Mexico: descent into chaosDrug war fought with American weapons for the American market
Mexico’s drug war is fought with American weapons for the American market; of the 75,000 guns seized, 80 percent came from the United States; they are used to fight over an estimated $40 billion drug business — virtually all for the United States; last Year, at least 2,600 were killed in Mexico’s drug war, and the country is on track to top 3,000 this year
Captured gang armory // Source: diggersrealm.com
Drug violence is out of control in Mexico. Last Thursday, President Felipe Calderon suggested prosecutors and judges are not doing enough to bring criminals to justice. Calderon himself has come under criticism. Since he declared war on the cartels in 2006, 28,000 people have died. This year alone, more than 7,000 have died.
CBS News Barry Peterson reports that the violence has taken a new turn. A cameraman in Juarez barely escaped a grenade attack. Back in his newsroom, Juarez news director Edgar Roman has a new job description. He wants to “preserve the lives of the people out there reporting, covering stories. We don’t want to be heroes.”
Those involved in news coverage in Juarez have a saying that is also a warning: a journalist can stay alive sometimes — based on what they do not report. “You have to censor yourself in a way that you’re not going to get in trouble,” Roman said.
Almost a dozen journalists have been killed this year. Recently, four journalists were kidnapped, until their TV outlet broadcast a message dictated by one of the cartels. Many are concerned that stories are now being hushed up by terrified reporters.
Petersen notes that before the drug war started in 2006, Americans were advised to avoid border areas. Now, Americans are being warned away from all of Mexico, especially the northern third of the country.
Some now fear that Mexico is spinning out of control — but does the violence mean the drug cartels are running scared? Petersen quotes Andrew Selee, Director of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute, to say that “As terrible as it is, it could be a step forward…. We’re seeing the cartels for the first time, fearing the government, fearing the rule of law in Mexico.”
This drug war is fought with American weapons for the American market. Of the 75,000 guns seized, 80 percent came from the United States. They are used to fight over an estimated $40 billion drug business — virtually all for the United States. Petersen notes that $40 billion is nearly as much revenue that Pepsi collected last year.
Juarez has become the murder capital of the world, with 2,600 dead last year. The death toll could be higher this year. It is on track to hit 3,000.
