Anonymous

[esperandote]

I remember some furious back peddling when big mean mexicans were going to come after them

No, I'd heard they actually got their guy released.

Edit: Here it is! [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/114092-Zetas-Cartel-Frees-Kidnap-Victim-Following-Anonymous-Threats]

From that article

Anonymous rep Barrett Brown claimed that the hostage was released late last week, although he also acknowledged that the Anonymous campaign may not have had much to do with it. "It appears that the Zetas concerned did not know that the individual was the Anon whose release had been demanded by those who instigated OpCartel," he said. And the release of the hostage came with a very stern warning for Anonymous and anyone else who gets the urge to mess with the cartel's affairs.

"If Anonymous unveils any name related to the cartel, the family of the kidnapped Anonymous member will suffer the consequences," the group said. "For each cartel name revealed, ten people will be put to death."

They released him randomly. We haven't hear about any names released so it was anonymous that backed down.