Mexican Marines take out drug lord

Houston Chronicle:

For a man who was one of Mexico's most wanted criminals, Arturo Beltran Leyva didn't bother going too deep into hiding.

The narcotics kingpin known as the "boss of bosses" was killed by Mexican marines Wednesday evening — along with six of his gunmen — at a luxury condominium complex little more than half a mile from the state governor's palace in downtown Cuernavaca, 50 miles south of Mexico City. Beltran Leyva is considered one of the most important gangsters to be killed or captured in the Mexican government's three-year crackdown on organized crime.

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Beltran Leyva's lieutenants or gangland rivals likely will violently try to seize the criminal business he leaves behind, officials and analysts said.

"When you hit any cartel leader, it's a very hard blow," Arturo Chavez, Mexico's attorney general, said in a meeting with reporters. "The weakening of any cartel can be interpreted as an opportunity for another to expand its territory."

Acting on intelligence information, the military attacked in force shortly before sunset, with as many as 50 marines rappelling from helicopters onto the rooftops of three 12-story condominium buildings in a gated complex. More than 150 other marines arrived by truck and armored car.

Unsure of Beltran Leyva's exact location, marines went from apartment to apartment, checking occupants' identities and evacuating them to the complex's gymnasium.

Gunmen trying to rescue Beltran Leyva attacked marines gathered outside the complex, firing assault weapons and throwing grenades before being repelled. Three marines were wounded, one fatally, and two gangsters killed.

As the military circle closed on them, Beltran Leyva and four of his men futilely opened fire from their apartment, which was adorned with images of the Virgin of Guadalupe and other religious artifacts.

All five of them were killed on the spot.

Televised video of the scene shows rooms riddled with bullets and ravaged by what look like grenade explosions. Large pools of blood stained the white marble floors.

Beltran Leyva's pockets held protective amulets used in santeria religious ceremonies, Mexican newspapers reported.

Beltran Leyva, 48, had been on the run since last Friday, when marines nearly captured him at a swank villa outside Cuernavaca where the gangster was throwing a large party, replete with several live bands.

Three of his gunmen were killed in the raid and 11 others captured, but Beltran Leyva escaped in a sport utility vehicle.

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It is interesting that a guy with no moral compass would be so superstitious when it came to "protective" artifacts. If there is a turf battle over who replaces him, it will further weaken the cartels doing the fighting and offer opportunities for the authorities.

It appears that both sides in this gun battle used a pray and spray method of gun fire. For once it appears that the Marines were better equipped for this fight and by dropping onto the top of the condos, they probably avoided the sentries that were posted to protect Beltran Leyva. The attack from outside against the Marines was probably from sentries that had been posted outside the compound. It appears they were surprised by the Marines vertical envelopment.