevalent in Mexico as a greater number of cartels fight for control over their region. Experts predict that cartel struggles will continue on into 2019 as they fight over territory. Because Mexico has strict gun control laws, many are unable to defend themselves from cartel violence.
Mexico's gun control laws encourage organized crime that the U.S. must address at the border
The Mexican government feeds the homicide problem because they have strict gun control laws, prohibiting law abiding citizens from adequately protecting themselves. The cartels grow and become more violent because they know they can get away with organized crime. There is no challenge from the citizenry. There is no armed republic poised to hold them accountable.
As defined by Mexico's Article 11 of the Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives, firearms are "for exclusive use of the military and strictly forbidden for civilian possession." Civilians are granted a license to lawfully carry a firearm outside their homes under limited circumstances. Civilians are only allowed to have firearms within their home dwelling, and they are limited in caliber and capacity. Additionally, to own more than two weapons, a civilian must "justify the need."
The Mexican government sponsors drug cartels and their violence because of the country's strict gun control laws. The murder rate in Mexico is 500 percent higher than in the USA. In 2018, Mexico's homicide rate was approximately 27 per 100,000 people. Conversely, America's homicide rate was more than five times lower (5 per 100,000 people.) Because Americans are free to protect themselves and their property, the homicide rate is kept in check. The U.S. homicide rate is 11 times lower than Honduras (about 56 per 100,000) and 15 times lower than El Salvador (about 82 per 100,000).
Granted, there are certain places in America where the murder rate is high. Not surprisingly, these murder hubs share many of the same gun control laws that Mexico has. Liberal utopias such as Chicago are homicide hot spots because gun control fanatics run the city. Just like Mexico, organized crime and human trafficking runs rampant in this U.S. city. The founders of the U.S. were right, and they didn't even have modern data to prove it: A well-armed and well-trained militia is necessary to the freedom and security of the state.
Gun control laws help give rise to drug cartel dominance
Over the past half decade, the Mexican drug cartels have rapidly changed the way they do business. Instead of relying on producers to traffic cocaine, many have begun making methamphetamine themselves so they can reap the most profit. Instead of raising poppies and processing opium gum into heroin, the cartels are producing more synthetic opioids. Opioids such as fentanyl are more profitable than heroin and are often concealed as heroin. The low cost of fentanyl has also collapsed the price of opium gum, making it cheaper to obtain.
As the cartels are fractured, with no lethal force to hold them accountable, criminal gang activity increases. Abductions, extortion, and theft are all on the rise. Today, the gangs target cargo and fuel supplies, stealing massive amounts of resources. Helpless, unarmed and under-armed Mexican citizens have no choice but to surrender or be shot dead.
The U.S. should not only build a wall to defend its own country from criminal enterprises emanating from Mexico, but the U.S. should also pressure the Mexican government to stop crime at the source. Mexico should help pay for the damage that drug addiction and drug-related violence does to families. Mexico should own up to their crime-sponsoring gun laws, which create victims out of law-abiding citizens, while spreading organized crime and its violence into the great United States of America, where armed citizens must be more vigilant and on watch.
Sources include:
MexicoNewsDaily.com
NaturalNews.com
End
Friday, February 15, 2019
AZMEX EXTRA 15-2-19
AZMEX EXTRA 15 FEB 2019
Note: Solidaridad a neighborhood in Nogales, Son.
photo at link.
Two armed men arrested in la Solidaridad.
Details Published on Thursday, February 14, 2019,
Written by César Barragán / El Diario
http://www.eldiariodesonora.com.mx/notas.php?nota=124924
Nogales, Son
Yesterday afternoon, members of the Municipal Police managed to arrest armed individuals who attempted to forcefully enter an address located in the Colonia Solidaridad in Nogales.
The police report indicates that this detention was recorded at 4:30 pm when the authorities were informed that on Calle Quinta, of the neighborhood in question was a black GMC Yukon, with armed persons and the covered faces that they wanted to enter by force in an address on the same street.
For this reason, preventive agents were deployed with several units to that place, while the C5 reported that the vehicle had moved, since it was located via camera, noting that they were on calle Doce y Sexta..
When arriving the units to the place, they observed that black wagon, model 2005, with license plates of Washington, (US) was manned by two men and looked to the interior of the vehicle, it was observed that the passenger had in his hands a long weapon so the agents asked him to get out of the vehicle.
It was thus that they managed to arrest the driver named Sergio N, 27 years old, originally from Sinaloa, and the companion named Felipe N, 30 years old, originally from Culiacán Sinaloa.
In the place the agents assured them a rifle, caliber 3.08 (?) without serial number and with its drum magazine with 13 cartridges and one in the chamber of the same caliber, also a fragmentation grenade, without brand, also seized the vehicle mentioned above and two portable radios.
The report of the authorities assures that the detainees and the armament and other material were put at the disposal of the corresponding federal authorities, being transferred to the facilities of the PGR of this city.
END
Note: Solidaridad a neighborhood in Nogales, Son.
photo at link.
Two armed men arrested in la Solidaridad.
Details Published on Thursday, February 14, 2019,
Written by César Barragán / El Diario
http://www.eldiariodesonora.com.mx/notas.php?nota=124924
Nogales, Son
Yesterday afternoon, members of the Municipal Police managed to arrest armed individuals who attempted to forcefully enter an address located in the Colonia Solidaridad in Nogales.
The police report indicates that this detention was recorded at 4:30 pm when the authorities were informed that on Calle Quinta, of the neighborhood in question was a black GMC Yukon, with armed persons and the covered faces that they wanted to enter by force in an address on the same street.
For this reason, preventive agents were deployed with several units to that place, while the C5 reported that the vehicle had moved, since it was located via camera, noting that they were on calle Doce y Sexta..
When arriving the units to the place, they observed that black wagon, model 2005, with license plates of Washington, (US) was manned by two men and looked to the interior of the vehicle, it was observed that the passenger had in his hands a long weapon so the agents asked him to get out of the vehicle.
It was thus that they managed to arrest the driver named Sergio N, 27 years old, originally from Sinaloa, and the companion named Felipe N, 30 years old, originally from Culiacán Sinaloa.
In the place the agents assured them a rifle, caliber 3.08 (?) without serial number and with its drum magazine with 13 cartridges and one in the chamber of the same caliber, also a fragmentation grenade, without brand, also seized the vehicle mentioned above and two portable radios.
The report of the authorities assures that the detainees and the armament and other material were put at the disposal of the corresponding federal authorities, being transferred to the facilities of the PGR of this city.
END
AZMEX SPECIAL 14-2-19
AZMEX SPECIAL 14 FEB 2019
'What comes in here ends up all over the country.' Pinal County deputies work undercover to stop drug smuggling in Arizona
In a stretch of desert in Pinal County, more than 70 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, law enforcement officers work under complete darkness to stop drugs from being smuggled into the U.S.
Author: Bianca Buono
Published: 11:25 PM MST February 12, 2019
Updated: 10:24 PM MST February 13, 2019
https://www.12news.com/article/news/investigations/what-comes-in-here-ends-up-all-over-the-country-pinal-county-deputies-work-undercover-to-stop-drug-smuggling-in-arizona/75-04c25926-553f-4680-a82e-3bda3cf7b5fd
It's just past 8 p.m., and the desert in Pinal County seems quiet.
But for Sgt. Christopher Martin of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, it's the start of a busy night.
He's part of the anti-smuggling unit, which works alongside
the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
and the Department of Homeland Security s
earching for drug smugglers—in this area more than 70 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The operation is aimed at stopping drugs from entering Arizona and ending up all over the rest of the country.
Operations like this happen overnight, so they're working in complete darkness with the aid of night vision.
We used our own thermal imaging camera to capture the action.
It doesn't take long before a group is spotted loading into a car.
"Group is on the move, they appear to be heading west," Martin said into his radio.
In only a matter of minutes, law enforcement officials noticed some suspicious activity and have four people detained.
Sign up for the daily Snapshot newsletter
The most interesting and talked-about stories from Arizona and beyond delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons!
PCSO said this first stop of the night involved undocumented immigrants picked up by a driver who is a U.S. citizen.
This time, there are no drugs. Martin said he regularly sees U.S. citizens trying to pick up undocumented immigrants.
As this group is detained, we're on the move again. Another group is spotted.
This time, law enforcement officers find a personal amount of cocaine and a gun.
"You just assume everybody's armed and or dangerous, and when they're not, that's just better," Martin said.
According to sheriff's officials, this desert area just 20 minutes south of Maricopa, along what's known as the I-8 corridor,
is one of the areas with the most drug trafficking activity in the Southwest.
"What comes in here ends up all over the country," Martin said.
Before making it into Arizona, those crossing the southern border illegally typically must cross the cartel first.
Carrying drugs is the fee they pay to be allowed to keep going.
"They can't just walk through the desert because the cartels own that portion of the corridor,
and if they want permission to come, that's how they're paying for passage.
It's really horrible if you think about it," Martin said.
This stretch of desert is the first piece of U.S. soil that is not Native American land, meaning it's the first opportunity for local law enforcement to step in.
Those who make it this far have been on foot for six days, oftentimes carrying bags of drugs weighing up to 40 pounds.
"Once that contraband gets out of our county and it's into the Phoenix metropolitan area, it's really a lot more difficult for that to be interdicted or keep out of our communities," Martin said.
"This is really kind of a bottleneck or a place where we can actually have an effect on what's coming in."
The most common drug passing through here is marijuana, but law enforcement experts say
after many states have legalized the drug, the cartel is changing its business.
"I think it's slowed down a little bit, and
I think there's more narcotics and fentanyl and methamphetamines coming through the desert than maybe we had in the past,"
Martin said.
Looking at the area in the daytime is when you find supplies.
"Here's the carpet shoes.
