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### Viewing cable 10MEXICO77, MEXICO: TAPACHULA ARMS CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON SOUTHERN BORDER

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
10MEXICO77 | 2010-01-25 17:05 | 2010-12-11 21:09 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Mexico

`

    VZCZCXRO7275
    RR RUEHCD RUEHHO RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS
    DE RUEHME #0077/01 0251722
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    R 251706Z JAN 10
    FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0177
    INFO ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
    RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
    RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
    RHMFISS/CDR USNORTHCOM PETERSON AFB CO
    RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
    RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
    RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
    RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
    RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
    RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MEXICO 000077

    SENSITIVE
    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/25
    TAGS: SNAR PREL PGOV PHUM KCRM MX
    SUBJECT: MEXICO: TAPACHULA ARMS CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON SOUTHERN BORDER
    PROBLEMS

    REF: 09 MEXICO 2952

    CLASSIFIED BY: Gustavo Delgado, Political Minister Counselor; REASON:
    1.4(B), (D)

    ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Two recent arms trafficking conferences -- one
    in September focused on the northern border (reftel) and a
    subsequent one in Tapachula, looking at the southern border --
    highlighted lax border controls and suggested ways to improve law
    enforcement efforts to stem the tide of illegal guns. This cable
    reports on the Tapachula discussion, and off-site trips to three
    different border locations, which offered dramatic evidence of the
    porous southern border and serious resource shortfalls, and helped
    focus attention on ways to help Mexico, Guatemala and Belize
    address shared border security challenges. End Summary.

    Follow Up on the Southern Border

    --------------------------------------------- --

    ¶2. (SBU) Many of the GOM and USG law enforcement officials who
    participated in the Tapachula conference in October had also
    attended the earlier Northern Border Conference in Phoenix. This
    time, however, Belize's National Police and representatives from
    Guatemala's Attorney General's office also participated, adding a
    new wrinkle to the discussion by presenting an overview of arms
    trafficking laws in their countries and suggesting ways in which
    they could improve coordination with Mexico and the U.S. with
    regards to illegal arms trafficking.

    The Ground Truth: Laws Not Enough

    --------------------------------------------- -----

    ¶3. (SBU) Each country highlighted internal controls that regulate
    the sale, distribution, and transport of weapons and ammunition,
    drawing attention to sanctions against the unlawful transport of
    weapons across any national boundary. Unfortunately, our visit to
    three border crossings between Guatemala and Mexico in Chiapas
    revealed neither country presently works seriously to enforce these
    laws.

    ¶4. (SBU) At the first border crossing in Talisman, Chiapas, the
    conference participants witnessed almost as many individuals
    crossing the border illegally as legally. Immigration officials
    conjectured that individuals crossing illegally under the bridge
    were either visiting family members on the other side of border or
    engaging in informal commerce. Although the delegation did not
    have an opportunity to talk with any of the individuals crossing
    under the bridge at the border, it appeared the majority were
    carrying what appeared to be personal belongings rather than items
    of commerce.

    ¶5. (SBU) The border officials made every attempt to illustrate a
    secure border crossing, but their explanations highlighted serious
    procedural inconsistencies that undermine effective controls. While
    border officials inspect 100 percent of the individuals and cars
    crossing the bridge legally, the data collected is stored in a
    local database that is not connected to federal or international
    criminal databases. Border officials are also hampered by their
    lack of access to national registries that would allow them to
    determine if the individuals crossing are on any criminal or
    terrorist watchlists. Mexican law allows individuals to cross the
    border with an "original" identification document but does not
    prescribe what constitutes an "original" document. As long as the
    individual agrees to confine one's visit to the state of Chiapas

    MEXICO 00000077 002 OF 003

    and return to Guatemala after an undefined period of time, one is
    granted admission to the country. Limited resources also undermine
    the effort: while there are 30,000 U.S. CBP officers on the 1,926
    mile Mexican/U.S. border, only 125 Mexican immigration officials
    monitor the 577 mile border with Guatemala. Mexican immigration
    officials repeatedly confirmed that they do not have the manpower
    or resources to direct efforts effectively along the southern
    border.

    ¶6. (SBU) The tour continued to the Ciudad Hidalgo station on the
    Pan American highway, the border crossing with highest number of
    legal crossings in Chiapas. Border officials estimated that on a
    daily basis 95% of all exports, 350-400 shipments; and 26% of all
    imports, flow through these border crossings to and from Central
    America. Additionally, 80-100 carloads of visitors pass through
    the border on a daily basis. While officials displayed an
    impressive array of non-intrusive inspection equipment, e.g.,
    hand-held spectrometers for the identification of drugs and
    explosives and gamma-ray inspection equipment for large containers,
    these devices are not incorporated effectively into border control
    protocols. Border officials were inconsistent in using their
    inspection equipment to check the cabs of trucks and there is no
    revealed coordinated approach between Mexico and Guatemala to share
    information that would reduce crossing times and avoid duplicative
    inspections, as, for example, is being done at certain places in
    the Mexican-U.S. border.

    ¶7. (SBU) The final border crossing only served to re-inforce the
    concerns that emerged from the first two sites the group visited.
    One of the most memorable images of the day was the steady flow of
    rafts transporting people and goods across the river illegally
    within sight of the legal border crossing.

    Family Feuds Prevent Internal Coordination

    --------------------------------------------- ---------------

    ¶8. (C) The last part of the conference consisted of open and frank
    panel discussions. The most interesting discussion focused on
    information and intelligence sharing among Mexican agencies,
    including the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), the Marine
    Secretariat (SEMAR), the Office of the Attorney General (PGR), and
    the Center for Investigation and National Security (CISEN). The
    discussion started with many self-congratulatory comments from
    panel members on how well their respective organizations collect
    and share information. The lack of coordination between federal
    and state officials became apparent when a representative from the
    Chiapas State Attorney General's Office complained that his state
    does not receive any information from the federal authorities and
    has no input or visibility in the federal process. While the state
    representative acknowledged a common perception of corruption at
    the state level, he argued it was counterproductive and illogical
    to exclude them from the process. Other participants recognized an
    acceptable process for intelligence collection, but complained
    about inadequate dissemination of actionable information and
    insufficient formal mechanisms for sharing collected information.

    Conclusions and Follow Up Actions

    --------------------------------------------- -----

    ¶9. (SBU) The conference generated a list of eight conclusions,
    including few measurable actions. Several of the conclusions

    MEXICO 00000077 003 OF 003

    focused on the need to explore mechanisms for better
    information-sharing with international partners or internally.
    There was consensus on the need to regionalize arms-trafficking
    efforts, specifically by including Guatemala in future GC Armas
    meetings in Mexico. Guatemalan representation pledged to review
    current procedures and incorporate practices that will improve
    interagency coordination and information. Mexico and Guatemala
    agreed to work on practical measures to facilitate the flow of
    information between the two countries on the issue of arms
    trafficking. Belize also suggested a formal dialogue with Mexico
    on increasing the number of formal border crossings between the two
    countries, as a way to improve border controls.

    Comment

    --------------

    ¶10. (C) This conference highlighted weak controls on Mexico's
    southern border that are contributing to problems with illegal
    migration and guns/drugs smuggling. Much more needs to be done to
    improve secure information sharing among federal agencies and
    between Federal and State officials in Mexico. Better cooperation
    among Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize could also help coordinate
    current efforts by each state and ensure that existing laws are
    enforced. The conference represented a small first step in that
    direction, a follow-up meeting in February 2010 will provide
    another opportunity to strengthen joint efforts.
    FEELEY

`