MEXICO.- A press release supposedly authored by The Gulf Cartel (Old School), leaders of the Los Rojos criminal group, and Zetas Unidos, state that in their new working relationship they will work toward the peace and well-being or residents of Tamaulipas.

According to the communication, the cartels which have for years been branded as enemies of the state are going to work toward ending the war and eradicating many problems that provoke fear and insecurity in the population.

The kidnappers and extorsioners would be removed from the ranks of these groups, and the residents of Tamaulipas will be ensured protection now that the cartels have returned to their roots: that of trafficking drugs and ceasing to engage in other activities that directly hurt citizens.

"Message to Residents":

The Gulf Cartel and The Zetas will no longer fight amongst ourselves, because we are now more united than ever; we want peace for Tamaulipas." Says the release published on November 11, 2014.

"Those that perpetuated war have died or been captured. We are here to put things in order, WE ARE THE GULF CARTEL AND OLD SCHOOL ZETAS. We will no longer commit the same errors and we intent to purge out those in our ranks that want to engage in lies."

"DO NOT WORRY, DON'T BE PARANOID, THIS WILL ALL SOON COME TO AN END. We are reajusting, and soon an end will come to extorsion, kidnapping, turf wars, and there will be peace...." The note ends signed as the New Alliance of Peace Cartel del Golfo and Zetas".

This decision likely arose in the aftermath of the recent wave of massacres throughout Mexico, which according to Proceso, has impacted the structure of organized crime. The division of the Gulf Cartel (Los Rojos) that is led by Commander Juan Reyes Mejia, "El R1", and one of its first acts under this new restructring was to pay off a group of hit men that operated in the Camargo region.

Elizabeth.rosales@sandiegored.com