They just put them over top their boots," said Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb as he walked with us through the area.
Lamb says much like law enforcement is watching the desert, the cartel is watching them.
He said there are spotters working with the cartel hiding in nearly every mountain surrounding this desert.
"I'm sure they know we're here right now," Lamb said.
It's not just law enforcement the cartels are watching,
there's a problem with what are known as "rip crews"—local drug dealers who try to steal the cartel's load.
"Forty percent of all drugs in the United States come through Arizona," Lamb said.
Back during the night of the operation, police head off to track down a third group.
This time, officers detain seven undocumented immigrants.
A fourth group was able to get away but left several bundles of marijuana behind.
Sheriff Lamb says these operations aren't about immigration but drug smuggling and human exploitation.
And he says they will continue their operations until that stops.
"Why is it so important for you guys to be out here consistently making these types of stops?"
we asked Sgt. Christopher Martin.
"That's a big question. I mean, honestly, the people that bring the marijuana bring the hard drugs and other things,
and all you gotta do is watch the news to see the type of devastation it brings to our communities," he answered.
Once those groups were detained, they were turned over to the federal government's custody.
12 News reached out to Border Patrol to find out what they will be charged with, but so far, we have not heard back.
END
'What comes in here ends up all over the country.' Pinal County deputies work undercover to stop drug smuggling in Arizona
In a stretch of desert in Pinal County, more than 70 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, law enforcement officers work under complete darkness to stop drugs from being smuggled into the U.S.
Author: Bianca Buono
Published: 11:25 PM MST February 12, 2019
Updated: 10:24 PM MST February 13, 2019
https://www.12news.com/article/news/investigations/what-comes-in-here-ends-up-all-over-the-country-pinal-county-deputies-work-undercover-to-stop-drug-smuggling-in-arizona/75-04c25926-553f-4680-a82e-3bda3cf7b5fd
It's just past 8 p.m., and the desert in Pinal County seems quiet.
But for Sgt. Christopher Martin of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, it's the start of a busy night.
He's part of the anti-smuggling unit, which works alongside
the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
and the Department of Homeland Security s
earching for drug smugglers—in this area more than 70 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The operation is aimed at stopping drugs from entering Arizona and ending up all over the rest of the country.
Operations like this happen overnight, so they're working in complete darkness with the aid of night vision.
We used our own thermal imaging camera to capture the action.
It doesn't take long before a group is spotted loading into a car.
"Group is on the move, they appear to be heading west," Martin said into his radio.
In only a matter of minutes, law enforcement officials noticed some suspicious activity and have four people detained.
Sign up for the daily Snapshot newsletter
The most interesting and talked-about stories from Arizona and beyond delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons!
PCSO said this first stop of the night involved undocumented immigrants picked up by a driver who is a U.S. citizen.
This time, there are no drugs. Martin said he regularly sees U.S. citizens trying to pick up undocumented immigrants.
As this group is detained, we're on the move again. Another group is spotted.
This time, law enforcement officers find a personal amount of cocaine and a gun.
"You just assume everybody's armed and or dangerous, and when they're not, that's just better," Martin said.
According to sheriff's officials, this desert area just 20 minutes south of Maricopa, along what's known as the I-8 corridor,
is one of the areas with the most drug trafficking activity in the Southwest.
"What comes in here ends up all over the country," Martin said.
Before making it into Arizona, those crossing the southern border illegally typically must cross the cartel first.
Carrying drugs is the fee they pay to be allowed to keep going.
"They can't just walk through the desert because the cartels own that portion of the corridor,
and if they want permission to come, that's how they're paying for passage.
It's really horrible if you think about it," Martin said.
This stretch of desert is the first piece of U.S. soil that is not Native American land, meaning it's the first opportunity for local law enforcement to step in.
Those who make it this far have been on foot for six days, oftentimes carrying bags of drugs weighing up to 40 pounds.
"Once that contraband gets out of our county and it's into the Phoenix metropolitan area, it's really a lot more difficult for that to be interdicted or keep out of our communities," Martin said.
"This is really kind of a bottleneck or a place where we can actually have an effect on what's coming in."
The most common drug passing through here is marijuana, but law enforcement experts say
after many states have legalized the drug, the cartel is changing its business.
"I think it's slowed down a little bit, and
I think there's more narcotics and fentanyl and methamphetamines coming through the desert than maybe we had in the past,"
Martin said.
Looking at the area in the daytime is when you find supplies.
"Here's the carpet shoes.
They just put them over top their boots," said Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb as he walked with us through the area.
Lamb says much like law enforcement is watching the desert, the cartel is watching them.
He said there are spotters working with the cartel hiding in nearly every mountain surrounding this desert.
"I'm sure they know we're here right now," Lamb said.
It's not just law enforcement the cartels are watching,
there's a problem with what are known as "rip crews"—local drug dealers who try to steal the cartel's load.
"Forty percent of all drugs in the United States come through Arizona," Lamb said.
Back during the night of the operation, police head off to track down a third group.
This time, officers detain seven undocumented immigrants.
A fourth group was able to get away but left several bundles of marijuana behind.
Sheriff Lamb says these operations aren't about immigration but drug smuggling and human exploitation.
And he says they will continue their operations until that stops.
"Why is it so important for you guys to be out here consistently making these types of stops?"
we asked Sgt. Christopher Martin.
"That's a big question. I mean, honestly, the people that bring the marijuana bring the hard drugs and other things,
and all you gotta do is watch the news to see the type of devastation it brings to our communities," he answered.
Once those groups were detained, they were turned over to the federal government's custody.
12 News reached out to Border Patrol to find out what they will be charged with, but so far, we have not heard back.
END
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
AZMEX F&F UPDATE 13-2-19
AZMEX F&F UPDATE 13 FEB 2019
Murder conviction in killing of BP Agent Brian Terry
Closing arguments in trial of man charged with killing Brian Terry
Posted: 12:54 PM, Feb 12, 2019 Updated: 5:52 AM, Feb 13, 2019
By: Craig Smith
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/at-trial-border-patrol-agents-last-words-remembered
TUCSON, Ariz. — After only a short deliberation jurors convicted Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes on all counts in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian terry---according to Terry's sister Kelly Terry-Willis.
Brian Terry, according to release from the Department of Justice, Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes has been convicted of 9 counts and will be sentenced on April 29, 2019.
The counts are: first-degree murder, second degree murder, conspiracy to effect interstate commerce by robbery, attempted robbery, assault on four Border Patrol Agents and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
"Willie, I'm hit!" Those were Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry's call to a fellow agent as an elite team of Border Patrol Agents exchanged fire with a rip crew. Asked where he was hit, Terry said, "I don't know." A bullet from an AK-47 hit near Terry's spine. Fellow agents struggled to save him but could not.
Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes is a member of the group of bandits. He's now on trial in Terry's death.
Osorio's attorney has not disputed whether his client was in the desert the night of the shootout that killed Agent Terry but defense attorney Francisco Leon urged the jury to convict Osirio on the less serious charge of voluntary manslaughter, rather than first or second degree murder.
Leon says when the agents called out "Policia" out of the darkness, Osirio's group had no way to be sure they really were facing law enforcement and that they fired out of fear consistent with a voluntary manslaughter conviction.
Osorio and four other men were part of a rip crew—-bandits who wait in remote areas to steal drug loads from smugglers. The intent to steal is a key to the most severe charges in the case.
Prosecutor David Leshner told the jury even though drug smuggling is illegal it's still regarded as interstate commerce under the law, so attempting to rob smugglers qualifies as interfering with interstate commerce.
A killing associated with another crime allows prosecutors to press a first degreee murder charge.
Prosecutor Leshner said the rip crew would have known they might encounter Border Patrol and cited an incident two days before Terry's killing when the group ran from some agents.
But two days later they had acquired more supplies and five assault rifles.
It hasn't been mentioned in the case but guns from the rip crew were traced to Operation Fast and Furious, an attempt by the US Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives to trace guns to the drug cartels by allowing illegal gun sales and attempting to follow the guns to the cartels. ATF lost track of thousands of guns including weapons found at the scene of the firefight that killed Brian Terry.
END
Murder conviction in killing of BP Agent Brian Terry
Closing arguments in trial of man charged with killing Brian Terry
Posted: 12:54 PM, Feb 12, 2019 Updated: 5:52 AM, Feb 13, 2019
By: Craig Smith
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/at-trial-border-patrol-agents-last-words-remembered
TUCSON, Ariz. — After only a short deliberation jurors convicted Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes on all counts in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian terry---according to Terry's sister Kelly Terry-Willis.
Brian Terry, according to release from the Department of Justice, Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes has been convicted of 9 counts and will be sentenced on April 29, 2019.
The counts are: first-degree murder, second degree murder, conspiracy to effect interstate commerce by robbery, attempted robbery, assault on four Border Patrol Agents and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
"Willie, I'm hit!" Those were Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry's call to a fellow agent as an elite team of Border Patrol Agents exchanged fire with a rip crew. Asked where he was hit, Terry said, "I don't know." A bullet from an AK-47 hit near Terry's spine. Fellow agents struggled to save him but could not.
Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes is a member of the group of bandits. He's now on trial in Terry's death.
Osorio's attorney has not disputed whether his client was in the desert the night of the shootout that killed Agent Terry but defense attorney Francisco Leon urged the jury to convict Osirio on the less serious charge of voluntary manslaughter, rather than first or second degree murder.
Leon says when the agents called out "Policia" out of the darkness, Osirio's group had no way to be sure they really were facing law enforcement and that they fired out of fear consistent with a voluntary manslaughter conviction.
Osorio and four other men were part of a rip crew—-bandits who wait in remote areas to steal drug loads from smugglers. The intent to steal is a key to the most severe charges in the case.
