TerrorismA perspective from México

December 2010

Contents

Introduction

Legal and Institutional Framework

Illegal migration

Groups with Religious activities

Eco terrorism

Institutional responses

Final comments

Introduction

• Terrorism is a relatively new issue in Mexico’s National Security agenda. 9/11 boosted its importance as it did in the vast majority of the world.

• The New York terrorist attacks (9/11) changed the world perception on how to deal with international terrorism. As a transnational problem, it was clear that this threat had to be cope with a combination of domestic and international measures.

• Mexico had important domestic and international reasons to come up with a strategy to prevent any terrorist activity within its borders:

One of the busiest borders of the world (trade and persons); 80 % of Mexico’s international trade takes place in the northern border .

Legal and illegal activities take place An important border infrastructure (facilities, ports of entry); An important flow of migrants through the southern border; Southern neighbor of the United States and; Mexico can be used as a platform by terrorist groups.

Introduction

• Mexico has agreed different international mechanisms on terrorism as well as bilateral accords with the United States and Guatemala.

• Through these mechanisms, Mexico has acquired the commitment to implement strategies to control and contain any potential risk to our National Security.

• Internally, national interest requires Mexican government agencies to work together in order to strengthen security conditions within our soil and borders.

• Illegal migration, religious fundamentalism and special interest groups are targets of concern for the Mexican government.

• The main objective of this presentation is to identify the major potential risk areas for Mexico, that could be connected to the threat posed by international terrorism.

Legal and Institutional Framework

• Since 9/11, Mexico has strengthen the cooperation links, liaison arrangements and communication at different levels of government with our three bordering countries: the United States, Guatemala and Belize.

•Border Partnership (March 22, 2002)•Merida Initiative (October 22, 2007)

México- U.S.

•Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (March 23, 2005)México- U.S-

Canada

•Border Security High Level Group (GANSEF) (June 13, 2002).

México-Guatemala

•Belize was incorporated to GANSEF in 2005 (June 28)Mexico –

Guatemala-Belize

Legal and Institutional Framework

• National Security Act (2005)

• National Security Program (2009-2012)

• National Security Council

Disarmament, Terrorism and International Security High Level Specialized Committee

Working Groups

Permanent Members

CISEN SRE SHCP SEDENA SEMAR PGR SSP SCT

SSA SE SENER SAGARPA PROFEPA Customs México CNSNS

Guest Members

Nuclear Weapons

Chemical and Biological Weapons

Conventional Weapons

Terrorism

Legal Framework

International Security

Illegal Migration

• Mexico’s geographical position makes it a bridge for illegal immigration flows that often have the United States as a final destination.

Groups of nationalities

• The institutional framework identifies 3 groups of migratory nationalities:

Group 1- Restricted nationalities• 50 nations• May require special attention of mexican officials

Group 2- Regulated nationalities• 108 nations• Visa required in order to establish an activities record

Group 3- No restricted nationalities• 48 nations• No visa required to enter México

Groups of nationalities

1. Afghanistan2. Angola3.Stateless4. Armenia5. Azerbaijan6. Bahrain7. Bangladesh8. Belorussia Rep.9. Bosnia y Herzegovina10. Colombia

11. Congo12. North Korea13. Croatia14. Cuba15. China Popular16. Estonia17. Russia18. Georgia Rep.19. Haiti20. Hong Kong

21. India 22. Iraq23. Iran24. Jordanian25. Kampuchea26. Kazakhstan27. Kirgizstan28. Latvia29. Lebanon30. Liberia

31. Libia32. Lituania33. Macedonia34. Moldova Rep. De35. Mongolia36. Nigeria37. Pakistán38. Palestina39. R D Árabe Sajarahui40. Siria

41. Somalia42. Sri Lanka43. Tajikistan44. Taiwan 45. Turkmenistan46. Turkey47. Ukraine48. Uzbekistan49. Vietnam50. Yugoslavia

Western Hemisphere Europe Africa Asia •Guatemala•Honduras•El Salvador•Nicaragua•Brasil•Ecuador•Perú •República Dominicana

•Turkey•Macedonia

•Eritrea •Somalia•Ethiopia •Nigeria•Congo •Ghana •Kenya •Uganda•Liberia•Zambia

•Sri Lanka •Nepal•Iraq•China •Turkmenistan•Iran •Ukraine•Korea•Vietnam

Group 1 nationalities:

Nationalities with large flows into México:

Groups of nationalities

• Illegal migration detained by national origin:

Illegal migration/aerial routes

China - Moscú – Paris - México China - Moscú – Roma – México – La Habana. Tailandia - Irak - Irán – Turquía - Italia - Francia – Guatemala - México. Tailandia – España – Venezuela – Guatemala - México. Irak – Irán – Turquía – Grecia – Italia – Francia – Guatemala - México. India – Irán – Holanda – Italia – España – Guatemala - México. Eritrea – Sudan – Sudáfrica – Brasil – Colombia – Guatemala - México. Ámsterdam - Cancún Madrid – Cancún - México

Illegal migration/terrestrial routes

Panamá – Guatemala - México. Belice - México. Honduras – Guatemala - México. Cancún – Veracruz – Tamaulipas - Texas. Monterrey - Hermosillo. Monterrey - Tijuana, BC - Los Ángeles. Guatemala - México City - Tijuana - Mexicali.

