Barrio Azteca may issue 'green light' to kill El Paso law officers

Homeland Security alert:
By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
Posted: 03/24/2010 04:59:50 PM MDT

Fighting the border drug war
Barrio Azteca threat targets law officersTeen sisters among 5 deaths in JuárezTeenage sisters shot to death in JuárezDeath threat deadline on Juárez mayor is today3 slain during attack at Juárez funeral homeUS delegation applies pressure on killings, policyClinton: Consulate-linked murders were attacks against US, Mexico governmentsClinton in Mexico: Drug cartels 'fighting against both of our governments'Law agencies seek grant for border crimeSlayings escalate: Clinton heads to Mexico City to discuss aid packageEffort against Azteca gang results in 54 arrestsFBI: No leads on consulate deathsSeeking solutions: Ending drug-war violence may take more long-term stepsFamily, friends mourn couple slain in JuárezTip leads authorities to remains of 3 bodiesJuárez volunteers: Fear of violence, drug war keeps many awayReyes: U.S. should do more to help Mexico fight organized crimeCalderón visits while Juárez seethes: President offers plan to 'rescue' cityOfficials expect arrest in consulate-linked killings in JuárezTexas Gov. Rick Perry orders activation of first phase of Texas spillover violence contingency planEL PASO -- An alert has been issued warning law enforcement in El Paso to be cautious of possible retaliation by the Barrio Azteca gang because of a gang sweep last week.
The alert out of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that there is uncorroborated information that "the Barrio Azteca gang may issue a 'green light' authorizing the attempted murder of LEOs (law enforcement officers) in the El Paso area."

A "green light" is an approved hit or murder. The possible retaliation is because of the recent arrest of 54 members and associates of the gang during Operation Knock Down, which was in response to the killings of three people linked to the U.S. Consulate in Juárez.

Mexican authorities had said the unsolved killings may have been the work of the Aztecas, who serve as enforcers for the Juárez drug cartel.

Read a full story in Thursday's El Paso Times.