Latest news with #OmarGarciaHarfuch
CBS News
7 hours ago
- CBS News
Mexico busts cartel-linked extortion ring in historic crackdown; exotic animals and cars seized
Mexico's government said Wednesday it had dismantled a criminal group behind a massive extortion scheme in the biggest such operation to date. The gang, with ties to a major drug cartel, had operated out of the central State of Mexico, extorting companies and individuals in 14 municipalities and controlling labor unions in the construction, mining, agriculture and parcel delivery industries. "Combating this criminal group was an urgent need to protect the local economy and the peace of thousands of families," said Mexico's Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch. The crackdown — dubbed Operation "Liberacion" — saw nearly 3,000 security personnel carry out 52 raids, resulting in eight arrests of people believed to be the gang's leaders, Garcia Harfuch said on social media. Police also seized stolen farm and exotic animals, meat, tons of construction materials, and vehicles. Garcia Harfuch said it was "the largest" operation ever carried out against extortion gangs, which are notorious and widespread in Mexico. "This case is a clear example of what we can achieve when there is willingness, collaboration and a shared commitment to justice," Garcia Harfach said in a statement. A video released by authorities showed officers carrying out multiple raids across Mexico on July 21. Cartels in many parts of Mexico have expanded into kidnapping and extortion to increase their income, demanding money from residents and business owners and threatening to kidnap or kill them if they refuse. Last July, a Mexican fisheries industry leader who complained of drug cartel extortion and illegal fishing was shot to death in the northern border state of Baja California. The killing in the port city of Ensenada came just hours after Pérez complained of widespread competition from illegal fishing. Ordinary citizens are also targeted with extortion. Last January, a cartel in the embattled central Mexico state of Michoacan set up its own makeshift internet antennas and told locals they had to pay to use its Wi-Fi service or they would be killed, prosecutors said. Dubbed "narco-antennas" by local media, the cartel's system involved internet antennas set up in various towns built with stolen equipment. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Al Arabiya
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
El Salvador recalls Mexico ambassador over cocaine plane row
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele recalled his ambassador to Mexico on Wednesday and asked the country to clarify its security chief's claim that an intercepted plane loaded with cocaine had originated in El Salvador. Mexican security secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said Tuesday that authorities had detected a small plane 'originating in El Salvador' carrying 428 kilos (940 pounds) of cocaine, and that they had arrested three people. Bukele called the claim 'FALSE' in a post on X Wednesday and said he was recalling El Salvador's ambassador Delmy Canas. 'We demand an immediate clarification and rectification from the Mexican government,' Bukele said separately at a press conference, releasing a video of Garcia Harfuch's statements. According to the Salvadoran president, last week Costa Rica reported 'a suspicious aircraft trace northwest of its territory,' which triggered a 'regional alert' in a Central American air security network. The plane's 'trace' indicated that it 'entered Costa Rica, briefly disappeared from radar, and then reappeared, heading out toward the Pacific Ocean,' Bukele added, underscoring that the three people arrested were Mexican citizens. 'Our radars did not register any aerial contact within our territory,' said Bukele, who displayed a map he said 'clearly shows' the route 'well south of El Salvador and Nicaragua.' The trace 'was confirmed' by the United States Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS), which 'monitors illicit trafficking in the region,' he added. 'El Salvador does not hide criminals or tolerate drug trafficking. We didn't do it before, and we won't do it now. Nor will we allow them to try to involve us in operations that don't concern us or belong to us,' Bukele said. Central America is a gateway for cocaine sent from South American cartels to the United States, the world's largest consumer of the drug. Bukele is widely popular for his war on gangs, which has reduced violence in his country to historic lows, but he has drawn criticism from rights groups for restricting freedoms and allowing mass arrests without a warrant.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
El Salvador recalls ambassador to Mexico after drug trafficking claims
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) -Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said on Wednesday he was recalling his country's ambassador to Mexico for consultations after its security minister claimed a drug trafficking plane had come from the Central American nation, which Bukele denied. In a post on X, Bukele said Mexico needed to clarify and rectify Tuesday's comments by the minister, Omar Garcia Harfuch, that the plane flown by drug traffickers had come from El Salvador before it was intercepted in the Mexican state of Colima. "We are summoning our ambassador in Mexico for consultations regarding this situation," Bukele added. Bukele provided a map of the plane's alleged flight path in which it appeared off the coast of Costa Rica, to the south of El Salvador, before heading north across the Pacific. "The plane flew over the Pacific Ocean and never touched Salvadoran territory," he said. Responding to Bukele on Wednesday, Garcia Harfuch said Mexican airspace authorities had first detected the plane about 200 km (120 miles) south of San Salvador. A map he posted on X also showed the plane's flight path across the Pacific. Mexican authorities said the three aboard were arrested and 427 kg (940 lb) of cocaine were seized after the plane landed. Bukele said the men were all Mexican, a fact the Mexican government had not made public. "El Salvador does not hide criminals or tolerate drug trafficking; we didn't do that before, and we won't do that now," Bukele said. "Nor will we allow them to try to involve us in operations that are not our responsibility." Garcia Harfuch acknowledged the men were Mexican and said they were facing criminal charges. "We reiterate our respect and appreciation for the people of El Salvador," he said.
