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Show DAILY Thursday, May 8. 2008 HERALD A13 Drug cartels making audacious pitch for recruits Manuel ficking across Mexico, they are encountering an information war managed by criminal NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico networks that operate with The job offer was tempting. near impunity. The cartels' appeals It was printed on a which authorities generally banner and strung above one of the busiest roads hereT" ' believe to be authentic recruir- ment efforts seem designed calling out to any "soldier or in part to taunt a military "We're offering you a good plagued by at least 100,000 salary, food and medical care desertions in the past eight for your families," it said in years. Even though the drug war block letters. has traumatized Mexicans, But there was a catch: The cartels still use bravado and employer was Los Zetas, a notorious Gulf cartel hit squad a dash of humor to gain supformed by elite Mexican army porters. deserters. The group even inThe Nuevo Laredo banner, cluded a phone number for job for instance, promised that the seekers that linked to a voice cartels would not feed new recruits instant noodle soup, mailbox. an allusion to the cheap and Outrageous as they seem, frequently mocked meals that drug cartel messages such as the banner hung here late many poor soldiers are forced last month are becoming into eat and that the government creasingly common along the often provides to stranded violence-savage- d migrants. A similar sign in the Gulf of border and in other parts of Mexico city of Tampico promthe region. ised "loans and life insurance." As soldiers wage a massive "What else could you want?" campaign against drug traf THE 1 Colombia National Police Former paramilitary leader&rlos Mario Jimenez is escorted by police for his extradition tothe U.S. in Bogota on Wednesday. Jimenez, one of Colombia's most feared paramilitary warlords, was extradited to the U.S. to face drug trafficking charges, according to Colombia 's government. Paramilitary warlord extradited to the M-Frank Bajak THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CoBOGOTA, Colombia lombia extradited a paramilitary warlord to the United States on Wednesday for trial on drug charges, accusing him of violating a peace pact by selling drugs and commanding illegal militia fighters from prison. Carlos Mario A grim-face- d Jimenez, handcuffed and wearing a black bulletproof vest, was escorted onto a Super King 350 plane in a Bogota airport hangar shortly after midnight a scene shown in a video released by police. Authorities said he was flown to Washington via Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Later Wednesday, officials announced the seizure of 25 homes, 23 vehicles and six businesses belonging to Jimenez that they valued at $20 million as well as goods including 26 watches and 14 Mont Blanc pens. The extradition sends message to other jailed warlords that they, too, could be shipped abroad to face stif fer prison sentences if they revert to crime. Colombia's police chief, Gen. Oscar Naranjo, told Caracol radio that authorities have some evidence other militia bosses are continuing to run criminal groups from jail, "but not enough to make judicial decisions." The Supreme Court ruled last month that Jimenez should not leave the country until he confessed to his crimes and provided reparations to vic- tims. Colombia's top judicial panel overturned that decision on Tuesday, and he was hustled out of the country just hours it read. Roig-Franz- WASHINGTON POST U.S.-Mexi- deal, which requires that top commanders confess to crimes in exchange for reduced sentences. But Jimenez was among the least cooperative of some 50 warlords, and in August he became the first to be stripped of peace deal benefits that include protection from extradition. Now he is the first to be extradited. In February, the U.S. Trea- The banner closed with a boast: "The state of Tamauli-paMexico, the United States and the world territory of the Gulf cartel." "The cartels are very good "at This nheyVeteioTTgs written about them, they put up these signs, they make themselves out to be Robin Hoods," Carlos Martinez, a Nuevo Laredo elementary school principal and com- - ; munity activist, said in an interview. "People like this. We Mexicans like a good joke we like to make fun of our problems." The banners also appeal to many poorer Mexicans who respect the brashness of the cartels, which provide food, clothing and toys to win civil" ians' loyalty. Cartels have long been known for showy displays designed to gain public support, though their public campaigns have become more audacious. Last week, clowns entertained 500 children and gave s, -- drug cartels are suspected of having left a banner with the names of 17 "executable" police officials on a monument to fallen officers in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso. In typically macabre style, the banner was accompanied by funeral flowers. Since then, at least nine of the men named on the banner have been 0 des- ignated narcotics trafficker, freezing any of his assets in the U.S. and prohibjting any American citizen from doing business with him. Washington also accuses him of money laundering and financing terrorist groups. Many victims of the priwhich killed vate militias thousands of people and stole millions of acres of land opposed Jimenez's extradition, arguing that sending him overseas would hurt efforts to seek compensation for his victims and prosecute his partners in crime. Attorney Alirio Uribe of the National Victims' Movement said Jimenez's absence means the bodies of many victims will never be found. But Judge Angelino Lizcano, speaking for the seven-judg- e panel Tuesday, said prosecutors can still travel to the United States seeking information to help victims. Before his surrender, Jimenez was accused of ordering massacres and of shipping tons of cocaine to the United States. Prosecutors say that while in jail, he became involved in a new gang war in northern Colombia. Colombia's paramilitaries were organized and funded by wealthy landowners and drug traffickers in an effort to wrest control of the countryside from leftist insurgents. United States. "Your friend Osiel Cardenas Guillen wishes you a Happy Children's Day," the banner read "You are the future of Mexico." For every cheeky public display, there are also darker messages, including threats carved into the bodies of shooting victims. In January, Mother's Day May 11 sury Department named Jimenez as a specially out presents at a party in the city of Acuna, across the border from southeast Texas. A banner said the party was sponsored by Osiel Cardenas Guillen, the Gulf cartel kingpin who is now imprisoned on drug traffickiiig diargesirrthe'" i Free $20 Argento Gift Certificate i 7 I tVr"7 later. The Jimenez, known by the alias "Macaco," surrendered in December 2006 as part of a peace pact with the I Associated Press writers government. More than 31,000 Vivian Sequera and Tatiana Guerrero contributed to this paramilitary fighters have demobilized under the 2003 report Spend $100 or more in same-da- y mall purchases and receive a $20 Argento Gift Certificate. Beginning April 28th, first 500 customers, one per customer. Visit www.shcpunlversftymalf.ccm Argento fcr details. 1 r.. MAGAZINE . ....mfimiA - j " |