The train of drug violence chugs on:
"The message was clear when two explosions ripped through crowds of Mexican Independence Day revelers: Anyone, anywhere, is fair game when it comes to Mexico's intensifying violence.What wasn't clear was exactly who threw the two fragmentation grenades at a holiday celebration in the picturesque town of Morelia, killing seven people and injuring more than 100 others.
Michoacan Gov. Leonel Godoy immediately pointed a finger at the state's warring drug cartels. "Without a doubt, we believe this was done by organized crime," he said, but offered little to back up his claim.
Following an emergency meeting with Godoy, President Felipe Calderon pledged an immediate military response, the federal government's answer to drug violence."
Only I very much doubt a Surge is going to have much of a lasting effect in this case, unless Mexico can sustain martial law indefinitely in certain regions. Unlike Iraq the fuel that fires this violence isn't sectarian, philosophical, ideological or truly political. It's about utilizing the corruption and weakness of the Mexican government and the enabling American legal system to make huge amounts of money. Good luck stopping that with curfews and armed men in the street, President Calderon.
9 comments:
Good insight.
In your opinion, and being an outsider, who benefits from our (our = mexican citizen)fear and anger?
Regards
Until Mexican government can get the people themselves that protect the Drug Empires to rebel against this violence I suspect there against will not work.
It doesn't help the America undermines anything the Proto-Mexican government does.
Besides drug reforms here in the states is there anything else we could do?
I visited the beautiful city of Morelia, in July of this year. It is truly a beautiful city. (A University town.) I saw a heavy police presence in many places in Mexico, even being stopped by a police road block between cities in Michoacan. I suppose it might be because of the drug cartels, but as an ordinary American tourist, I never really felt in danger at any time. (It's not like Iraq.)
How does the Drug cartel benefit from this random killing of ordinary people? How do they know this bombing was even drug related?
We have random killings here in the states all the time.
A surge along with martial law, and some real political courage might actually do it. It is going to take some time, probably years. But there is no telling who is on the take in the Mexican government. Corruption is everywhere.
Hi b and thanks for the comment. That's a tough question and a bit vague.
Anger and fear in Mexico could benefit the cartels fueling it, the corrupt government, the US economy, etc. Could you condense or clarify the question a bit?
Hey glenn,
The US presented the Meridan Plan (a near $1/2 billion aid package to combat the drug trade/terrorism... as though the two were the same) with rather definite human rights requirements, including the certification that law enforcement agencies benefiting from the windfall were not corrupt. After Calderon refused the proposal based on it's requirements the pre-requisites were loosened in Calderon's favor and the plan went ahead.
This tells me that the issue is near backburner enough to simply acquiesce at the slightest resistance and shovel cash forth. Politically speaking the admin can claim they "tried hard, implemented a $1/2 billion plan to combat blah, blah blah."
Realistically speaking they shat money and maybe a small contingency of "oversight" at an issue and moved on.
So what, beside drug reform here, can be done?
The issue should be a national political talking point and on the agenda of both presidential candidates.
The national conversation regarding Mexico shouldn't be the tedious "beaners stealing our jobs" but should very much be "that country on our southern border is teetering and the corruption and black marketeering hollowing it out is infecting our cities as well."
That'd be a start.
Hi steve in slc, thanks much for the comment.
A random killing via grenade here in the US would make headlines. I suppose the killing could be attributed to some deranged individual but there's little question that a massive increase in violence has come to Mexico via drug cartels.
Hey Jeff,
Lot's of poltical courage has been poured into America's own war on drugs, and lots of cash and man power and education. To what end?
The war seems nigh impossible for the Mexican government to win given the resources (money, guns and thugs) of the cartels and the unyielding demand for drugs in the US. Jay, I am glad that you see the futility of the U.S. sponsored War on drugs. I believe that it is partially a ruse to line the pockets of American allies and increase America's military presence in the region through advisers and permanent military bases.
On Mexico, 1/3 of their army is stationed in the country's smallest state Chiapas, conducting low-intensity warfare (read terrorism) against peasant communities and to prevent another Zapatista uprising. Maybe the Mexican government could stop violating the peasants human rights and go after these violent cartels. Just a thought...
Post a Comment