MEXICO CITY, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The death of wanted drug kingpin Arturo Beltran Leyva may prompt a war between drug traffickers along the border of Sonora, Mexico, and Arizona, experts say.
Drug cartel expert Gerardo Lopez Cervantes of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa said while the death of Leyva this week in Cuernavaca, Mexico, is a significant "strike" for authorities, the incident could have violent repercussions, The Arizona Republic reported Friday.
"This is a spectacular strike for the government, no doubt about it," Cervantes said. "But when they kill one chief, two or three new ones always spring up."
Leyva was killed Wednesday when authorities raided a Cuernavaca housing complex and were fired upon. In addition to the reputed drug lord, a Mexican soldier was killed along with six of Leyva's bodyguards.
The Republic said the law enforcement action was applauded by Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, who said it showed Mexico's efforts against drug operations "are succeeding and destabilizing the cartels at even the highest levels of power."
