Aug/25 Garcia Abrego unlikely hero to some

By FERNANDO DEL VALLE

Valley Morning Star

LA PALOMA -- Juan Garcia Abrego may be one of the FBI's most wanted criminals,

but he's a hometown hero to some in this colonia that rises from the fields of

sugar cane along the Rio Grande.

As the reputed head of the Gulf cartel negotiated a possible surrender with

Mexican authorities this week, a group of young men seemed in awe of the man

who rose from poverty to amass wealth and influence beyond a homeboy's dreams.

"He should stay in Mexico, it's better for him," said a young man who

refused to give his name. "He'll be well taken care of there."

As part of his surrender terms, Garcia Abrego has demanded that he not be

extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. He also

demands that he be jailed in the Mexican prison of his choice and wants his

wife and numerous girlfriends to be allowed to inherit his multi-million

dollar fortune.

If Garcia Abrego is seen as a hero in the colonia where he grew up, that view

should not be considered aberrant, said Al Nelson, a professor of sociology at

The University of Texas-Pan American.

"They think, `He got out, he succeeded. That's all that matters,' " Nelson

said. "If you're born at the bottom and somebody makes it and makes it big,

then that guy's hope for you."

But others in La Paloma see Garcia Abrego as a disgrace who belongs in prison.

In the community of small, brightly colored homes where some of the Garcia

Abrego family still live, Manuela Leal prayed for the nephew who grew up

across the street to become the man believed to be one of the world's most

powerful drug lords.

"I don't want to know anything about him," the elderly woman said in Spanish

as she shook her head. "I don't even speak to the family. May God bless

him."

Some here remember Garcia Abrego as a nice, quiet boy who was paid little

notice when he left the community as a young man.

Others said they were afraid to say anything about the man wanted on multiple

murder charges in Mexico.

A former classmate, Cris Esquivel, said there was nothing that stood out about

the boy she knew in school.

"He was just a quiet kid," she said as she walked with her children along

the narrow gravel streets.

A general store clerk who refused to give his name said he remembered Garcia

Abrego as a 14-year-old boy who often played with the neighborhood children.

"He was just like the other kids, a nice kid," he said.

The clerk also said he didn't believe the boy he remembered could have become

the man accused of being a murderous drug baron.

"Who's to say exactly what he's done," he said. "The only thing you know is

what you read in the newspapers."

A young man who identified himself as Kika Garcia compared Garcia Abrego to

the ruthless drug lord in the 1983 movie, "Scarface." The film depicts a

young man who uses his wits and nerve to rise from poverty to rule a cocaine

empire.

Even if imprisoned, Garcia Abrego would not lose control of his empire, said

Jesse Jimenez, a young man who gathered with Garcia.

"Even if he's locked up, there's going to be people working for him on the

outside," Jimenez said.

Garcia agreed. "That guy, you're never going to stop him."

Garcia Abrego commands that type of respect because he succeeded despite

society's obstacles, Nelson said.

"We teach everyone to want the same goals of money, respect and power, and we

teach them how to get it," Nelson said. "One of the main approved paths is

through education.

"But what happens if a group of people comes to believe the approved path is

closed to them? That makes sense that they would think of him as a hero."

But some residents said they wanted to see Garcia Abrego locked up far away

from their community.

"The sooner he turns himself in, the better, no matter what jail he goes

into, as long as he's isolated," said Eddie Abrego, who said he was no

relation to the Garcia Abrego family.