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US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Travel warning Bureau cautions citizens heading to Mexico By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs renewed its travel warning to Mexico on Monday saying organized criminal groups posed a security threat in certain places in Mexico. “U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery by organized criminal groups in various Mexican states,” the warning reads. In the warning, authorities mentioned the state of Tamaulipas. “Defer all non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas,” states the warning. “Throughout the state, violent crime, including homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault, pose significant safety
Criminal groups posed a security threat in certain places. risks. State and municipal law enforcement capacity is limited to nonexistent in many parts of Tamaulipas.” State Department officials said armed confrontations can occur between rival criminal groups or Mexican authorities in all parts of the region at any given time of the day. The travel warning comes amid confrontations reported in the Nuevo Laredo and Nueva Ciudad Guerrero area in northern Tamaulipas, where violent criminal activity occurs more frequently, reports state.
Shootings Tamaulipas
authorities
said the most recent shooting occurred at about 1:50 a.m. Tuesday along kilometer marker 127 of the Nuevo Laredo-Nueva Ciudad Guerrero highway. Mexican troops came across gunmen in three parked vehicles. Gunfire sparked and a chase ensued for about 2 miles. Two armed men believed to be in their 30s died in the confrontation, authorities said. Reports state the assailants wore camouflage clothing, military boots, green tactical helmets, among other tactical equipment. Soldiers later discovered one of the suspect vehicles, a GMC Sierra, burned. In the vehicle’s bed, soldiers discovered two as-
sault rifles, a .50 caliber Barrett, a bulletproof vest, a helmet, ammo, magazines, caltrops and food. Another shooting occurred in Nuevo Laredo on Monday. A firefight sparked at about 3 a.m. when Mexican soldiers and federal police officers encountered gunmen aboard a four-door gold Isuzu by Carretera Aeropuerto and Bulevar Universidad. Shots rang out killing one male suspect who was believed to in his 20s. Tamaulipas authorities did not identify him. Reports state the driver sped away but rolled over after he lost control of the vehicle. Other suspects fled. Authorities seized an assault rifle, ammo, a radio and three cell phones, among other items, according to reports. Another recent firefight
JOAQUIN “EL CHAPO” GUZMAN
See TRAVEL PAGE 11A
Photo by Isaac Brekken | AP file
Trump launched his offensive Friday morning, unveiling a commercial that portrays Ted Cruz as weak on illegal immigration.
Feud intensifies Cruz, Trump trade first attack ads as rivalry grows to a new level By PATRICK SVITEK TEXAS TRIBUNE
Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are trading their first attack ads in the GOP presidential race as their rivalry reaches a new level of intensity. The billionaire launched
his offensive Friday morning, unveiling a commercial that portrays the U.S. senator from Texas as weak on illegal immigration. Cruz returned fire later in the morning with a spot of his own go-
See FEUD PAGE 11A
LAREDO, TEXAS
WBCA RETURNS
Photo by Eduardo Verdugo | AP
Mexican marines captured Guzman on Jan. 8, six months after he tunneled out of a top-security Mexican prison.
Drug lord extradition to accelerate Mexican president urges attorney general to meet demand soon ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Friday he’s ordering officials to accelerate the extradition of recaptured drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to the United States. Mexico had balked at extraditing Guzman after he was captured in 2014, but his escape from a topsecurity prison in July apparently changed officials’ minds. Pena Nieto said he’d told his Attorney General’s office to “achieve the extradition of this highly dangerous delinquent as
soon as possible.” He made the comments during a news conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Mexican marines captured Guzman on Jan. 8, six months after he tunneled out of a top-security Mexican prison — his escape from a maximum security lockup. The Sinaloa Cartel chief is wanted on multiple charges in both Mexico and the U.S. Officials have already said they plan now to extradite Guzman, but have said the process could take a year or more of legal wrangling.
Photo by Victor Strife | The Zapata Times file
In this file photo, Suzanna Victoria Alexander shows off her shoes to the crowd at the 2014 Anheuser-Busch Washington’s Birthday Parade. This year, the annual celebration will boast 28 events in 33 days.
Celebration will boast 28 events in 33 days THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Washington’s Birthday Celebration is back and promises a celebration like no other right on your front step. This year, the annual celebration will boast 28 events in 33 days, including, a New Orleans-style street party with a mixture of Mexican spice, elaborate pageants that feature glittering Colonial gowns and intricate Native American dresses, a fiery jalapeño eating contest, and daredevil pilots engaging in death-defying
aerial acrobats. Celebrating its 119th year, the WBCA offers enthusiasts a dazzling mix of the colorful, the magical, the boisterous, the historical and the always entertaining. Among its unique blend of multicultural traditions that bring forth an amazing and patriotic bash, the yearly celebration is assured to bring excitement to just about anyone. Other events include an eye-opening fireworks display, lively parades, nights of wine and tequila tasting, a carnival that offers
exhilarating rides, a historical and theatrical George Washington performance, and much more. As one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the United States, with close to half a million people in attendance each year, the Washington’s Birthday Celebration continues to excite, delight and create vivid memories along the way. Though the first president may not have set foot in Laredo, his patriotic spirit definitely lives deep in the heart of South Tex-
as. The award winning festival recognized annually by the Texas Festivals and Events Association, the International Festival and Events Association, as well as the American Bus Association, consistently remains one of the top events in the United States. The celebration began Jan. 21 and ends Feb. 22, 2016.
EVENT LIST See WBCA PAGE 11A