Killings Rise in Mexico's Drug War

Killings Rise in Mexico's Drug War
December 16, 2008

News Summary

The number of killings related to Mexico's drug war doubled from 2007 to 2008 as cartels and traffickers battled for control of the illicit trade, the New York Times reported Dec. 8.

A number of high-profile arrests and drug seizures have induced a power struggle among the cartels, said Eduardo Medina-Mora, Mexico's attorney general. Drug-related killings thus far in 2008 totaled 5,376, a 117 percent rise over the same period in 2007. Most of the killings took place in the border states of Chihuahua and Baja California.

"These criminal organizations don't have limits," said Medina-Mora. "They have an enormous power of intimidation."

The number of casualties in Mexico's drug war is modest when compared with South American countries like Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador and Brazil. However, recent killings in two southern Mexico states reveal that the battle is continuing unabated.

Mexican officials contend that the U.S. is the main source of guns used by the drug cartels, but admit that the flow of drug money has corrupted Mexico's institutions. However, Medina-Mora suggests that the recent arrest of officials accused of taking cash for tipping off cartels about security activities was evidence that Mexico is taking the fight against the criminals seriously.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Rosemary Anders on 17 Dec 08 11:07 AM EST

The U.S. government gave $400 million to Mexico this week, (part of $1.4 billion approved by Congress in June), and $65 million to Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. I work in a drug/alcohol treatment facility in Ohio that is laying off staff because our funding has been cut, so I sure hope all that money does them some good because we're not getting any help!

Posted by jedwards on 17 Dec 08 12:32 PM EST

The US Gov't continues to err in thinking that the drug problem in this country, which has reached epidemic proportions, can be ameliorated by curbing the amount of drugs that enter the country illegally. Look at all the money spent attempting to eradicate the coca crop in South America. Not surprising, there was a bumper crop just this past year. Land owners are going to grow the most profitable crop and it aint coffee. The only thing that has a chance of making a dent in the horrible drug problem in our country is treatment. Reduce the demand, not the supply. Treatment does work, but our agency in New Jersey is on the verge of closing due to lack of funding. Come on Washington, wake up! This is not a new line of thinking!

Posted by Miguel S. Lopez on 17 Dec 08 12:37 PM EST

As a native of the South Texas Border all of my life I have practiced in the field of addiction (30+ years)for many years. I must frankly state it is a waste of valuable resources better spent in the U.S. It is with much certainty I believe the money is not properly accounted for and most likely lost to corrupt officials paid off by the cartel. In fact, I can easily see the money falling into the hands of the cartel one way or another. I beleive the big questions to ask are: 1)is appropriate accountabilty expected ? 2)is there concrete documentation of expenditures for which they were designated ? 3)is there concrete evidence of any results? 4)has legitimate documentation been provided related to these expenditures? 5)does the U.S. possess and maintain such documentation in a manner that can be justified to taxpayers. Service providers have had to be more accountable than ever for any public funds recieved. I beleive those monies are working to counter our efforts to prevent, intervene, and treat substance abuse/addiction. I would be elated if such hard honest evidence was provided to the contrary.

Posted by jedwards on 17 Dec 08 12:38 PM EST

What the US fails to understand is that they will never stop the availability of drugs. They will always find their way into the country as long as there is a demand for them. Treatment is the best hope we have for reducing our drug epidemic. Treament works, prevention such as burning crops, going after importers etc. can only make a very small dent.

Posted by TMountain on 17 Dec 08 03:02 PM EST

Working in the Public Defenders office the only effective intervention I see with our clients is treatment. It may take several tries but its what works. The biproduct being reduced reduced use makes for reduced demand.

Posted by joebanana on 23 Apr 09 11:09 PM EDT

With the brilliant plan of sending US troops to the border, what the hell do we expect? Stupid is, as stupid does. Seems like the "war on drugs" is causing way more harm, and death, than it prevents. The government keeps on violating more of our rights, to the point of Nazism, asset forfeiture, no knock raids, immunity, mandatory minimum's warrants obtained under fraud, this is no longer America. This place sucks now.

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