Prosecutor David Leshner told the jury even though drug smuggling is illegal it's still regarded as interstate commerce under the law, so attempting to rob smugglers qualifies as interfering with interstate commerce.
A killing associated with another crime allows prosecutors to press a first degreee murder charge.
Prosecutor Leshner said the rip crew would have known they might encounter Border Patrol and cited an incident two days before Terry's killing when the group ran from some agents.
But two days later they had acquired more supplies and five assault rifles.
It hasn't been mentioned in the case but guns from the rip crew were traced to Operation Fast and Furious, an attempt by the US Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives to trace guns to the drug cartels by allowing illegal gun sales and attempting to follow the guns to the cartels. ATF lost track of thousands of guns including weapons found at the scene of the firefight that killed Brian Terry.
END
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
NM-MEX POLICY 12-2-19
NM - Mex POLICY 12 FEB 2019
NM House speaker rejects petition to impeach Gov. Lujan Grisham for treason
Posted: Feb 12, 2019 01:09 PM MST
Updated: Feb 12, 2019 01:09 PM MST
https://www.kvia.com/news/new-mexico/nm-house-speaker-rejects-petition-to-impeach-gov-lujan-grisham-for-treason/1015076565
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The Democratic speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives says there is no way
he would initiate impeachment proceedings against the state's governor
for withdrawing troops from the border with Mexico.
An online petition seeks to impeach Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for treason in withdrawing
about 100 New Mexico National Guard troops and has garnered more than 30,000 signatures.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Brian Egolf of Santa Fe said "no way, forget about it"
regarding prospects for impeachment proceedings. He holds the authority to initiate House investigations.
Lujan Grisham has challenged President Trump's description of a security crisis on the border,
while leaving about a dozen national guardsmen at the border to address humanitarian needs
in a remote corridor for border-crossing immigration.
Impeachment in New Mexico requires a majority vote of all House members.
A subsequent Senate trial requires a two-thirds majority to convict.
As of Tuesday, more than 30,000 people had endorsed the online petition that urges a
Republican state legislator to charge Lujan Grisham with treason for aiding illegal entry into the country.
Lujan Grisham has ordered all but a dozen New Mexico National Guard troops to return from the border
in a move that challenges President Trump's description of a security crisis.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also has ordered the withdrawal of most state National Guard troops from the border.
The creator of the impeachment petition against Lujan Grisham identified himself as John Daniel of Ruidoso.
He could not immediately be reached.
END
BP detains group of 311 migrants who entered US via gap in border barrier near Sunland Park
Posted: Feb 12, 2019 02:53 PM MST
Updated: Feb 12, 2019 02:53 PM MST
https://www.kvia.com/news/border/bp-detains-group-of-311-migrants-who-entered-us-via-gap-in-border-barrier-near-sunland-park/1015252351
Photo Courtesy U.S. Border Patrol
SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico - U.S. Border Patrol Agents from the Santa Teresa Station
discoverd a group of 311 Central American migrants entering the U.S. illegally at Sunland Park, New Mexico.
The group was detained shortly before midnight on Monday, February 11, 2019.
Border Patrol Agents working near Mt. Cristo Rey noticed the large group make its way
"around the pedestrian fence in Sunland Park and took them in to custody."
"Though this trend has been a constant in the Antelope Wells area of New Mexico,
this is the first large group that has been encountered in this area this fiscal year," the Border Patrol said.
As with the previous groups encountered in Antelope Wells, the Border Patrol
said this group was comprised primarily of Central American families and unaccompanied juveniles.
The group was transported to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station for processing.
Earlier in the day, Border Patrol agents at Antelope wells apprehended a group of 330 migrants
who entered the U.S. illegally.
END
NM House speaker rejects petition to impeach Gov. Lujan Grisham for treason
Posted: Feb 12, 2019 01:09 PM MST
Updated: Feb 12, 2019 01:09 PM MST
https://www.kvia.com/news/new-mexico/nm-house-speaker-rejects-petition-to-impeach-gov-lujan-grisham-for-treason/1015076565
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The Democratic speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives says there is no way
he would initiate impeachment proceedings against the state's governor
for withdrawing troops from the border with Mexico.
An online petition seeks to impeach Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for treason in withdrawing
about 100 New Mexico National Guard troops and has garnered more than 30,000 signatures.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Brian Egolf of Santa Fe said "no way, forget about it"
regarding prospects for impeachment proceedings. He holds the authority to initiate House investigations.
Lujan Grisham has challenged President Trump's description of a security crisis on the border,
while leaving about a dozen national guardsmen at the border to address humanitarian needs
in a remote corridor for border-crossing immigration.
Impeachment in New Mexico requires a majority vote of all House members.
A subsequent Senate trial requires a two-thirds majority to convict.
As of Tuesday, more than 30,000 people had endorsed the online petition that urges a
Republican state legislator to charge Lujan Grisham with treason for aiding illegal entry into the country.
Lujan Grisham has ordered all but a dozen New Mexico National Guard troops to return from the border
in a move that challenges President Trump's description of a security crisis.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also has ordered the withdrawal of most state National Guard troops from the border.
The creator of the impeachment petition against Lujan Grisham identified himself as John Daniel of Ruidoso.
He could not immediately be reached.
END
BP detains group of 311 migrants who entered US via gap in border barrier near Sunland Park
Posted: Feb 12, 2019 02:53 PM MST
Updated: Feb 12, 2019 02:53 PM MST
https://www.kvia.com/news/border/bp-detains-group-of-311-migrants-who-entered-us-via-gap-in-border-barrier-near-sunland-park/1015252351
Photo Courtesy U.S. Border Patrol
SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico - U.S. Border Patrol Agents from the Santa Teresa Station
discoverd a group of 311 Central American migrants entering the U.S. illegally at Sunland Park, New Mexico.
The group was detained shortly before midnight on Monday, February 11, 2019.
Border Patrol Agents working near Mt. Cristo Rey noticed the large group make its way
"around the pedestrian fence in Sunland Park and took them in to custody."
"Though this trend has been a constant in the Antelope Wells area of New Mexico,
this is the first large group that has been encountered in this area this fiscal year," the Border Patrol said.
As with the previous groups encountered in Antelope Wells, the Border Patrol
said this group was comprised primarily of Central American families and unaccompanied juveniles.
The group was transported to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station for processing.
Earlier in the day, Border Patrol agents at Antelope wells apprehended a group of 330 migrants
who entered the U.S. illegally.
END
Saturday, February 9, 2019
AZMEX UPDATE2 8-2-19
AZMEX UPDATE2 8 FEB 2019
Note: Ángel Mendívil Pérez, de 24 años de edad, originario de Tucson Arizona,
Officials say man shot at border is alive
Posted: 10:27 AM, Feb 08, 2019 Updated: 13 minutes ago
By: Associated Press
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/officials-say-man-shot-at-border-is-alive
Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Photo by: Villarreal, Phil
NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) - A U.S.-Mexico border crossing in Arizona has reopened following a shooting
in which U.S. Customs and Border Protection says a CBP officer shot the driver of a vehicle attempting to cross into Mexico.
The mayor of Nogales, Arizona, had told a newspaper Thursday night that the wounded man was killed
but CBP spokeswoman Teresa Small told The Associated Press on Friday he wasn't dead.
CBP planned to release additional information Friday.
A CBP statement Thursday night said the driver was taken to a hospital in Nogales, Sonora,
but did not provide his condition.
Reports say Nogales Mayor Arturo Garino said the shooting took place after the driver refused to stop
and tried to run over the CBP officer.
END
U.S. CBP seizes drugs and firearms in six-day period at Presidio (Texas) port of entry
by Erika Esquivel
Friday, February 8th 2019
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/us-cbp-seizes-drugs-and-firearms-in-six-day-period-at-presidio-port-of-entry
U.S. CBP seizes drugs and firearms in six-day period at Presidio port of entry
presidio 3.JPGpresidio 2.JPG
VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
3 photos
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized drugs and firearms
within a six-day period at the Presidio port of entry.
The officers seized 15 pounds of cocaine, 45 pounds of meth and 31 firearms during the six-day period.
CBP said the street value of the drugs is $389,000 and market value of the weapons is $14,675.
The first seizure was made at 9:30 p.m. on Friday when a 36-year-old Mexican citizen man driver applied for entry at the primary inspection station driving a 2011 Dodge Journey.
The vehicle was referred for an X-ray exam where anomalies were observed in the dashboard of the vehicle.
Officers removed six foil-wrapped bundles which tested positive for cocaine.
The second seizure occurred on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. when a 1993 Chevy Silverado
driven by a 62-year-old Mexican citizen arrived at the primary inspection booth.
The vehicle was referred for an X-ray exam and anomalies were observed in the spare tire of the vehicle.
After dismantling the spare tire, officers removed 50 bundles containing a substance which tested positive for methamphetamine.
On Wednesday CBP officers were conducting outbound operations when a 2006 Ford F-250 pickup
towing a 2011 Ford E-350 passenger van and driven by a 54-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen was selected
for an intensive inspection.
Inspection of the van resulted in the discovery of a non-factory compartment in the firewall of the vehicle.
Visual inspection of the inside of the compartment revealed a number of weapons in vacuum-sealed bags.
A total of 31 automatic ( semiautomatic ? ) handguns and 48 assorted magazines were removed from the compartment.
CBP officers arrested the three individuals who were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
End
Note: Ángel Mendívil Pérez, de 24 años de edad, originario de Tucson Arizona,
Officials say man shot at border is alive
Posted: 10:27 AM, Feb 08, 2019 Updated: 13 minutes ago
By: Associated Press
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/officials-say-man-shot-at-border-is-alive
Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Photo by: Villarreal, Phil
NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) - A U.S.-Mexico border crossing in Arizona has reopened following a shooting
in which U.S. Customs and Border Protection says a CBP officer shot the driver of a vehicle attempting to cross into Mexico.
