R 180206Z MAR 09
FM AMCONSUL GUADALAJARA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1298
INFO AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMCONSUL GUADALAJARA

UNCLAS GUADALAJARA 000101 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC MX CASC
SUBJECT: JALISCO VIOLENCE CONTINUES WITH GRENADE ATTACK TARGETING 
GUADALAJARA POLICE 
 
REF: GUADALAJARA 92 
 
¶1. (SBU) The recent increase in violent activity within 
Guadalajara's consular district continued over the past weekend 
with a series of significant incidents. While there is still no 
indication that any of the violence is specifically targeting 
American citizens nor American interests of any kind, the 
aggressive tactics and weaponry targeting host country law 
enforcement within the city limits of Guadalajara is of concern. 
As reported in reftel, Guadalajara's Emergency Action Committee 
reached a consensus last week that the security posture of the 
U.S. Consulate remains appropriate. 
 
¶2. (U) On the evening of March 11th, 2009 Guadalajara police 
attempted to stop a 1990 pickup truck for a routine traffic 
check. However the suspects did not obey instructions to pull 
over and tried to evade the patrol car. The suspects were 
apprehended following a high speed pursuit and local authorities 
confiscated a 9mm handgun and a G-3 rifle found in the vehicle. 
The Jalisco State Attorney General's office questioned both 
suspects and subsequently located more weapons stored at three 
different addresses, mainly in the Huentitan area which is 
approximately 15 miles from the Consulate. Authorities stated 
publicly that the suspects may belong to the "Zetas" drug 
cartel. Included in the now confiscated arsenals were five AR15 
rifles, two 9mm handguns, two .12 gauge shotguns, one RPG 
launcher, ten ballistic vests, six .40 cal grenades, two 
"fragment" type grenades, numerous boxes of ammunition for the 
following calibers, 9mm, 7.62, .308, and .223. In addition to 
the weapons found, various detachable magnetic logos for local 
telephone and electric companies were found (Telmex, Telcel, 
CFE). Police believe these logos could be easily attached to the 
individuals' vehicles, to help the suspects pass disguised 
through military and police checkpoints. The investigation is 
ongoing. 
 
¶3. (SBU) On Saturday, March 14, 2009 at approximately 2:00AM, 
two Guadalajara Police Department (GPD) officers were the 
targets of a fragmentation grenade attack launched while the 
officers were parked in their patrol car at a convenience store 
located in Calzada Independencia, Norte and Calle Monte 
Calvario, approximately 15 miles from the U.S. Consulate in 
Guadalajara. The attacker launched the fragmentation grenade, 
which fell and exploded in a window flower box, however the 
officers who were in the parking lot in their patrol car were 
not injured. The store, a car and a phone booth were damaged by 
the explosion, there were however no casualties. The suspect was 
arrested as he tried to flee the scene and later identified as 
Guillermo Garcia ANTONIO Izquierdo, 25, originally from Tabasco, 
Mexico.  Subsequent to the arrest of ANTONIO Izquierdo, 
utilizing information obtained during the arrest, officers 
entered a building located near the Medical West Center in 
Guadalajara. Inside the building were two Silverado trucks, 
which contained three duffle bags. The bags contained yet 
another significant arsenal including another 12 grenades, 40 
caliber pistol, 15 fragmentation grenades, two G-3 rifles, three 
AK-47 rifles, five AR-15 rifles, two of them equipped with 
grenade launchers, six 9-mm pistols, a .223 caliber weapon, and 
two M-16 rifles. 
 
¶4. (SBU) It is worth noting that the location of the grenade 
attack is approximately 1.5 miles from the Guadalajara Zoo which 
is visited by many USG employees and their family members on a 
regular basis. However, no American citizens nor any USG 
employees were affected by this particular attack due to the 
early morning hours of the incident. 
 
¶5. (U) Guadalajara's EAC will continue to monitor the situation 
and all members will remain in close contact with their local 
U.S. and Mexican contacts in the meantime. For comments or 
questions, please contact RSO David Nelson at 52-33-3268-2107. 
 
RAMOTOWSKI