Mexican Mayors Arrested

Twenty-seven politicians in the western Mexican state of Michoacan were arrested by police in the largest operation to target mayors and other officials in Mexico’s drug war. The politicians are suspected of collaborating with the state’s powerful narco-syndicates.

Los Angeles Times:

Mexican security forces swept into President Felipe Calderon’s home state of Michoacan on Tuesday and arrested a total of 27 mayors and other government officials, the largest operation to target politicians in Mexico’s bloody drug war.

The officials, including 10 mayors, are being investigated for alleged ties to drug traffickers and other organized crime syndicates that in effect control large sections of Michoacan, the federal attorney general’s office said.

Michoacan Gov. Leonel Godoy, in a brief, curt appearance before reporters, confirmed the arrests and said he had not been notified ahead of time.

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USA Today

Mexican soldiers during an earlier operation in Michoacan, where 27 politicians were arrested Tuesday.