Illegal migration/terrestrial routes

• When irregular immigrants arrive in Mexico, they tend to concentrate mainly in six states:

African nationals detainees

• In 2009, 740 African nationals were detained in México. That number has gone up to 1,058 in 2010.

• Migrants from Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia deserve special attention.

Indian nationals detainees

• There is also a big increase of Indian national entering into México. The main hypothesis is that other nationals are using Indian documents with possible links to extremists groups.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2009 2010

10

110

Can

tidad

Años

Asegurados 2009 vs 2010

Nacionales de la India

Illegal migration: overview

• More than 100 groups involved in human smuggling operate in Mexico, most of them have international links.

• Mexico is used by international crime organizations as a platform to smuggle people to the United States, Canada and Japan.

• Mexico is a transit country for people from several nationalities (mainly Cuba, Eritrea, Somalia, China and Colombia). Special attention must be given to people from Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia.

•• Since 2005, smuggling and kidnapping of Central American immigrants have

become an additional activity for drug trafficking groups.

• Corruption involves policemen, judicial agents and agents from the National Immigration Institute (INM).

Groups with religious activities

• Muslim communities have presence in 14 states. They have built oratories (Musallah) and mosque projects.

• Arab population has grown in Mexico. In 2003 there were among 10,000 and 12,000 people. In 2009, the estimated population was between 15,000 and 20,000 people.

• The three main Islamic currents (sunní, shiía and sufis) have presence in Mexico.

• Wahhabi and salafi groups, which have been related to Muslim extremism, also have presence in our country.

• Pakistanis, Lebanese and Iranians are growing communities in Mexico

• Pakistanis are linked to the missionary organization “Jamaat al Tabligh”.

• The Soraya mosque, located in Torreon, Coahuila, gets financial support from the Lebanese and Iranian communities.

Groups with religious activities

• These communities are under permanent supervision by security authorities.

• An important number of people of these communities has dual nationality. They can travel easily back and forth from Mexico to the Middle East or Asia and vice versa.

• Every day, citizens from other restricted nationalities such as: Yemeni or Somali enter into Mexico.

• There is always a potential risk that members of these communities could be related to international terrorist organizations.

• Somalia is considered a risky country due to its alleged training camps for “Al Qaeda” members. Once members have been trained, they move to Latin America and reach Mexico in the purpose of entering to the United States.

Eco terrorism

• One of the new violent expressions of terrorists are the Ecoterrorists.

• Young people between 16 and 18 years old, vegetarians, pro animal life and anti-capitalists (anarchists)

• These groups believe they can spread the conscience in favor of their causes through direct violent actions.

• They coordinate via internet at both, national and international level.

• The fact that gathered and launched the eco – terrorist movement was a dog and cat massacre (Feb 23,2009). Months later they perpetrated the first attack.

• Modus operandi: cells of this movement place butane gas explosives in public places such as banks, car dealers agencies and boutiques.

• The most used acronym for this movement is: Animal Liberation Front (FLA).

Eco terrorism

• Five terrorist activities took place in México City and Cuernavaca between September 1st to September 25th, 2009. 01/09/2009 Bancomer ATM’s 25/09/2009 Banamex offices Milpa Alta, México City 22/09/2009 Bancomer and Banorte offices in México City 14/09/2009 Max-Mara store in Santa Fe, México City

• Related groups to radical actions in Mexico: Earth Liberation Front ; Eco- anarchist Cell; Green Black Command ; Militia for the Animal Rights; Luddites Against the Domestication of Wild Nature; Vegan Brigades and; Mexican Animal Liberation Front.

Eco terrorism

• 43 attacks against banks offices between 2008 and 2009:

Guanajuato (1), SLP (1), Jalisco (2), México State (17) and México City (22) 22 against BBVA, 10 Banamex, 4 HSBC, 3 Santander, 1 Banorte and 3to other

banks.

• In 2010, 13 attacks were registered: Seven in México City and six y México state 5 BBVA, 7 Banamex and 1 Santander.

Institutional Responses

Actions against terrorism

• International cooperation • National Security Strategy • Institutional coordination for border security• Measures related to:• Controlling persons and goods in transit. • Dismantling terrorist structures, shelters and networks supports.• Neutralization of extremist ideologies or theologies. • Specialized training for people related to anti-terrorism areas. • Strengthening control measures over producers, distributors and importers

of substances used for production of chemical, biological or explosive weapons.

• Capital movements and money laundering linked to international terrorism.• Status of groups related to violent actions that can be connected to

terrorism.

Institutional Responses

National Security Considerations

• Terrorist activities are always a potential risk for any country.

• Fighting against terrorism is an issue for the Mexican National Security Strategy

• Mexican authorities have established international links of cooperation and give permanent supervision to possible risky actors.

• We do have problems with human smuggling and organized crime; therefore, we intend to prevent the connection between those and terrorist activities that could lead to a terrible outcome.

• Mexican authorities are working on to strengthen law enforcement institutions and prevent corruption among public officials.