Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico Police Chief Resigns

By: Jose G. Landa

The City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico Chief of Police, Jose Gerardo Moreno Veloz, announced his resignation effective on Sunday, January 6, 2013, due to personal reasons after only being eight months in office. Raul Cerda was named interim Chief of Police of the 200,000 population strong Mexican border city on the United States-Mexico border opposite of Eagle Pass, Texas.

On September 17, 2012, 132 prisoners escaped at the State prison, CERESO, in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, making it the second largest massive prison escape in Mexico. Since that prison escape, Piedras Negras has been under intense and fierce firefights among state and federal police and military forces and armed civilian groups.

Since September 17, 2012, the once 250 strong Piedras Negras, Coahuila Police Force has lost over 100 officers who either did not pass the State of Coahuila’s confidence test, were terminated, or resigned, leaving the City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila with less than 150 police officers. Piedras Negras citizens rely on the Mexican military and Navy Marines and a newly-formed State of Coahuila special force known as GATE for safety and protection in this once peaceful and tranquil Mexican border city.