Enrique Iglesias Gives A Healing Hand To Kids In Mexico

Posted by DD republished from Look to the Stars

DD:   As regular readers of Borderland Beat know we do not normally (I don't remember the last time we did) promote commercial or even philanthropic projects.   But this one hit a nerve.  Helping kids that have suffered and been traumatized  because of  the extreme violence occurring in parts of their country seems like a worth while project.  

********************

 

This is 12 year old Noemi Álvarez.  She hung herself in despair.

I AM SAD.  I do not care about anything today

For his North American tour with Pitbull, and two years after injuring his hand at a concert in Mexico, Grammy Award-winning artist Enrique Iglesias has once again teamed up with Save the Children to launch a new #Hearts4Kids T-shirt promotion to help children affected by poverty and violence in Mexico heal emotionally.

T he new #Hearts4Kids T-shirt campaign builds on Enrique’s 2015 partnership with Save the Children to provide immediate relief to children after a natural disaster. The new T-shirt campaign will help children who face extremely frightening events and devastating tragedy recover emotionally and thrive for years to come. Eleven dollars ($11) from the sale of each T-shirt will go to Save the Children’s Healing and Education through the Arts or HEART program in Mexico.

HEART uses the arts to help children who experience chronic stress from their life circumstances of poverty and other distressing events tell their personal, often painful, stories. Through drawing, dance, drama and other art activities, children learn how to express their feelings, such as fear, anger and grief, so they can thrive.

“My heart goes out to kids who live in a state of constant turmoil and stress,” said Enrique Iglesias. “I feel fortunate to partner with Save the Children once again to make the world a little better for children. Just as my compassionate fans have helped before, I am confident that this new project of love and hope will provide relief to children who feel disheartened.”

The #Hearts4Kids T-shirt is available for purchase for $27.50 online at www.enriqueiglesias.com and for $35.00 at all U.S. concert venues on his North American tour this June and September. The T-shirt will range in price at international concert venues. The new T-shirt is inspired from the original design, which was a heart drawn by Enrique Iglesias on his white T-shirt after a drone injured his hand during a concert in 2015. The new T-shirt is a crew neck with a photo of Enrique at that concert and is available in black or red with white lettering and image.

We are grateful to Enrique Iglesias and his fans for opening their hearts to help children living in some of the toughest circumstances in Mexico," said Maria Josefina Menéndez, country director of Save the Children in Mexico. “When children bury their emotions, it can delay their development and affect their mental health. Art can provide a creative outlet of expression, especially for young children who struggle to find the words for how they feel.”

Added Menéndez, “We have seen a dramatic change in children once they share their stories. Their burden is lifted and they can focus on learning in school.”

Save the Children launched HEART in Mexico in 2016. In year one, HEART reached nearly 8,000 Mexican children affected by poverty, violence and migration in five provinces, including Baja California, Chiapas, Mexico City, Oaxaca and Puebla. The arts-based program is built into existing curriculums for children at preschools, primary schools, child and youth centers, and summer programs, as well as migration prevention programs for teenagers. HEART incorporates local arts traditions and uses locally-sourced art products.

Tijuana: "La Perra", infamous El Teo ally released from prison, returns to the city

La Perra infamous Tijuana "El Teo" ally released from prison

Tijuana surpassed 2008, in terms of homicides, last year, but the years of 2008-2009 were the most shocking in their brutality, and killings. The city fell into numb terror and panic as the  Cartel Arellano Felix ruptured, and began savagely attacking each other, like two dogs in a cage, tearing at the other's throats, like a couple who know all the others secrets, and vulnerabilities.  One of the men responsible for this bloodshed, was released this month, silently, in Oaxaca.  Jose Filberto Ramos, of many corridos, and many killings returns to the battle he left almost 10 years ago. 

In early 2008 kidnappings at reached a crisis point, as the group of Teodoro "El Teo" Simental Garcia grew in size power, and audacity.  His men rejected the previous agreements of the mafia, and set up kidnapping rings and stash houses around the city, rumors of 50 gallon drums and cages in grim houses, where some were returned and many were not.

Teo, and other powerful CAF affiliates were not pleased with the choice of Fernando Sanchez Arellano as their boss, after his uncle, Javier Francisco Arellano's arrest in 2006.  There were multiple viable cell leaders who felt they deserved the position, including El Teo.  Gustavo Rivera Martinez, El EP 1, a longtime Arellano Felix trafficker and member, who was close with Endenina Arellano Felix, was one.  Jorge Brisceno, El Cholo, beloved and feared enforcer was another. 