The mayor of Nogales, Arizona, had told a newspaper Thursday night that the wounded man was killed
but CBP spokeswoman Teresa Small told The Associated Press on Friday he wasn't dead.
CBP planned to release additional information Friday.
A CBP statement Thursday night said the driver was taken to a hospital in Nogales, Sonora,
but did not provide his condition.
Reports say Nogales Mayor Arturo Garino said the shooting took place after the driver refused to stop
and tried to run over the CBP officer.
END
U.S. CBP seizes drugs and firearms in six-day period at Presidio (Texas) port of entry
by Erika Esquivel
Friday, February 8th 2019
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/us-cbp-seizes-drugs-and-firearms-in-six-day-period-at-presidio-port-of-entry
U.S. CBP seizes drugs and firearms in six-day period at Presidio port of entry
presidio 3.JPGpresidio 2.JPG
VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
3 photos
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized drugs and firearms
within a six-day period at the Presidio port of entry.
The officers seized 15 pounds of cocaine, 45 pounds of meth and 31 firearms during the six-day period.
CBP said the street value of the drugs is $389,000 and market value of the weapons is $14,675.
The first seizure was made at 9:30 p.m. on Friday when a 36-year-old Mexican citizen man driver applied for entry at the primary inspection station driving a 2011 Dodge Journey.
The vehicle was referred for an X-ray exam where anomalies were observed in the dashboard of the vehicle.
Officers removed six foil-wrapped bundles which tested positive for cocaine.
The second seizure occurred on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. when a 1993 Chevy Silverado
driven by a 62-year-old Mexican citizen arrived at the primary inspection booth.
The vehicle was referred for an X-ray exam and anomalies were observed in the spare tire of the vehicle.
After dismantling the spare tire, officers removed 50 bundles containing a substance which tested positive for methamphetamine.
On Wednesday CBP officers were conducting outbound operations when a 2006 Ford F-250 pickup
towing a 2011 Ford E-350 passenger van and driven by a 54-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen was selected
for an intensive inspection.
Inspection of the van resulted in the discovery of a non-factory compartment in the firewall of the vehicle.
Visual inspection of the inside of the compartment revealed a number of weapons in vacuum-sealed bags.
A total of 31 automatic ( semiautomatic ? ) handguns and 48 assorted magazines were removed from the compartment.
CBP officers arrested the three individuals who were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
End
Friday, February 8, 2019
AZVEN UPDATE2 8-2-19
AZVEN UPDATE2 8 FEB 2019
NOTE; Photos, graphics, etc. at link.
From the BBC. "Lorries" means trucks. As the Brits have problems with the "English" language.
Thx
Venezuela crisis: Aid lorries stuck in Colombia border city
4 hours ago
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47166680
Lorries with humanitarian aid drive past a Colombian policeman to the Tienditas Bridge on the border between Colombia and Venezuela. Photo: 7 February 2019Image copyrightAFP/GETTY IMAGES
Image caption
Several lorries with food and medicine are now at a collection centre in Cúcuta, Colombia
The first lorries with US humanitarian aid for Venezuela have arrived in the Colombian border city of Cúcuta.
The vehicles are currently parked near the Tienditas bridge, which remains blocked by Venezuelan troops.
President Nicolás Maduro, who has the support of the army, has rejected letting it into the country.
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who has declared himself interim president, has warned many Venezuelans are in danger of dying without international aid.
The bridge of desperation
Why the military is backing Maduro
Mr Guaidó is head of Venezuela's National Assembly and says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate.
He has secured the backing of over 40 countries, including the US and most Latin American and European nations. Mr Maduro still has the support of China and Russia.
In other developments:
The US announced new sanctions on members of the Maduro administration, saying visas for members of the government-controlled Constituent Assembly would be revoked
European and Latin American members of the so-called International Contact Group said it was crucial to restore full democracy in Venezuela, saying they would push for new elections as soon as possible
What's the latest on the US humanitarian aid?
On Thursday, several lorries with food and medicine arrived at a collection centre in Cúcuta.
The vehicles were escorted by Colombian police motorcycles.
The blocked Tienditas border bridge. Photo: 6 FebruaryImage copyrightAFP/GETTY IMAGES
Image caption
The Venezuelan military has placed a tanker lorry across the Tienditas border bridge
It was not immediately clear how the humanitarian aid would be delivered across the border.
The Venezuelan military had earlier placed cargo containers and a tanker lorry across the Tienditas bridge, which connects Cúcuta and the city of Ureña in Venezuela.
Media captionWho is really in charge in Venezuela?
Mr Maduro has refused foreign aid supplies, saying they would open the way for US military intervention to oust him.
He said that "no-one will enter, not one invading soldier".
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is demanding that Venezuela re-open the bridge, saying "the Maduro regime must let the aid reach the starving people".
The 'colectivo' groups supporting Maduro
A number of Venezuelan leaders have also appealed to the military to allow the aid lorries to cross into the country.
How could the aid scheme work?
Mr Guaidó does not control any territory in Venezuela so, instead, he is planning to set up collection centres in neighbouring countries to which Venezuelans have fled. ( about 2 million?)
He said he wanted to set up an international coalition to gather aid at three points, and press Venezuela's army to let it into the country.
In a tweet last Sunday, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said plans were being advanced.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said in an interview the use of military force remained "an option".
In his Tuesday State of the Union speech, he reiterated his support for Mr Guaidó, saying:
"We stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom."
What's the background to the crisis?
Venezuela has suffered economic turmoil for years, with hyperinflation and shortages of essentials such as food and medicine. Millions have fled.
Media captionWhy Venezuela matters to the US... and vice versa
In January, Mr Maduro was sworn in for a second term following disputed elections which many opposition leaders did not contest because they were in jail or boycotting them.
Mr Guaidó, who is head of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself president on 23 January.
He says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate. On Saturday he said protests would continue until his supporters had achieved "freedom".
END
More: another look at socialism.
https://news.sky.com/story/desperate-venezuelans-sell-hair-on-border-as-military-blocks-us-aid-from-crossing-bridge-11631135
end
NOTE; Photos, graphics, etc. at link.
From the BBC. "Lorries" means trucks. As the Brits have problems with the "English" language.
Thx
Venezuela crisis: Aid lorries stuck in Colombia border city
4 hours ago
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47166680
Lorries with humanitarian aid drive past a Colombian policeman to the Tienditas Bridge on the border between Colombia and Venezuela. Photo: 7 February 2019Image copyrightAFP/GETTY IMAGES
Image caption
Several lorries with food and medicine are now at a collection centre in Cúcuta, Colombia
The first lorries with US humanitarian aid for Venezuela have arrived in the Colombian border city of Cúcuta.
The vehicles are currently parked near the Tienditas bridge, which remains blocked by Venezuelan troops.
President Nicolás Maduro, who has the support of the army, has rejected letting it into the country.
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who has declared himself interim president, has warned many Venezuelans are in danger of dying without international aid.
The bridge of desperation
Why the military is backing Maduro
Mr Guaidó is head of Venezuela's National Assembly and says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate.
He has secured the backing of over 40 countries, including the US and most Latin American and European nations. Mr Maduro still has the support of China and Russia.
In other developments:
The US announced new sanctions on members of the Maduro administration, saying visas for members of the government-controlled Constituent Assembly would be revoked
European and Latin American members of the so-called International Contact Group said it was crucial to restore full democracy in Venezuela, saying they would push for new elections as soon as possible
What's the latest on the US humanitarian aid?
On Thursday, several lorries with food and medicine arrived at a collection centre in Cúcuta.
The vehicles were escorted by Colombian police motorcycles.
The blocked Tienditas border bridge. Photo: 6 FebruaryImage copyrightAFP/GETTY IMAGES
Image caption
The Venezuelan military has placed a tanker lorry across the Tienditas border bridge
It was not immediately clear how the humanitarian aid would be delivered across the border.
The Venezuelan military had earlier placed cargo containers and a tanker lorry across the Tienditas bridge, which connects Cúcuta and the city of Ureña in Venezuela.
Media captionWho is really in charge in Venezuela?
Mr Maduro has refused foreign aid supplies, saying they would open the way for US military intervention to oust him.
He said that "no-one will enter, not one invading soldier".
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is demanding that Venezuela re-open the bridge, saying "the Maduro regime must let the aid reach the starving people".
The 'colectivo' groups supporting Maduro
A number of Venezuelan leaders have also appealed to the military to allow the aid lorries to cross into the country.
How could the aid scheme work?
Mr Guaidó does not control any territory in Venezuela so, instead, he is planning to set up collection centres in neighbouring countries to which Venezuelans have fled. ( about 2 million?)
He said he wanted to set up an international coalition to gather aid at three points, and press Venezuela's army to let it into the country.
In a tweet last Sunday, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said plans were being advanced.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said in an interview the use of military force remained "an option".
In his Tuesday State of the Union speech, he reiterated his support for Mr Guaidó, saying:
"We stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom."
What's the background to the crisis?
Venezuela has suffered economic turmoil for years, with hyperinflation and shortages of essentials such as food and medicine. Millions have fled.
Media captionWhy Venezuela matters to the US... and vice versa
In January, Mr Maduro was sworn in for a second term following disputed elections which many opposition leaders did not contest because they were in jail or boycotting them.
Mr Guaidó, who is head of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself president on 23 January.
He says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate. On Saturday he said protests would continue until his supporters had achieved "freedom".
END
More: another look at socialism.
https://news.sky.com/story/desperate-venezuelans-sell-hair-on-border-as-military-blocks-us-aid-from-crossing-bridge-11631135
end
AZVEN UPDATE 8-2-19
AZVEN UPDATE 8 FEB 2019
Note: From the Mexican newspaper La Jornada
Very long computer translation.
