Los Zetas

Los Zetas (pronounced: [los ˈsetas], Spanish for "The Zs") is a Mexican criminal syndicate, considered by the US government to be "the most technologically advanced, sophisticated, powerful, ruthlessly violent and dangerous cartel operating in Mexico." The origins of Los Zetas date back to the late 1990s when commandos of the Mexican Army deserted their ranks and began working as the enforcement arm of the Gulf Cartel. In February 2010, Los Zetas broke away from their former employer and formed their own criminal organization.

Unlike other traditional criminal organizations in Mexico, drug trafficking makes up only around 50% of the revenue of Los Zetas, while a large portion of their income comes from other activities directed against rival drug cartels and civilians. Their brutal tactics, which include beheadings to terrorize their rivals and intimidate them, torture, and indiscriminate slaughter, show that they often prefer brutality over bribery. Los Zetas are Mexico's largest drug cartel in terms of geographical presence, overtaking their rivals, the Sinaloa Cartel. Los Zetas also operate through protection rackets, assassinations, extortion, kidnappings and other activities. The organization is based in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, directly across the border from Laredo, Texas.