By Luis Salomon and Jaime Ortega.
Dr. Theodore Karasik is the Director of Research and Consultancy at the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA) in Dubai.
1) Is it somewhat possible that Mexican Cartels could work alongside Islamic terrorist groups and have training camps inside of Mexico? And have you ever heard about such rumors?
There are rumors for many years about Islamic terrorist groups in Mexico particularly in Oaxaca. There had also been concern about Islamists coming via Latin America to Mexico via Trinidad and Venezuela and especially from the Tri-Border region.
2) If it turns out to be true (not confirmed), how could such cooperation have even started? And why?
The cooperation is based on the nexus of trans-regional crime and terror groups because they find commonality in their operations and need for finances.
3) Hypothetically speaking: How could Islamic Terrorist groups benefit from such an alliance (weapons, bombs)?
The cooperation involves the movement of money and perhaps weapons and small bombs.
4) There have been reports that Mexican Cartels have accessed mini submarines to smuggle narcotics to the Californian coast line by the U.S. Coastal guards. If this is correct, could they hypothetically use these submarines to transport terrorist(s) or weapons for operations inside the U.S.?
The subs do exist and hypothetically could be used by terrorists or weapons for operation in the United States. This type of activity has been a concern for many years.
5) Logistics: Would it be more effective for Islamic terrorist cells to enter via border with Mexico-U.S. than directly flying to the U.S.?
Yes it would be easier for Islamic terrorist cells to enter via the Mexico-U.S. border. But the real concern is not so much al-Qaeda types but Hezbollah operatives who have been operating in Mexico for a number of years and link up with Mexican drug cartels to produce meth in the United States.
6) Have any Islamic Groups ever worked outside of its religious consent, and participated in operations alongside other paramilitary groups with a different agenda?
Not that I am aware of….
7) Target: Would a city like Las Vegas, which is known for Mexican Cartel drug operations be a target for any Islamic Terrorist, helped by them?
It is possible and not outside the realm of the imagination. Analysts are working on these types of scenarios and look for warnings and indicators all the time.