The spot was given to El Inge, the younger junior, who had grown up, not in the mafia, until he was in his mid to late 20's.  He was considered weak, inexperienced, and hadn't made his way the way the others had, brutality, loyalty, and countless killings, high dollar drug trafficking, and years of paying their dues.  Resentments grew on both sides, as the kidnappings grew increasingly brazen, and Inge found his new leadership being questioned in Tijuana, as 2008 began.  

In April, the dogs were let off their leashes.  El Teo had grown powerful enough, with his own crew of enforcers and cell leaders, he wasn't even pretending to respect Inge. Lines were being drawn, people were asked, where their loyalty lie, blood was beginning to pour from the wounds of resentment and mistrust.  Jose Filberto Ramos, La Perra, was an early Teo defector, along with Raydel Lopez Uriarte, "El Muletas" both who would become infamous in Tijuana.  

After the Insurgentes shootouts of April, in which 13 gunmen were killed in a running shootout across the streets, the lines were clear.  Teo or Inge.  Divisions ran across cells, across families, across relationships, and the rules were death, torture, dismemberment for the wrong choice.  Teo fled to Sinaloa, and came back with a new partner of sorts, and a mission to turn Tijuana into a living hell for Inge, and any who would follow.  

La Perra was instrumental in this, and the shift into the massive, relentless retail drug epidemic that has consumed Tijuana, and fueled the frenzied violence.  Rather then trafficking cocaine, meth, and heroin across the border, La Perra, Muletas, formed retail outlets in the cities eastern zones, long their strongholds, which still remain.  La Perra was one of Teo's strong hands that helped contest the city. He was said to be present at the gunfight in 2008, as well as participating in the kidnapping and torture of police officers in 2008, and 2009. 

Teo, La Perra, and Muletas sowed fear and savagery across Tijuana, severed heads, cut out tongues by the dozen, burned bodies, and ones dissolved in acid by "El Pozolero".  They mocked Inge, calling him a mason and a bricklayer, and the two factions tore into each other's soldiers, girlfriends, families, hitting everywhere they could.  

Teo's girlfriend, Karla, El Telcel, was executed.  Close family members of El Inge were murdered.  Everyone called in tips for the PEP and Federal Police to raid stash houses.  The US released the most wanted in Tijuana, which read like a playlist of all the players fighting.  El Dani was first to fall, and by July, the Marina cornered La Perra, and he was consigned to prison.  

The DEA wanted Teo and his men stopped, as they turned Tijuana into a virtual killing field, Inge's lieutenants discussed executing a DEA official to get them to back off, as law enforcement strangled operations in the city, drug shipments couldn't make it across the border.  However, an indictment would have taken too long and the DEA decided to aid Mexico in the capture of Los Teo's, to cease or curb the violence.  As a result, none of Los Teos, including La Perra were ever able to be extradited to the United States. 

La Perra was released from prison in Oaxaca, which ends a long, arduous sentence, in which it is said he has been partially paralyzed from beatings.  He was incarcerated at Altiplano, with other known bosses, including Mario Cardenas, Erik Salazar Valencia (El 85, CJNG), his former boss El Teo, and La Barbie, and Eduardo Arellano Felix.He participated in numerous complaints alleging violations of his health, and safety, conditions he was subjected to. A cell mate said he was impossible to live with because "he was always angry".  

It is said he has returned to Tijuana, returned to the war of another decade, which still rages, with new players and faces, and alliances, but the same warm and cold blood, spilled out into the street.  

Sources: ZETA Tijuana 

Leader of Los Zetas in Oaxaca arrested

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Reforma article

Subject Matter: Los Zetas, Oaxaca
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required

The Agency for Criminal Investigation of the PGR detained David Rodriguez Dominguez, El Cancer, alleged leader of a cell of Los Zetas in Oaxaca, and in charge of the organization for the trafficking of arms and drugs from Guatemala and Costa Rica.

In an operation carried out in the town of San Dionisio Ocotepec, Oaxaca, the AIC also captured Efren Rodriguez Dominguez, El Pirul, brother of the criminal chief, and Martin Cruz Perales, according to an official communication.

According to information from the PGR, David Rodriguez, El Cancer, also known as El Charal or El Padrino, is a leader of a cell of Los Zetas in Oaxaca and state leader for activities such as drug trafficking, arms trafficking and robbery of fuel.