As with his late comrade Fidel Castro, many, many words come from el burro Maduro .
The humanitarian crisis "a farce"? Causing couple million Venezuelans to flee ?
Gracias
Interview with Maduro: we have 2 million militiamen to defend ourselves
Luis Hernández Navarro,
sent | Thursday, 07 Feb 2019 07:15
https://www.jornada.com.mx/ultimas/2019/02/07/venezuela-sera-un-nuevo-vietnam-si-la-invade-eu-maduro-2138.html
"Donald Trump is obsessed with Venezuela. With the arrival of his team of extremists to the White House began the total confrontation through sanctions, financial persecution and calls to overthrow, "affirmed President Nicolás Maduro in an interview with 'La Jornada'. Photo Zurimar Campos
Caracas.
In the worst crisis since he assumed the presidency of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro believes that the right's attempt to form a parallel government in his country is an expression of the conflict between Venezuela's independence and sovereignty and US imperial intent. to recolonize that nation.
In an exclusive interview with La Jornada, the Bolivarian leader rejects that Venezuela is a dictatorship, human rights are violated or there is a humanitarian crisis. According to him, the politicians who are now imprisoned are the organizers of a violent coup d'état, who murdered, burned alive many people and destroyed property. The vast majority of the media, he says, are in private hands, most of them oppositional. And the so-called humanitarian crisis is a show set up by the Southern Command to justify a military intervention.
Present at the inauguration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the Venezuelan leader says he did not attend the inauguration ceremony in the Chamber of Deputies to avoid an aggression against him that would have covered the historical character of the triumph of the Mexican politician.
Nicolás Maduro assures that, in the event that the United States bets to intervene militarily in his country, a new Vietnam will be created in Latin America. Venezuela is morally ready to respond to the aggression. His army is united and allied with the people. Trump's aggressions - he says - seek to appropriate Venezuelan oil.
This is the full version of the interview with Maduro, which La Jornada did at the Miraflores Palace on February 5.
-President, today it was announced that you sent a letter to Pope Francis proposing that he play a role in the mediation of the conflict. Can we know what else I said in that letter?
- First, he thanked him for his permanent prayers for peace in Venezuela and asked him to help us in facilitating a national dialogue. The Vatican already helped us in one phase in 2016. It means that you know the land well here in Venezuela. I believe that the moral authority of the Pope can help a lot for a dialogue that is constructive, with an open agenda. I'm waiting for your answer soon.
- However, the National Assembly said that it rejects any dialogue or contact group that extends the suffering of the people. That is, disqualifies any possibility of dialogue.
- Yes, the Venezuelan coup right has rejected the mechanisms of dialogue that the international community is ventilating. Two days ago, the US government, the government of Donald Trump, had already said: no to dialogue. And yesterday, the Lima cartel, this group of right-wing intolerant governments, also said no to dialogue. It is an irrational, foolish position. It is an unnatural position, because the natural thing in politics is dialogue, the word, the conversation.
"I insist: yes to dialogue, yes to dialogue and yes to dialogue. And sooner rather than later, with the help of the government of Mexico, of Uruguay, of the 14 Caribbean governments in the Caricom, of Bolivia, of the contact group of the European Union - and hopefully also of the Vatican - we are going to sit in a dialogue table. I'm sure it will be so."
The attitude of Mexico, diplomatically correct
-What opinion do you deserve the attitude and position of the Mexican government?
-The Mexican government has had a diplomatically correct attitude, which is to respect Venezuela, not meddle in its internal affairs. And, according to President López Obrador, he has rescued the spirit of the Mexican Constitution and the Mexican diplomatic tradition, so admired in the world, of non-interventionism, of dialogue. I think he's playing a big role in this historic moment
-You went to the inauguration of President López Obrador, but he did not come to the ceremony in Congress, but to the food. What was that for?
-That was expressly. We knew that the right wing had prepared a show to attack me, physically even, and that the news was the physical aggression against Maduro. And if something like this had happened, I would have reacted, because I am a man of the people. If someone physically assaults me, I will respond, I do not care about the surname and the pelucón (the fifí) or that it is from the right. I do not care. I tell you, I have blood from the Caribbean and wanted a show to cover the historical character of the change that has begun in Mexico with President López Obrador. And since I do not fall into provocations or create provocations, I simply decided to go to the presidential palace directly to greet President López Obrador.
I got a big surprise in the Zócalo. Thousands of people welcomed us with songs, with slogans, with posters, with greetings. I think that the entire campaign against us on the occasion of the inauguration was reversed. It generated an interest and sympathy from the Mexican people that we appreciate.
-As a justification for the offensive against him, it is claimed that in Venezuela human rights are violated, that people are persecuted, that there are political prisoners, that there is no freedom of opinion. There are reports from different international human rights organizations that document some of these signs. That's right?
-In 20 years of revolution we have been victims of permanent aggression by the United States and its internal oligarchic allies. In particular, in my six years of the first government, I have been the victim of several violent attempts to bring the country into civil war and to overthrow the government. One of them was in 2014. Another was in 2017, with the so-called guarimbas (violent blockades of communication routes). I have suffered several attacks. On August 4, 2018, they perpetrated a direct attack against me with drones.
"The Venezuelan justice has acted. Those responsible for the murder of several people, of violence, of the physical destruction of cities are being detained. Those directly responsible for the attempt to kill me with drones are detained. But the United States and its global manipulation say that those directly responsible for violent crimes who are being prosecuted and are being detained are political prisoners. The truth is that they are individuals who have committed crimes against people, against property, who have tried to overthrow the legitimate government.
Anyway, here in Venezuela there is a Truth and Justice Commission that has the investigation of all these crimes, of this whole situation. Recently that commission issued a set of decisions, orders and some of these people involved in these crimes were given procedural benefits. They are free. Perhaps those who are still detained are those who have committed crimes of homicide, they have burned people alive. Perhaps those responsible for the most serious crimes are those who remain in the hands of justice.
-It is also pointed out that Venezuela is a dictatorship, that there are no freedoms, that the press is controlled by the State. Is that true?
- I can give you several details of the broad freedoms that exist in Venezuela. First, the situation of national television stations. Seventy-five percent are private, and I could tell you that all the private television stations in the country are opposing. Of the written press, 80 percent of national and regional publications are private, and I could tell you that they are all opposing. More than 70 by the way radios in the country are in private hands, and all are opposing.
"Social networks are controlled on an international scale. In Venezuela there is Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp. Everyone uses them. And I can tell you that 80 percent of the advertising and information that runs directly on all social networks are open and totally opposing. They are data that is good to specify.
"To say that Venezuela is a dictatorship is an offense to the Venezuelan people. Venezuela has an educational, cultural level and sufficient democratic maturity. It is enough to walk around any town or city and see the permanent debate that exists about Venezuela. In any case, the accusation of dictatorship is part of the script that the US empire has always used to label, stigmatize independent countries, governments that do not obey. It serves to justify anything. Because if in Venezuela, as they say, there is a dictatorship, then anything is possible: a coup d'état, an assassination, an invasion.
Simply, the accusation that Venezuela is a dictatorship is part of the false stigmas with which they have tried to label the Bolivarian revolution.
The humanitarian crisis, a farce
-It is said that in Venezuela there is a humanitarian crisis of great proportions, that there is hunger, that there is a shortage of medicines, that the migration of Venezuelans, not only to Spain or Miami, but to many Latin American countries, is an unstoppable hemorrhage . Is it true that there is such a humanitarian crisis?
-The humanitarian crisis is a sham. Venezuela has problems, like any other country. Moreover, in some cases we do not have some problems that have countries where neoliberalism governs. But all the mounting of the humanitarian crisis comes from the Southern Command of the United States since 2014.
"Why fool a humanitarian crisis fabricated at the media level? To justify a 'humanitarian intervention', in quotes.
"Venezuela has high rates of employment. Last year we closed again with 6 percent unemployment. Sixty percent of employment in Venezuela is formal, protected, we have advanced. Venezuela has a social security system that protects one hundred percent of its pensioners. Venezuela has over 90 percent of education in initial, basic, secondary, and university education. Eighty percent of our global education is public, free, of quality.
Venezuela has a program called CLAP (Local Supply and Production Committees) that reaches 6 million homes, 24 million Venezuelans. The food is permanent and, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, we have very high levels of nutrition. Venezuela has a program called Barrio Adentro en Salud, which brings 30,000 doctors to the communities. You in your neighborhood, in your community, you have a doctor, you have access to medicine. In the three recent years, because of the sanctions, we have had problems to import food, to import medicines. Yes, we have had them, and we are already solving them effectively. But a humanitarian crisis has not existed nor will it exist in Venezuela.
Donald Trump is obsessed with Venezuela
- You have denounced that behind the attempt to impose a president in charge is the hand of the United States. Why does it say that? What evidence does it have?
- Good, because the attitude of the government of the United States to call to the overthrow of the constitutional government that I preside is open and vulgar. It is, above all, since the extremists of Donald Trump arrived at the White House. It has been a stage of total confrontation, of sanctions, of financial persecution, of calls for a military coup, of direct conspiracy in the gringo embassy in Venezuela.
"Donald Trump is obsessed with Venezuela. His team calls itself the Venezuela team. John Bolton, Security Adviser; Mike Pompeo, secretary of state, and Mike Pence, vice president, call themselves the Venezuela team. Every day they tweet, write, declare, calling for an open coup.
"It's not that they dissimulate it. Recently, The Wall Street Journal published the information on how the whole issue of trying to impose a parallel government, a false government, was created. And it was created in Washington, it was financed in Washington, it was imposed from Washington.