Reuters
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
El Salvador recalls ambassador to Mexico after drug trafficking claims
SAN SALVADOR, July 9 (Reuters) - Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said on Wednesday that he was recalling the Central American nation's ambassador to Mexico for consultations after Mexico's security minister claimed a drug trafficking plane had come from El Salvador, which Bukele denied. Bukele, in a post on X, said that the Mexican government needed to clarify and rectify the comments made by Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch. Garcia Harfuch, speaking in a morning press conference on Tuesday, had claimed that a small plane flown by drug traffickers had come from El Salvador before being intercepted in the Mexican state of Colima. Bukele shared a map of the plane's alleged flight path, which showed it appearing off the coast of Costa Rica - to the south of El Salvador - before heading north across the Pacific. "The plane flew over the Pacific Ocean and never touched Salvadoran territory," he said. According to Mexican authorities, the three men aboard were arrested and 427 kilograms of cocaine were seized after the plane landed in Colima. Bukele said that the men were all Mexican, "something no media outlet or official source has published so far." "El Salvador does not hide criminals or tolerate drug trafficking; we didn't do that before, and we won't do that now," Bukele said. "Nor will we allow them to try to involve us in operations that are not our responsibility." Mexico's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
El Salvador recalls ambassador to Mexico after drug trafficking claims
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Mexican Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Omar Garcia Harfuch speaks during a press conference with Mexican Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero about the extradition of 29 drug cartel members to the U.S, at the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico February 28, 2025. REUTERS/Raquel Cunha/File photo SAN SALVADOR - Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said on Wednesday that he was recalling the Central American nation's ambassador to Mexico for consultations after Mexico's security minister claimed a drug trafficking plane had come from El Salvador, which Bukele denied. Bukele, in a post on X, said that the Mexican government needed to clarify and rectify the comments made by Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch. Garcia Harfuch, speaking in a morning press conference on Tuesday, had claimed that a small plane flown by drug traffickers had come from El Salvador before being intercepted in the Mexican state of Colima. Bukele shared a map of the plane's alleged flight path, which showed it appearing off the coast of Costa Rica - to the south of El Salvador - before heading north across the Pacific. "The plane flew over the Pacific Ocean and never touched Salvadoran territory," he said. According to Mexican authorities, the three men aboard were arrested and 427 kilograms of cocaine were seized after the plane landed in Colima. Bukele said that the men were all Mexican, "something no media outlet or official source has published so far." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore Anjani Sinha has a rough day at Senate hearing Asia Dr M at 100: Still haunted by the Malay Dilemma World Trump issues tariff notices to 7 minor trading partners, hits Brazil with 50% tariff Singapore Apex court upholds SMC's conviction of doctor who gave patients unapproved hormones Multimedia 60 objects to mark SG60: Which is your favourite? Singapore Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand for suspected drug trafficking and handed over to CNB Business US Fed minutes show divide on rate cut pace, tariff impacts Business SGX securities turnover up 23% in June, bringing financial year's gain to 28% "El Salvador does not hide criminals or tolerate drug trafficking; we didn't do that before, and we won't do that now," Bukele said. "Nor will we allow them to try to involve us in operations that are not our responsibility." Mexico's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. REUTERS
