Melquisedet Angulo Córdova
Encyclopedia
Melquisedet Angulo Córdova was a Mexican
3rd Petty Officer with the Navy's
Special Forces
. He was from Tabasco
. Córdova was killed on December 16, 2009 during a gun battle in Cuernavaca
against members of the Beltrán-Leyva Cartel
.
Córdova was among the military forces that surrounded an upscale apartment complex harboring Arturo Beltrán Leyva, the cartel leader and one of the three most wanted criminals in Mexico. Córdova and two other navy personnel were wounded by a hand grenade, and Córdova succumbed to his injuries as he was being treated by medical personnel. He was the only special forces soldier killed during the gunfight. Arturo Beltrán Leyva was killed during the battle, and six of his gunmen were arrested. Córdova was 30 at the time of his death.
Córdova was honored as a Mexican hero during his funeral on December 21, 2009, in his home state of Tabasco
. He received the highest military honors offered by the country, and was ushered to his grave by an honor guard of commandos wearing camouflage fatigues. His mother, Irma Córdova Palma, was presented a folded flag by Secretary of the Navy
Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza. On December 22, only hours after the funeral, gunmen barged into the home of Córdova's family and fired nearly three dozen bullets. Irma Córdova Palma was killed, along with Córdova's brother, sister and aunt. Gudiel Ivan Sanchez was later arrested in Chiapas
for his alleged role as one of the gunmen in the killings.
The killings were believed to be retaliation for the death of Arturo Beltrán-Leyva, as well as a warning against the military forces involved in President
Felipe Calderón
's war on Mexico's drug cartels. Although reprisals against families are not uncommon during the Mexican Drug War
, the murders of the family members of an already slain soldier are considered a very rare form of intimidation
, and seem to violate a basic code of conduct prevalent even among hitmen and traffickers. The Córdova family was not afforded any special protection, and the shootings prompted questions as to whether Córdova's funeral should have been made so public. Experts also questioned whether the retaliation may have been prompted by the decision by authorities to show off pictures of Arturo Beltrán Leyva's dead body.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
3rd Petty Officer with the Navy's
Mexican Navy
The Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...
Special Forces
Mexican Special Forces
In Mexico both the Army and Navy have special forces groups or elite units.-Army Special Forces:The Army has a Special Forces Corps unified command consisting of 3 Special Forces Brigades, a High Command GAFE group, a GAFE group assigned to the Airborne Brigade and several Amphibious Special...
. He was from Tabasco
Tabasco
Tabasco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tabasco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 17 municipalities and its capital city is Villahermosa....
. Córdova was killed on December 16, 2009 during a gun battle in Cuernavaca
Cuernavaca
Cuernavaca is the capital and largest city of the state of Morelos in Mexico. It was established at the archeological site of Gualupita I by the Olmec, "the mother culture" of Mesoamerica, approximately 3200 years ago...
against members of the Beltrán-Leyva Cartel
Beltrán-Leyva Cartel
The Beltrán-Leyva Cartel was a Mexican drug cartel and organized crime syndicate founded by the four Beltrán Leyva brothers: Marcos Arturo, Carlos, Alfredo and Héctor....
.
Córdova was among the military forces that surrounded an upscale apartment complex harboring Arturo Beltrán Leyva, the cartel leader and one of the three most wanted criminals in Mexico. Córdova and two other navy personnel were wounded by a hand grenade, and Córdova succumbed to his injuries as he was being treated by medical personnel. He was the only special forces soldier killed during the gunfight. Arturo Beltrán Leyva was killed during the battle, and six of his gunmen were arrested. Córdova was 30 at the time of his death.
Córdova was honored as a Mexican hero during his funeral on December 21, 2009, in his home state of Tabasco
Tabasco
Tabasco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tabasco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 17 municipalities and its capital city is Villahermosa....
. He received the highest military honors offered by the country, and was ushered to his grave by an honor guard of commandos wearing camouflage fatigues. His mother, Irma Córdova Palma, was presented a folded flag by Secretary of the Navy
Secretary of the Navy (Mexico)
In Mexico, the Secretary of the Navy is a member of the federal executive cabinet with responsibility for managing the country's navy and marine forces. The secretary is appointed by the President of the Republic and heads the Secretariat of the Navy...
Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza. On December 22, only hours after the funeral, gunmen barged into the home of Córdova's family and fired nearly three dozen bullets. Irma Córdova Palma was killed, along with Córdova's brother, sister and aunt. Gudiel Ivan Sanchez was later arrested in Chiapas
Chiapas
Chiapas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas is one of the 31 states that, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 118 municipalities and its capital city is Tuxtla Gutierrez. Other important cites in Chiapas include San Cristóbal de las...
for his alleged role as one of the gunmen in the killings.
The killings were believed to be retaliation for the death of Arturo Beltrán-Leyva, as well as a warning against the military forces involved in President
President of Mexico
The President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
Felipe Calderón
Felipe Calderón
Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa is the current President of Mexico. He assumed office on December 1, 2006, and was elected for a single six-year term through 2012...
's war on Mexico's drug cartels. Although reprisals against families are not uncommon during the Mexican Drug War
Mexican Drug War
The Mexican Drug War is an ongoing armed conflict taking place among rival drug cartels who fight each other for regional control, and Mexican government forces who seek to combat drug trafficking. However, the government's principal goal has been to put down the drug-related violence that was...
, the murders of the family members of an already slain soldier are considered a very rare form of intimidation
Intimidation
Intimidation is intentional behavior "which would cause a person of ordinary sensibilities" fear of injury or harm. It's not necessary to prove that the behavior was so violent as to cause terror or that the victim was actually frightened.Criminal threatening is the crime of intentionally or...
, and seem to violate a basic code of conduct prevalent even among hitmen and traffickers. The Córdova family was not afforded any special protection, and the shootings prompted questions as to whether Córdova's funeral should have been made so public. Experts also questioned whether the retaliation may have been prompted by the decision by authorities to show off pictures of Arturo Beltrán Leyva's dead body.