"For months before, in September, The New York Times and The Washington Post drew evidence of the participation of the United States government, directly from the White House, in a military coup attempt in the months of March and April, which we We neutralize and defeat. They gave details of who conspired, who paid, where they paid. These testimonies and statements are sufficient evidence of the imperialist obsession they have.
"Last Sunday Donald Trump threatened us once again with an invasion, with sending the US Army to take Venezuela. And I have been asking: what is the casus belli (reason for war)? Venezuela is not a threat to the United States. Venezuela does not have weapons of mass destruction targeting the United States. No, his casus belli is Venezuelan oil, the wealth of Venezuela. And that, in 20 years, they have not been able to defeat the Bolivarian revolution by any means. Neither by the electoral route, neither by political, diplomatic, nor by coup d'etat.
I believe that the United States government is entering a phase of great despair and is becoming increasingly dangerous. So the solidarity of the world, of people who want peace, of people who want to stop a new Vietnam, this time in South America, is very important. Venezuela would become a Vietnam if one day Donald Trump sends the US Army to attack us.
Are you ready for a US military intervention?
-Venezuela is morally prepared to reject threats of the use of force. And we and our Bolivarian National Armed Force, our Bolivarian city, our weapons system and our people, in civic-military union, we prepare ourselves with the concept of war of all the people, war of resistance, to give a forceful response to any possibility of military aggression.
We hope it never happens. We hope that the truth of Venezuela will be imposed, the diplomatic way, and that the conscience of peace in the people of the United States will turn the will and the madness to Donald Trump. We hope peace reigns. But, meanwhile, we prepare to defend our sacred land, as everyone would defend it.
-You have reported that they have militias grouped with 2 million members. Do these militias have a territorial or union organization? Do they have direct control of weapons? Have they received military training?
-Yes, we have the Bolivarian National Armed Force that has four components. The Bolivarian Army, with a territorial distribution, a very powerful weapons system. The Bolivarian Navy, which has also been strengthening its weapons system. The Bolivarian Military Aviation, also with a good system to take care of our country, and the Bolivarian National Guard, which is a force of public order. And, in addition, Comandante Chávez created the Bolivarian National Militia as a fifth element that strengthens and integrates the four constitutional components.
"The militia has reached one million 600 thousand citizens. On April 13 this year we will reach 2 million. They are organized in popular defense units, which group a number of 20 or 30 militiamen per territory. They have military training, they have an operational plan, they know what to do in any scenario. And, in addition, they have access, and each time they will have more access, to the national weapons system. This means that Venezuela has 2 million militiamen and militia integrated for a war of resistance, a war of all the people, which would make it unbearable, it would make a hell of an invading force that goes to Venezuela.
We want peace. All our armed force and our militia have only one slogan: to win peace. Our victory is peace and so we will continue.
-The opposition accuses them of having paramilitary groups. According to them, the groups are civilian armed groups at the service of Chavism. Is that true?
-The collective calls are a form of voluntary popular organization, very typical of the Bolivarian revolution. They are an extraparty form of the popular movement. There are thousands in Venezuela. They organize people around some goal. The majority of the groups in the country are in the productive, business, and agro-productive areas, where they produce tens of tons of food. Or they are in the area of culture, of cultural resistance, of music, of art, of muralism. And they are also in the political area.
The right is very afraid of the collectives because they are very revolutionary groups, very radical. They are very honest people. They have tried to stigmatize them as paramilitaries but it is totally false. That does not mean that there is no collective that suddenly stimulates training for national defense. Surely there is one or two of these groups around here. But the fundamental thing of the collectives is that they are a form of organization of the cultural movement.
- And the right does have paramilitary groups?
-The right has had violent groups that have led the guarimbas.Durante all these years has had groups to attempt against barracks. And it has groups that express themselves through social networks, which say they have weapons, they cover their faces and they say they are already in a line of war, for a civil war. It has not been able with these groups to disturb the life and the internal peace of the country, but they declare it and they have it. They are elements of risk that you have to know how to control.
It's not about the cold war
-You place the current attempted coup as a dispute for national sovereignty against imperialist intervention. However, some people see conflict as a fight between powers. They claim that behind the government of Nicolás Maduro are China and Russia, which intend to establish a beachhead in Latin America. Is that interpretation correct?
-That is an interpretation scheme of the Cold War, where all the conflicts seemed to have behind the confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States. But it is not our case. The Venezuelan conflict is 200 years old. It exists before the Soviet Union or the Russian Federation existed, or the existence of the People's Republic of China. It comes from Bolívar.
"It is the conflict between the independence ideas of freedom and sovereignty of our liberators versus the imperialist ideas. If one reviews the ideology, the political practice of the liberators, of Bolivar, finds that they sought to create a block of free, independent nations that did not oppress any nation in the world and that built their own political, social, economic, cultural model .
"On the other hand, if you review the project, the form, the practice of those who founded the United States, of the old 13 colonies, you will find how they directly inherited the entire British imperial vision. They never helped the independence of the South. They were against the independence struggle. Moreover, they sold arms, sold accoutrements and supported the Spanish imperial army against the liberators.
"It's a conflict in a story that comes from afar, 200 years ago. We today say that our conflict is between the independence of Venezuela, the sovereignty of Venezuela and the attempt to recolonize the US empire. The center of the conflict is that of the new independence of Latin America versus the attempt of domination and of a new slavery against our people. "
-What is your road map to face the current conflict? It seems that what the Venezuelan right wants today, apart from establishing a parallel government and gaining legitimacy in the international arena, is to mount a provocation around humanitarian aid that justifies a foreign military intervention. What are the steps that you plan to take to avoid such a scenario?
-The steps we are taking are linked to the Constitution. Our road map is the Constitution.
"In the first place, to govern the country, to attend to the problems of our people, to implement the plan of the homeland 2019-2025 in all areas. Today we launched the Great Mission Transportation Venezuela. A great project that aims to transform the entire public transportation system in the country.
"Second, to defend peace, peace with justice, I say, peace with equality, peace with independence. And promote all forms of political dialogue and political negotiation to establish a lasting peace.
"Third, maintain the civic-military union: Our strength is our armed force, our Bolivarian city and its unitary capacity to manage national defense.
"Fourthly, defend ourselves diplomatically, politically, mediatically from all the aggressions of the imperialist government of Donald Trump. The operation called 'humanitarian aid' is a show, a cheap show, a bad show. We will take care of it, rest assured that it will not disturb Venezuela. These shows are diluted, they dissolve with the Venezuelan reality. "
- Is there a danger of an army rupture?
- Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested to divide the Bolivarian National Armed Forces. I can tell you, being in direct contact with the Venezuelan soldiers, who today are more united than ever. They will not break.
-What has the government of Nicolás Maduro done wrong?
-Many things. We have a great capacity for self-criticism. We believe that self-criticism and criticism are the most important political pedagogy to learn from experience.
"We make a great effort for our country. A daily effort, permanent, with great honesty. But we still lack many things. We have made mistakes in the exchange policy that have led to the possession of the criminal dollar, the parallel dollar that we are set from Miami, from Colombia. We are rectifying many elements of that policy.
"In some cases we have abandoned the daily leadership of popular issues. We must put more emphasis on the construction of the popular movement, popular power, communal councils. Attend to the base directly. Address the problems of the people, listen to the people, promote the assembly movement, make a permanent revision. Maybe there we have made mistakes, the product of the same conflict that we face.
"There are many things to rectify every day. The fight against indolence, bureaucratism, corruption, is hard, it is bitter, it is very complex. Nobody is going to come to me to say that because one says that we are going to fight against corruption and that is what is being done. No, corruption has a thousand ways to recompose itself. Sometimes you name a great comrade in a position, one who has served in the political struggle, in the social upheaval, and ends up rotting in office. It ends up being more corrupt than some mafia that you withdrew from that position.
The fight against corruption is tremendous, it is an endless struggle and we are giving it with great precision. I have the feeling that in the months that are to come that will have a great result in the political reality of the country.
-The last document of President Chávez before his death, "Golpe de rudón", bet heavily on the construction of that popular power. Would you say that the government of Nicolás Maduro has followed that orientation?
-I think so. We have ridden together with Venezuelan popular power. We have managed to activate more than 50 thousand communal councils that group 80, 100, 120 families each, sometimes a little more. We have managed to articulate 3,100 communes of a higher instance of the social, economic, and political organization of the community. They group about 2 million Venezuelans. We have managed to respond to the issue of food supply through the communal councils, creating the CLAP. If there were no popular power it would have been impossible to address this issue and others that we serve.
"Now there is still a lot to do. It is a lie that just because one calls the organization, the popular power organizes itself. No. It takes a lot of effort, knocking on doors, motivating, educating, taking the people forward, addressing their problems, truly empowering the man, the humble woman, the citizen, the citizen.
"I would say that the great challenge of the left in the world is to build true popular bases, true popular power. Because, sometimes, the left fulfills its political struggles, with its slogan, but forgets that politics can not be air. The policy must have roots. You always have to put your feet on the ground.
The Bolivarian revolution, by mandate of Commander Chávez, gave us the slogan: commune or nothing. There is the dichotomy. Or we go on the path of the commune of popular power, of the real root of the people or we are left in nothingness.
-You're passionate about history, movies -directed the Caracas film club before doing institutional politics- and music. How would you summarize this current situation in a historical event, in a movie and a song?
-It would be: The battle for Venezuela. And the salsa song, by Ray Barretto, which I really like, called Indestructible. Look for it in social networks. As in that song, I feel With new blood, indestructible / Oh, united we will win and I know we will arrive.
-President: anything else you want to say?
-Thank Mexico very much for its nobility, for its solidarity. And ask for all solidarity. Let there be a powerful movement in solidarity that will tell Donald Trump: No to military intervention in Venezuela! We want peace in Venezuela! We need the company of the Mexican people so that peace is imposed and the war cries against our country are over.
