In recent months Mexico has been front page news internationally due to the increasing Drug Cartels-related violence in the Mexican border cities, which has brought attention to the circumstances surrounding these events. This essay will briefly examine the background on the Mexican “War on Drugs” and expose the corruption within Mexican government. Most believe the violence surged in 2006, after Mexican President Felipe Calderon declared a “War on Drugs;” considerably an accurate inference unless one analyzes the Mexican federal government’s actions.
A much more preeminent war began during Calderon’s presidential term that was not initiated by law enforcement but rather by drug cartels and drug gangs in Mexico. By 2007 the Sinaloa Cartel, notably the largest, most powerful organization in Latin America, had recruited experienced drug-traffickers, accumulated large quantities of arms and weapons and gained power over important drug-trafficking routes. In an effort to expand their enterprise, the Sinaloa Cartel began meeting with smaller drug gangs throughout Mexico, including the Tijuana and Gulf Cartel’s leaders as well as the Zeta’s (a drug and kidnapping gang formed by former Mexican, Federal Intelligence officials). It was during these negotiations that President Calderon declared the so called “War on Drugs.”
Calderon has aggressively gone after the Sinaloa Cartel and others but has managed to leave specific ones untouched. Calderon’s appointed drug czars have been the center of controversy and scandal during his presidency having been caught accepting money from drug cartels in exchange of intelligence. As the Mexican government intensified arrests on important Sinaloa Cartel leaders, confiscating mansions and millions of US dollars and intercepting large amounts of drugs before crossing the US, violence has increased. Negotiations between the cartels and the Zetas had not gone through; instead of merging they started a war amongst themselves for the control of routes, gangs and more. Local police departments within Mexico are notoriously corrupt and are known to be the equivalent of personal bodyguards or security for these cartels and gangs. As the “War on Drugs” intensified more soldiers and marines were deployed throughout Mexico specifically in the border cities. Soldiers immediately took power of the local courthouses and police departments causing incredible tension between local law enforcement (municipal leaders, judges and policemen) and the soldiers.
For example, in the spring and summer of 2008 there were several incidents between Matamoros’ law enforcement and soldiers resulting in gunfire and deaths (not reported by the media). First the Military took control of the local Police Department. This control included monitoring phone calls, faxes, emails and being a part of all meetings being held. When these measures weren’t enough the Military decided to confiscate all weapons and arms issued to local law enforcement officers. This caused an immediate panic, which lead to public officials’ refusal to turn their weapons in forcing the Military to raid their homes. During these raids weapons and arms, not issued by the Mexican government, were discovered resulting in numerous arrests. “Safe” houses (used as warehouses to keep money, drugs and weapons as well as hide people that have been kidnapped until they’ve received a ransom) were discovered and cellular and radio phones found in the houses gave names, phone numbers and addresses of many members of these cartels and gangs.
This war is complicated, multi-faceted and can easily confuse anyone. It is in the interest of communicating and informing that I write this blog. It is important for everyone to know exactly what is going on in order to properly understand things and if something can be done then hopefully get it done. Before we start judging and labeling "bad guys" we should look at the facts first. This is not a war that is protecting the interests of its citizens. It is a war to eliminate competition and acquire an immense amount of money before it's too late. People need to talk about this. People need to be made accountable. Why isn't this front page news? Why aren't our leaders being questioned for their motives? We need to stand up and say something before it's too late. Or is it too late already?