Fierce Battle in Guamuchil Leaves Six Dead

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from El Debate and Riodoce articles

Subject Matter: Sicario Gun Battle
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required

The confrontations between delinquent groups from Guamuchil and Mocorito, occurred this week, they started during the Fiestas de San Benito.

The festivities that were carried out in Mocorito, turned into a battle between antagonistic groups, with the usual gunfire that left an unofficial death toll of 12 persons.

The events started on Sunday night, when two organizations that hold power in local towns came out to confront each other and by Monday morning there were six dead, three of them innocent victims and 12 more injured.

La Potra from the Sinaloa Cartel detained

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Milenio article

Subject Matter: Cynthia Guadalupe Alvarado Campa
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required

Cynthia Guadalupe Alvarado Campa, identified as a cell leader for the Sinaloa cartel in Coahuila and Durango, was captured in Matamoros, she had an arrest warrant for aggravated kidnapping

Reporter: Ruben Mosso
La Potra, identified as second in command of the Sinaloa cartel in the States of Coahuila and Durango, was detained by elements of the Federal Police and State Authorities.

La Potra, was a member of GATE of the PGR of Coahuila, is in command of cells of the Sinaloa C cartel that allegedly has presence in Gomez Palacio and Lerdo, Durango, as well as Matamoros and San Pedro, Coahuila.

There exists an arrest warrant against Alvarado Campa for the crime of aggravated kidnapping committed against a group of two or more persons with violent acts, as in second in command of the criminal groups in the region.

Her detention, was achieved without a shot being fired, was carried out after technical analysis of information with which her location data was obtained.

She was then taken to the Torreon prison in Coahuila.

Original article in Spanish at Milenio

Tijuana, BC Unstoppable Violence: 9 Dead in Less than 24 Hours

Translated by Yaqui for Borderland Beat from La Zeta

Insecurity Remains Unstoppable

 In Tijuana, in less than 24 hours, nine people were killed in different parts of the city. The figure amounts to 12 deaths in the first two days of June. Today, June 3 at least one more murder has occurred.

The first criminal act was reported around 07:13 hours on a dirt road on the Alacranes Canyon, in the colonia of San Angel, a lifeless body of a female wrapped in blankets was found. The victim was between 30 and 35 years of age.

Later on a neighboring road in the Urbi Villas del Prado section: the corpse of an unidentified man was found.

In the IMSS Clinic 1: a man died due to bullet wounds. The events occurred on the Roberto de la Madrid St, in the Colonia San Luis.

On the same day in the Natura neighborhood: a man was shot who died minutes later in the General Hospital.

Around 06:40 hours on Friday, June 2, in Colonia Campestre Murua : an abandoned white Astro van, was located
with four corpses inside.

Finally, in Colonia La Morita: the burned corpse of a woman was located on Manzanos Street between Cerezos and Passionario.

BAR 7

This Sunday morning, a security guard inside Bar 7 was assassinated by unknown assailants, witnesses reported hearing 4 gunshots around 6:00 am. Municipal Police arrived along with Red Cross paramedics but the guard died minutes later.

There was not one person/suspect/criminal reportedly detained.

Tijuana: Severed heads found on Ensenada scenic road reveal gruesome killings

Severed heads found on Ensenada scenic road reveal gruesome killings

The scenic route to Ensenada, which winds and bends, with the summer breeze, contains some of the most beautiful, tranquil in the entire Baja state, and California's western coast.  The vineyards and landscapes are enchanting in their peace, to stand at Miramar point and watch the waves breaking across the Pacific, to watch as sunset settles across the bay is healing and inspiring in it's casual, natural beauty. 

The severed heads were found on the scenic road, close to Salsepuides Bay, in black bags, early on the morning of Monday, May 29th.  Last month, near that same side of the road, I was staring out of the window, with the same awed gaze, childlike wonder, I often have when traveling, by train in France, ferry in Spain, or driven in an SUV back to Tijuana.  

Francisco "N"

Valle was everything it's been described as, food that rivals the best kitchens of Tijuana, and L.A, hotels, naturalistic and creatively designed, and just the harsh beauty of nature, the way darkness falls with a heavy hand, the way it does not in the city.  It was a relief to relax against the mountains, take in the vineyards at sunset, distance from the heart, the mind, the memories and thoughts that awaken you in the morning. 

I read on Monday, severed heads, found on the highway, in black bags, and I paused.  I felt sorrow for the victims, and the community, and also a thought of what had really happened.  Why had this happened?  It bore the now unmistakable signs of drug violence, disarticulation, cheap black bags, tossed on the side of the road, casual cruelty, which mercilessly appear in Tijuana.  

