A murderous Mexican drug cartel has bowed to threats — not from any military action, but from a group of computer nerds.
Cartel Los Zetas was forced to release a kidnapped member of Anonymous after the activist hacking group threatened to expose the gang's corrupt supporters.
Anonymous Veracruz launched "Operation Cartel", releasing a YouTube video promising to publish the names of "taxi drivers, journalists and police officers" it said were "loyal servants" to Los Zetas, one of the most violent cartels in South America, Reuters reports.
The cartel is responsible for the kidnap, torture and murder of numerous law enforcement officials, informants and competing gang members, with victims often left in public places as a grisly way to intimidate others.
Mexico's escalating drug war has seen more than 44,000 people killed since 2006 when President Felipe Calderon initiated military action in an attempt to wipe out the cartels.
After the release of the Anonymous threats, the kidnapped member was released with a note that promised to kill 10 people for every name exposed by the group.
"On this day, our anonymous friend retained by the Zetas cartel has been released," a statement on its website said. "We can say that while bruised, he is alive and well. He has sent us a message that if Anonymous reveals a name related to the cartel, the family of the kidnapped anonymous will suffer, and for each cartel member revealed, 10 people will be put to death."
Despite the apparent cease-fire between Anonymous and Los Zetas, one hacker has vowed to continue the fight against the cartels.
Barrett Brown, who has reportedly acted as the public face for Anonymous in the past, posted comments on Pastebin that said while the Zetas action was cancelled, he "will be going after other cartels with the assistance of those who have come forward with new information and offers of assistance".
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