April 2012

Associated Press - Mexican authorities say gunmen burst into the home of Macario Parada, police chief of the small town of Ocampo, and killed him while he was recovering at home from a shootout.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/gunmen-kill-police-chief-recovering-in-his-northern-mexico-home-from-earlier-bullet-wounds/2012/03/31/gIQAfNVZmS_story.html

By Jacqueline Simmons and Clementine Fletcher
Bloomberg News

Diageo, the world’s largest liquor maker, appointed Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and HSBC Holdings for advice on gaining control of Jose Cuervo from family owners, people familiar with the plans said.

Cuervo, owned by Mexico’s Beckmann family, is expected to be valued at more than $3 billion and family sellers might gain cash or shares in Diageo as part of the deal, said the people, who declined to be identified because the talks are private.

Diageo, the maker of Johnnie Walker Scotch and Smirnoff vodka, has an option to buy the company because of its international distribution rights to the Cuervo brand, a person with knowledge of the discussions said. Diageo’s agreement to distribute Cuervo in countries outside Mexico expires in 2013.

Discussions between Diageo and Beckmann family members might not lead to a deal because it’s unclear whether all of the family members are committed to a process, the people said.

A spokesman for Diageo declined to comment, as did spokesmen for Goldman and HSBC.

By Jacqueline Simmons and Clementine Fletcher Bloomberg News Diageo, the world’s largest liquor maker, appointed Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and HSBC Holdings for advice on gaining control of Jose Cuervo from family owners, people familiar with the plans said. Cuervo, owned by Mexico’s Beckmann family, is expected to be valued at more than $3 billion and family sellers might gain cash or shares in Diageo as part of the deal, said the people, who declined to be identified because the talks are private. Diageo, the maker of Johnnie Walker Scotch and Smirnoff vodka, has an option to buy the company because of its international distribution rights to the Cuervo brand, a person with knowledge of the discussions said. Diageo’s agreement to distribute Cuervo in countries outside Mexico expires in 2013. Discussions between Diageo and Beckmann family members might not lead to a deal because it’s unclear whether all of the family members are committed to a process, the people said. A spokesman for Diageo declined to comment, as did spokesmen for Goldman and HSBC.