Why this place?  There are small colonias that decorate the interior of the Guadelupe Valley, and they are no more well of then those in Ensenada or Tijuana.  It's with a guilty, heavy heart that I passed by the small stores, the school children, the little houses, amidst the luxuries and meals enjoyed by others.  They are small and not densely populated, there is not much retail drug business to be had. Though, years of knowledge, has condemned me with the reality that severe violence and killing will be committed for the seemingly smallest of rewards.  

Still, there is rarely violence, or mantas, or shootouts, or any of the signs in the Valle. But, this may have been a sign.  I didn't write a story.  I thought I had too, but I wanted to wait.  Would blame be assigned?  Would Zeta reveal a new emerging struggle for power as off shoots of Sinaloa backed players in Ensenada expanded their territory?

 Would I betray my still fresh memories of Valle, and the people I met, places I visited, by writing with blunt, stylistic tones about unspeakable, yet not unspeakable violence, that could threaten their existence?  

The victims were identified as retired teachers, a couple, living in nearby Colonias, Silvia Gonzalez Galindo, and Jose Roman Miranda, in their 60's.  Their corpses were located in Sanchez Taboada, Tijuana, one of the hottest colonias in the city, where bodies appear near daily.  They had been picked up on May 23rd, to go view a home for sale in Ensenada, by their friend, Francisco "N", also a teacher, in his early 50's. 

Francisco was arrested Friday, as one of two men suspected in the killings, decapitations of the retired couple, whom had known their killer. There no motive given, a WhatsApp  message to children related to the couple was received, stating "not to make waves", but no ransom message was ever sent, and the bodies were found a day or so later.

Later articles may detail why this couple was brutally killed, and dismembered, obviously, some of that was to conceal the crime, or try to have it lost in the sea of killings that take so many family members, friends, children from these communities.  It's happened before, in cities across Mexico, black bags and severed heads, to disguise a personal crime, a crime of passion, a financially motivated crime.

There's a blackness that lurks in many, maybe most people.  The victims died from neck injury from decapitation.  Their bodies were tossed in Tijuana, their heads in Valle.  Javier Francisco Arellano ordered the same fate for half dozen Rosarito Beach police officers, with whom he had a minor grudge, after they disturbed a narco bacchanal at one of his residences, in 2006.  

A blackness that can consume, as the sun's descent does in the Valle, final, smothering all in it's wake.

Sources: Zeta Tijuana, Ex Mexicano 

Massacre in Chichos bar in Chihuahua 6 dead 22 wounded

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a El Heraldo de Chihuahua, Proceso and Zetatijuana articles

Updated 4/6/17

Armed suspect with an AK47 walks in the Chichos Bar in Chihuahua and opens fire, killing 6 and wounding another 22

Six persons, four men and two women were killed and 22 persons were wounded after an armed man attacked the Chichos bar in Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, informed the attorney general of the Occidente Zone.

According to the attorney, a subject arrived at the bar on board an automobile, type Malibu around 0.55 am this Saturday morning and opened fire on employees and customers, with an AK47 or Cuerno de Chivo as its known its Mexico.

Three of Los Damasos Arrested for the Murder of BCS Reporter Max

Translated by Yaqui for Borderland Beat from Zeta

Facing Fifty Years in Prison for the Execution of Max

Carlos Alvarez for Zeta
June 1, 2017

The Security Coordination Group in Baja California Sur reported on the arrest - during an operation deployed last Tuesday in La Paz, Baja California Sur - of Juan "N", José "N" and Sergio "N", alleged perpetrators of the homicide of the journalist Maximino Rodríguez Palacios, committed last April 14 in the parking lot of a shopping center where he had gone shopping with his wife, who was unscathed.

Max and his Buddies

Max 

 Maximino Rodriguez Palacios, 72 years old at the time of his death, was a spokesman for the High Court of Justice and the PGJE, in addition, he worked as a correspondent for El Heraldo and Excélsior. Since 2014 he collaborated in the Colectivo Pericú, a portal of news and citizen denunciations. In addition, he wrote the column "Es mi Opinión", which addressed issues of security and politics.  

The three defendants were detained by elements of the Federal Police (PF) and the State Police in the colony El Progreso, BCS capital, along with six people who were found in possession of six long arms and presumed  to be  members of the criminal group "Los Dámaso", related to at least nine criminal acts that occurred in the entity, and which also operated in Los Cabos. A total of nine men were detained in the May 30 operation at a house in La Paz, BCS. They were detained with what was described as an arsenal.

