Narco Blog: “La Barbie” Mexican Cartel Lieutenant and US Citizen on Hunger Strike in Prison

Edgar Valdez Villarreal, aka “La Barbie” is on hunger strike. One of the most important lieutenants in the organization of the Beltran Leyva Mexican Drug Cartel complains that the Federal Prison Altiplano, located in the state of Mexico, “is a treating inmate like an animal.”

According to the site, MySanAntonio in a note to the reporter Jason Buch, “Barbie,” who is a US citizen, has stopped eating since last September 26, in protest at the way he is being treated.

The family of Edgar Valdez said in an email that “Barbie” has claimed extremely poor conditions that criminals are subjected to within the Altiplano, where he is confined to a small cell and has no opportunity to exercise.

Besides the poor conditions, the two brothers are also accusing the prison authorities of starting a rumor labeling La Barbie as an informer. “This action has endangered his life behind bars. “Said Abel Valdez, his brother.

” And they are using tactics to claim my brother is a witness against other cartel members, which is not true “He said.

Abel Valdez said the complaint does not seek sympathy for his brother, but it does demand respect for their human rights. According to reporter Jason Buch, “Barbie” wants to be treated as “a human and not an animal.”

According to the relatives of “Barbie”, since his incarceration they have not been able to see him. They accuse the authorities of placing a number of obstacles in place so that they cannot visit.
“Sometimes lawyers are denied access to him, or when they do speak with him, they can not take notes,” complained Abel Valdez.

Read in Spanish here