End
Note: From the Mexican newspaper La Jornada
Very long computer translation.
As with his late comrade Fidel Castro, many, many words come from el burro Maduro .
The humanitarian crisis "a farce"? Causing couple million Venezuelans to flee ?
Gracias
Interview with Maduro: we have 2 million militiamen to defend ourselves
Luis Hernández Navarro,
sent | Thursday, 07 Feb 2019 07:15
https://www.jornada.com.mx/ultimas/2019/02/07/venezuela-sera-un-nuevo-vietnam-si-la-invade-eu-maduro-2138.html
"Donald Trump is obsessed with Venezuela. With the arrival of his team of extremists to the White House began the total confrontation through sanctions, financial persecution and calls to overthrow, "affirmed President Nicolás Maduro in an interview with 'La Jornada'. Photo Zurimar Campos
Caracas.
In the worst crisis since he assumed the presidency of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro believes that the right's attempt to form a parallel government in his country is an expression of the conflict between Venezuela's independence and sovereignty and US imperial intent. to recolonize that nation.
In an exclusive interview with La Jornada, the Bolivarian leader rejects that Venezuela is a dictatorship, human rights are violated or there is a humanitarian crisis. According to him, the politicians who are now imprisoned are the organizers of a violent coup d'état, who murdered, burned alive many people and destroyed property. The vast majority of the media, he says, are in private hands, most of them oppositional. And the so-called humanitarian crisis is a show set up by the Southern Command to justify a military intervention.
Present at the inauguration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the Venezuelan leader says he did not attend the inauguration ceremony in the Chamber of Deputies to avoid an aggression against him that would have covered the historical character of the triumph of the Mexican politician.
Nicolás Maduro assures that, in the event that the United States bets to intervene militarily in his country, a new Vietnam will be created in Latin America. Venezuela is morally ready to respond to the aggression. His army is united and allied with the people. Trump's aggressions - he says - seek to appropriate Venezuelan oil.
This is the full version of the interview with Maduro, which La Jornada did at the Miraflores Palace on February 5.
-President, today it was announced that you sent a letter to Pope Francis proposing that he play a role in the mediation of the conflict. Can we know what else I said in that letter?
- First, he thanked him for his permanent prayers for peace in Venezuela and asked him to help us in facilitating a national dialogue. The Vatican already helped us in one phase in 2016. It means that you know the land well here in Venezuela. I believe that the moral authority of the Pope can help a lot for a dialogue that is constructive, with an open agenda. I'm waiting for your answer soon.
- However, the National Assembly said that it rejects any dialogue or contact group that extends the suffering of the people. That is, disqualifies any possibility of dialogue.
- Yes, the Venezuelan coup right has rejected the mechanisms of dialogue that the international community is ventilating. Two days ago, the US government, the government of Donald Trump, had already said: no to dialogue. And yesterday, the Lima cartel, this group of right-wing intolerant governments, also said no to dialogue. It is an irrational, foolish position. It is an unnatural position, because the natural thing in politics is dialogue, the word, the conversation.
"I insist: yes to dialogue, yes to dialogue and yes to dialogue. And sooner rather than later, with the help of the government of Mexico, of Uruguay, of the 14 Caribbean governments in the Caricom, of Bolivia, of the contact group of the European Union - and hopefully also of the Vatican - we are going to sit in a dialogue table. I'm sure it will be so."
The attitude of Mexico, diplomatically correct
-What opinion do you deserve the attitude and position of the Mexican government?
-The Mexican government has had a diplomatically correct attitude, which is to respect Venezuela, not meddle in its internal affairs. And, according to President López Obrador, he has rescued the spirit of the Mexican Constitution and the Mexican diplomatic tradition, so admired in the world, of non-interventionism, of dialogue. I think he's playing a big role in this historic moment
-You went to the inauguration of President López Obrador, but he did not come to the ceremony in Congress, but to the food. What was that for?
-That was expressly. We knew that the right wing had prepared a show to attack me, physically even, and that the news was the physical aggression against Maduro. And if something like this had happened, I would have reacted, because I am a man of the people. If someone physically assaults me, I will respond, I do not care about the surname and the pelucón (the fifí) or that it is from the right. I do not care. I tell you, I have blood from the Caribbean and wanted a show to cover the historical character of the change that has begun in Mexico with President López Obrador. And since I do not fall into provocations or create provocations, I simply decided to go to the presidential palace directly to greet President López Obrador.
I got a big surprise in the Zócalo. Thousands of people welcomed us with songs, with slogans, with posters, with greetings. I think that the entire campaign against us on the occasion of the inauguration was reversed. It generated an interest and sympathy from the Mexican people that we appreciate.
-As a justification for the offensive against him, it is claimed that in Venezuela human rights are violated, that people are persecuted, that there are political prisoners, that there is no freedom of opinion. There are reports from different international human rights organizations that document some of these signs. That's right?
-In 20 years of revolution we have been victims of permanent aggression by the United States and its internal oligarchic allies. In particular, in my six years of the first government, I have been the victim of several violent attempts to bring the country into civil war and to overthrow the government. One of them was in 2014. Another was in 2017, with the so-called guarimbas (violent blockades of communication routes). I have suffered several attacks. On August 4, 2018, they perpetrated a direct attack against me with drones.
"The Venezuelan justice has acted. Those responsible for the murder of several people, of violence, of the physical destruction of cities are being detained. Those directly responsible for the attempt to kill me with drones are detained. But the United States and its global manipulation say that those directly responsible for violent crimes who are being prosecuted and are being detained are political prisoners. The truth is that they are individuals who have committed crimes against people, against property, who have tried to overthrow the legitimate government.
Anyway, here in Venezuela there is a Truth and Justice Commission that has the investigation of all these crimes, of this whole situation. Recently that commission issued a set of decisions, orders and some of these people involved in these crimes were given procedural benefits. They are free. Perhaps those who are still detained are those who have committed crimes of homicide, they have burned people alive. Perhaps those responsible for the most serious crimes are those who remain in the hands of justice.
-It is also pointed out that Venezuela is a dictatorship, that there are no freedoms, that the press is controlled by the State. Is that true?
- I can give you several details of the broad freedoms that exist in Venezuela. First, the situation of national television stations. Seventy-five percent are private, and I could tell you that all the private television stations in the country are opposing. Of the written press, 80 percent of national and regional publications are private, and I could tell you that they are all opposing. More than 70 by the way radios in the country are in private hands, and all are opposing.
"Social networks are controlled on an international scale. In Venezuela there is Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp. Everyone uses them. And I can tell you that 80 percent of the advertising and information that runs directly on all social networks are open and totally opposing. They are data that is good to specify.
"To say that Venezuela is a dictatorship is an offense to the Venezuelan people. Venezuela has an educational, cultural level and sufficient democratic maturity. It is enough to walk around any town or city and see the permanent debate that exists about Venezuela. In any case, the accusation of dictatorship is part of the script that the US empire has always used to label, stigmatize independent countries, governments that do not obey. It serves to justify anything. Because if in Venezuela, as they say, there is a dictatorship, then anything is possible: a coup d'état, an assassination, an invasion.
Simply, the accusation that Venezuela is a dictatorship is part of the false stigmas with which they have tried to label the Bolivarian revolution.
The humanitarian crisis, a farce
-It is said that in Venezuela there is a humanitarian crisis of great proportions, that there is hunger, that there is a shortage of medicines, that the migration of Venezuelans, not only to Spain or Miami, but to many Latin American countries, is an unstoppable hemorrhage . Is it true that there is such a humanitarian crisis?
-The humanitarian crisis is a sham. Venezuela has problems, like any other country. Moreover, in some cases we do not have some problems that have countries where neoliberalism governs. But all the mounting of the humanitarian crisis comes from the Southern Command of the United States since 2014.
"Why fool a humanitarian crisis fabricated at the media level? To justify a 'humanitarian intervention', in quotes.
"Venezuela has high rates of employment. Last year we closed again with 6 percent unemployment. Sixty percent of employment in Venezuela is formal, protected, we have advanced. Venezuela has a social security system that protects one hundred percent of its pensioners. Venezuela has over 90 percent of education in initial, basic, secondary, and university education. Eighty percent of our global education is public, free, of quality.
Venezuela has a program called CLAP (Local Supply and Production Committees) that reaches 6 million homes, 24 million Venezuelans. The food is permanent and, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, we have very high levels of nutrition. Venezuela has a program called Barrio Adentro en Salud, which brings 30,000 doctors to the communities. You in your neighborhood, in your community, you have a doctor, you have access to medicine. In the three recent years, because of the sanctions, we have had problems to import food, to import medicines. Yes, we have had them, and we are already solving them effectively. But a humanitarian crisis has not existed nor will it exist in Venezuela.
Donald Trump is obsessed with Venezuela
- You have denounced that behind the attempt to impose a president in charge is the hand of the United States. Why does it say that? What evidence does it have?
- Good, because the attitude of the government of the United States to call to the overthrow of the constitutional government that I preside is open and vulgar. It is, above all, since the extremists of Donald Trump arrived at the White House. It has been a stage of total confrontation, of sanctions, of financial persecution, of calls for a military coup, of direct conspiracy in the gringo embassy in Venezuela.
"Donald Trump is obsessed with Venezuela. His team calls itself the Venezuela team. John Bolton, Security Adviser; Mike Pompeo, secretary of state, and Mike Pence, vice president, call themselves the Venezuela team. Every day they tweet, write, declare, calling for an open coup.
"It's not that they dissimulate it. Recently, The Wall Street Journal published the information on how the whole issue of trying to impose a parallel government, a false government, was created. And it was created in Washington, it was financed in Washington, it was imposed from Washington.