"Los Dámaso" is a group that directed Dámaso López Núñez, one of the alleged new leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, who was arrested in Mexico City on May 2.

"During the research work, specialized elements were provided in the area of ​​freedom of expression and the release of highly specialized expert investigations, which allowed us to determine the probable responsibilities in the present case." Said Ricardo Sánchez Pérez del Pozo, Specialist for Crimes Against Freedom of Expression (Feadle).

"Our commitment to focus all institutional efforts to resolve all cases of attacks on journalists in our country and to continue working hand in hand with the journalistic guild and organized civil society," said the federal prosecutor.

BCS prosecutor Palemón Alamilla Villeda stated that it has been possible to establish from the investigations that the aggression against the communicator was probably due to the exercise of his profession. 

"Based on the full coordination between agents of the Public Ministry of the Common and Federal Courts, it was possible to obtain sufficient evidence to prove the probable participation of Juan 'N', José 'N' and Sergio 'N', in the homicide of the communicator , So they could face up to 50 years in prison," said the state official.

He also said that as part of the investigations, information was obtained from different chambers, shops and individuals, including videos from various surveillance cameras in the area where the journalist was executed, a very popular commercial square in the capital of BCS.

Max was Gunned Down While Shopping with his Wife 

For its part, the Attorney General's Office (PGR) reported that the three likely perpetrators of Rodríguez Palacios's murder were arrested after 45 days of investigations.

"During 45 days, the Attorney General of Justice of Baja California Sur (PGJE) and the PGR, through the FEADLE, carried out investigation in office and field, that led to establish the probability that the aggression against the communicator is related directly to the exercise of his profession," the agency said in a statement.

"Regarding the investigation initiated by FEADLE, the PGR Delegation in BCS and the PGJE carried out various expert investigations in which ballistics, criminalistics, lofoscopía, (study of finger prints)  legal medicine, among others, were obtained. Its opportunity, obtaining two search warrants for real buildings located in this capital, which resulted in the relationship of those now detained in the investigation to the death of the communicator, "said the PGR.

Suspects: "Los Chapitos" and "Los Damasos" in the Murder of Javier Valdez

Translated by Yaqui for Borderland Beat

From: Zeta Investigations

To Kill a Journalist Will Not Kill the Truth

PHOTOS: CUARTOSCURO.COM 

Print edition Research Zeta 

Monday, 22 May, 2017

The sons of "El Chapo"Guzmán, known as "Los Chapitos" who are involved in an internal war against Dámaso López, "El Licenciando", (now detained and imprisoned in Mexico), bought a massive edition of Ríodoce , where an interview was published, signed by Javier Valdez, and who was murdered there-after. The interview was conducted with an emissary of Dámaso Lopez that contradicted the version that "Los Chapitos" granted to Ciro Gómez Leyva.

 Weeks later, before the apprehension of Dámaso Lopez, Valdez wrote a report where after making a review of the criminal life of the capo, refers to sources who trusted him that they did not see the son of Dámaso Lopez likely to be the successor of the criminal cell. The two reports are to be analyzed to identify those responsible. The motive of the crime of the murder of Javier Valdez  was his work as a journalist, of that there is no doubt.

Ríodoce

Culiacán, Sinaloa .- Javier Valdez was being watched. They spied on him. His murderers knew what route he took every day as he left the offices of the weekly publication Ríodoce, located in a gray three-story building with silver windows, on the corner of Francisco Villa and Teófilo Noris, Colonia Jorge Almada.

They knew that he was parking his red Toyota Corolla in the small parking lot on the side of the building, and that he left around noon on Mondays after the meeting to discuss administrative issues and plan the work week.

"They knew Javier was taking the same route, they were watching all of us," one of the members of the media's reporter team said. It was the same routine for the author of "Los Morros del Narco" and "Narcoperiodismo", as well as for the rest of the journalists at Ríodoce.

According to the reconstruction offered by Ríodoce team, Javier Valdez Cárdenas left minutes after 12:00 pm on Monday May 15 in the aforementioned vehicle, owned by the company. He headed southwards on Teófilo Noris until reaching Avenida Ramón F. Iturbe, turned east a block and took the Vicente Riva Palacio. As he passed a nursery school, hooded subjects intercepted him and yanked him out of his car and shoved him down in the street.