"For months before, in September, The New York Times and The Washington Post drew evidence of the participation of the United States government, directly from the White House, in a military coup attempt in the months of March and April, which we We neutralize and defeat. They gave details of who conspired, who paid, where they paid. These testimonies and statements are sufficient evidence of the imperialist obsession they have.
"Last Sunday Donald Trump threatened us once again with an invasion, with sending the US Army to take Venezuela. And I have been asking: what is the casus belli (reason for war)? Venezuela is not a threat to the United States. Venezuela does not have weapons of mass destruction targeting the United States. No, his casus belli is Venezuelan oil, the wealth of Venezuela. And that, in 20 years, they have not been able to defeat the Bolivarian revolution by any means. Neither by the electoral route, neither by political, diplomatic, nor by coup d'etat.
I believe that the United States government is entering a phase of great despair and is becoming increasingly dangerous. So the solidarity of the world, of people who want peace, of people who want to stop a new Vietnam, this time in South America, is very important. Venezuela would become a Vietnam if one day Donald Trump sends the US Army to attack us.
Are you ready for a US military intervention?
-Venezuela is morally prepared to reject threats of the use of force. And we and our Bolivarian National Armed Force, our Bolivarian city, our weapons system and our people, in civic-military union, we prepare ourselves with the concept of war of all the people, war of resistance, to give a forceful response to any possibility of military aggression.
We hope it never happens. We hope that the truth of Venezuela will be imposed, the diplomatic way, and that the conscience of peace in the people of the United States will turn the will and the madness to Donald Trump. We hope peace reigns. But, meanwhile, we prepare to defend our sacred land, as everyone would defend it.
-You have reported that they have militias grouped with 2 million members. Do these militias have a territorial or union organization? Do they have direct control of weapons? Have they received military training?
-Yes, we have the Bolivarian National Armed Force that has four components. The Bolivarian Army, with a territorial distribution, a very powerful weapons system. The Bolivarian Navy, which has also been strengthening its weapons system. The Bolivarian Military Aviation, also with a good system to take care of our country, and the Bolivarian National Guard, which is a force of public order. And, in addition, Comandante Chávez created the Bolivarian National Militia as a fifth element that strengthens and integrates the four constitutional components.
"The militia has reached one million 600 thousand citizens. On April 13 this year we will reach 2 million. They are organized in popular defense units, which group a number of 20 or 30 militiamen per territory. They have military training, they have an operational plan, they know what to do in any scenario. And, in addition, they have access, and each time they will have more access, to the national weapons system. This means that Venezuela has 2 million militiamen and militia integrated for a war of resistance, a war of all the people, which would make it unbearable, it would make a hell of an invading force that goes to Venezuela.
We want peace. All our armed force and our militia have only one slogan: to win peace. Our victory is peace and so we will continue.
-The opposition accuses them of having paramilitary groups. According to them, the groups are civilian armed groups at the service of Chavism. Is that true?
-The collective calls are a form of voluntary popular organization, very typical of the Bolivarian revolution. They are an extraparty form of the popular movement. There are thousands in Venezuela. They organize people around some goal. The majority of the groups in the country are in the productive, business, and agro-productive areas, where they produce tens of tons of food. Or they are in the area of culture, of cultural resistance, of music, of art, of muralism. And they are also in the political area.
The right is very afraid of the collectives because they are very revolutionary groups, very radical. They are very honest people. They have tried to stigmatize them as paramilitaries but it is totally false. That does not mean that there is no collective that suddenly stimulates training for national defense. Surely there is one or two of these groups around here. But the fundamental thing of the collectives is that they are a form of organization of the cultural movement.
- And the right does have paramilitary groups?
-The right has had violent groups that have led the guarimbas.Durante all these years has had groups to attempt against barracks. And it has groups that express themselves through social networks, which say they have weapons, they cover their faces and they say they are already in a line of war, for a civil war. It has not been able with these groups to disturb the life and the internal peace of the country, but they declare it and they have it. They are elements of risk that you have to know how to control.
It's not about the cold war
-You place the current attempted coup as a dispute for national sovereignty against imperialist intervention. However, some people see conflict as a fight between powers. They claim that behind the government of Nicolás Maduro are China and Russia, which intend to establish a beachhead in Latin America. Is that interpretation correct?
-That is an interpretation scheme of the Cold War, where all the conflicts seemed to have behind the confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States. But it is not our case. The Venezuelan conflict is 200 years old. It exists before the Soviet Union or the Russian Federation existed, or the existence of the People's Republic of China. It comes from Bolívar.
"It is the conflict between the independence ideas of freedom and sovereignty of our liberators versus the imperialist ideas. If one reviews the ideology, the political practice of the liberators, of Bolivar, finds that they sought to create a block of free, independent nations that did not oppress any nation in the world and that built their own political, social, economic, cultural model .
"On the other hand, if you review the project, the form, the practice of those who founded the United States, of the old 13 colonies, you will find how they directly inherited the entire British imperial vision. They never helped the independence of the South. They were against the independence struggle. Moreover, they sold arms, sold accoutrements and supported the Spanish imperial army against the liberators.
"It's a conflict in a story that comes from afar, 200 years ago. We today say that our conflict is between the independence of Venezuela, the sovereignty of Venezuela and the attempt to recolonize the US empire. The center of the conflict is that of the new independence of Latin America versus the attempt of domination and of a new slavery against our people. "
-What is your road map to face the current conflict? It seems that what the Venezuelan right wants today, apart from establishing a parallel government and gaining legitimacy in the international arena, is to mount a provocation around humanitarian aid that justifies a foreign military intervention. What are the steps that you plan to take to avoid such a scenario?
-The steps we are taking are linked to the Constitution. Our road map is the Constitution.
"In the first place, to govern the country, to attend to the problems of our people, to implement the plan of the homeland 2019-2025 in all areas. Today we launched the Great Mission Transportation Venezuela. A great project that aims to transform the entire public transportation system in the country.
"Second, to defend peace, peace with justice, I say, peace with equality, peace with independence. And promote all forms of political dialogue and political negotiation to establish a lasting peace.
"Third, maintain the civic-military union: Our strength is our armed force, our Bolivarian city and its unitary capacity to manage national defense.
"Fourthly, defend ourselves diplomatically, politically, mediatically from all the aggressions of the imperialist government of Donald Trump. The operation called 'humanitarian aid' is a show, a cheap show, a bad show. We will take care of it, rest assured that it will not disturb Venezuela. These shows are diluted, they dissolve with the Venezuelan reality. "
- Is there a danger of an army rupture?
- Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested to divide the Bolivarian National Armed Forces. I can tell you, being in direct contact with the Venezuelan soldiers, who today are more united than ever. They will not break.
-What has the government of Nicolás Maduro done wrong?
-Many things. We have a great capacity for self-criticism. We believe that self-criticism and criticism are the most important political pedagogy to learn from experience.
"We make a great effort for our country. A daily effort, permanent, with great honesty. But we still lack many things. We have made mistakes in the exchange policy that have led to the possession of the criminal dollar, the parallel dollar that we are set from Miami, from Colombia. We are rectifying many elements of that policy.
"In some cases we have abandoned the daily leadership of popular issues. We must put more emphasis on the construction of the popular movement, popular power, communal councils. Attend to the base directly. Address the problems of the people, listen to the people, promote the assembly movement, make a permanent revision. Maybe there we have made mistakes, the product of the same conflict that we face.
"There are many things to rectify every day. The fight against indolence, bureaucratism, corruption, is hard, it is bitter, it is very complex. Nobody is going to come to me to say that because one says that we are going to fight against corruption and that is what is being done. No, corruption has a thousand ways to recompose itself. Sometimes you name a great comrade in a position, one who has served in the political struggle, in the social upheaval, and ends up rotting in office. It ends up being more corrupt than some mafia that you withdrew from that position.
The fight against corruption is tremendous, it is an endless struggle and we are giving it with great precision. I have the feeling that in the months that are to come that will have a great result in the political reality of the country.
-The last document of President Chávez before his death, "Golpe de rudón", bet heavily on the construction of that popular power. Would you say that the government of Nicolás Maduro has followed that orientation?
-I think so. We have ridden together with Venezuelan popular power. We have managed to activate more than 50 thousand communal councils that group 80, 100, 120 families each, sometimes a little more. We have managed to articulate 3,100 communes of a higher instance of the social, economic, and political organization of the community. They group about 2 million Venezuelans. We have managed to respond to the issue of food supply through the communal councils, creating the CLAP. If there were no popular power it would have been impossible to address this issue and others that we serve.
"Now there is still a lot to do. It is a lie that just because one calls the organization, the popular power organizes itself. No. It takes a lot of effort, knocking on doors, motivating, educating, taking the people forward, addressing their problems, truly empowering the man, the humble woman, the citizen, the citizen.
"I would say that the great challenge of the left in the world is to build true popular bases, true popular power. Because, sometimes, the left fulfills its political struggles, with its slogan, but forgets that politics can not be air. The policy must have roots. You always have to put your feet on the ground.
The Bolivarian revolution, by mandate of Commander Chávez, gave us the slogan: commune or nothing. There is the dichotomy. Or we go on the path of the commune of popular power, of the real root of the people or we are left in nothingness.
-You're passionate about history, movies -directed the Caracas film club before doing institutional politics- and music. How would you summarize this current situation in a historical event, in a movie and a song?
-It would be: The battle for Venezuela. And the salsa song, by Ray Barretto, which I really like, called Indestructible. Look for it in social networks. As in that song, I feel With new blood, indestructible / Oh, united we will win and I know we will arrive.
-President: anything else you want to say?
-Thank Mexico very much for its nobility, for its solidarity. And ask for all solidarity. Let there be a powerful movement in solidarity that will tell Donald Trump: No to military intervention in Venezuela! We want peace in Venezuela! We need the company of the Mexican people so that peace is imposed and the war cries against our country are over.
End
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