They shot him in the abdomen and face. According to the coroner, there were 12 shots fired at close range, an expert said they apparently managed to get his hands also because his fingers were bursting due to bullet lacerations. In addition, they  gave him the "Tiro de Gracia", a shot to his head.

The perpetrators of the murder, the assassins, escaped in the vehicle of Javier, leaving behind his body in the middle of the street, face down, still wearing his customary Panama hat, stained with blood.

"We heard the noise as loud blows in the newsroom, but we did not know it was the bullets that were killing Javier; it wasn't until a local employee came running in to tell us that it was him ", narrates another member of the Ríodoce  team.

"Javier, get up, come on ! what you are you doing there ?",  was the only thing that occurred to him to shout when seeing his body in a bloody lake on the burning asphalt;  "Burning rubber " was a reference that Javier Valdez liked to put in his texts, memories of running around town chasing stories.

Minutes later, at 12:35 pm, it was reported that on the Avenida Aquiles Serdán, between Cristóbal Colón Street and Francisco I. Madero Boulevard, between the fence of a home and a street lamp post, the Toyota Corolla was abandoned.

"Violence is cowardly": Rap and poetry bring a new reality to Mexico's slums

Posted by DD Republished from Al Dia Culture

 By EFE

 

Members of urban rap group Radio Tepito Sound System (L-R) Cesar Cova, Daniel Cruz, Arianna Ramos and Adan Romero In Mexico City, Mexico, May 30, 2017. EFE/Mario Guzman

 Tepito, located in the heart of Mexico City, is going through a social revolution thanks largely to the urban rap group Radio Tepito Sound System, which is out to bring a new reality to a poor neighborhood notorious for violence and drug trafficking.

The band with its 10 young musicians distances itself from crime and uses its raw poetry to portray the struggling masses, urban atmosphere and violence on the streets.

"Speaking is the best weapon, not violence; violence is cowardly," rapper Daniel Cruz told EFE.

Music will never be the whole story for the Tepito group - they are the philanthropists of their neighborhood, collecting and distributing clothing, toys and food for the needy.

With these good deeds, members of Radio Tepito Sound System hope to teach their neighborhood the meaning of all for one and one for all.

Cruz says the group seeks "to change the image Tepito shows the world" and reveal its largely hidden side of undeniable cultural riches.

The youths, who mix music with their studies, do not remain indifferent to the tumultuous life around them, for that is the inspiration for many of their lyrics.

Adan Romero, known as H.R., said that since his teen years he has seen several family members die, both young and old.

"Those are not things a 15-year-old ought to see," the youth said with misty eyes, though adding he is proud to sing "for those people who aren't here anymore."

And he sends a clear message: "Being from Tepito doesn't mean being violent."

He also talks about the worst times these slums have to offer.

"Many take advantage (of difficult times) to inflict violence, stage robberies, take drugs...I use them to make music," he said proudly.

Cesar Cova said he started writing poetry in elementary school to ignore the grim atmosphere surrounding him.

The artist said he was repeatedly warned about the dangers on the street, something that helped turn him to music.

"My lyrics talk about everything. The truth is, we live in a neighborhood where you can expect anything," he said.

The group was born when Cesar Cova and rapper Jonathan Alvarez called for musicians to teach young people "to shed their vices by playing music."

"We taught kids singing, music, rhythm, poetry," Cova said.

Today it is rap, trap and fusion with R&B and reggae that combine to pour out the sound of a band that takes its inspiration from the urban chaos of Mexico City.

Radio Tepito Sound System is just one example of the cultural upheaval that is acting as a game-changer in poor neighborhoods like Tepito, where talent begins to play a more important role than crime.

Bloody Veracruz, 831 executions this year

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Noreste article

Subject Matter: Homicides in Veracruz
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required

In May sources gave account of 143 persons who were victims or violent homicide, events apparently related to organized crime. Cordoba, Poza Rica, Coatzacoalcos and Veracruz are the cities with the highest rate of incidents.

State and Federal authorities are coordinating forces to redouble the security in the zones of the State with the most criminal incidents, organized criminals have Veracruz in a bloodbath, and every day there are more executions, in May there were no less than 143 in total.

For the Priista Senator Hector Yunes Landa, he has not spared the Federal support for security, and more soldiers and more marines, Federal Preventative Police and National Gendarmerie, but despite all these reinforcements, they have not been able to rescue the State from the clutches of organized crime.

"Insecurity today, as never before, hurts all Veracruzans. Families feel vulnerable to it and impunity; Today, in our State, crimes are committed virtually at any time, and anywhere", said the legislator.