Coverage of the escalating crime wave in Mexico has itself been on the rise in the recent months, from headlines of surging violent crime rates to reportages of lawlessness and anarchy across the country, from the bordertowns of Nuevo Laredo and Tijuana and to Gotham-like DF and the narco-state of Guerrero.I, like many of you, have been reading about the crisis in Mexico, but it was this recent NYT article by Marc Lacey that brought home for me how dangerous and urgent the issue has now become.
Over the weekend, the issue hit a new climax as 200,000 demonstrators took to the Zocalo in Mexico City and beyond in a national march called "Illuminemos Mexico."
Since the Calderon government has begun to crack down on crime and the drug trade, reports of both massive arrests and seizures as well as criminal responses through increased kidnappings and assasinations have risen dramatically.
According to an editorial today by The Times of London: "...in all, 2,700 people have been killed this year in drug-related violence, a rise of 50 per cent in a year. Barely 5 per cent of crimes are solved," and it added that "the corrosive effects cannot be overstated."
A clearly frustrated President Caldreon, who already deployed some 30,000 soldiers to the key areas nationwide, has called on citizens' groups to form committees that will denounce the violence.
It will take a lot more than neighborhood watch groups to curtail the violence; reported kidnappings for 2008 have nearly surpassed those reported in 2007, and the nearly 3000 murders as of mid-August are already more than those reported last year.
Sources: Reuters, BBC, NYTimes, AFP, El Universal, Times of London
3 comments:
I'm moving to mexico next month and I'd be lying if I said I'm not nervous. I didn't realize the numbers this year had already surpassed those of last year.
My husband has been down there for 5 months already and seems to think that as long as we keep our heads down and leave people alone, just do our thing - that we'll be fine.
I hope he's right but after reading the article it seems naive.
Anyways, I stumbled here looking for Latin/latina bloggers to read and found you. So hi, and thank you for the post.
about time and
'd-hor' all depends where in Mexico,you live
been all over since 1977, but it has changed since last time I drove thru ion 98
no more driving at night for me
but a smile and be cool is always best idea,
Latinos are friendly
and in Mexico, great idea, like Colombia personal possession is legal,. the police have better stuff to do,
hell with the system, corrupt lawyers and judges most also doing drugs and it is not an affront to question a person's personal choice
look at all the dope dealing doctors in USA
worse those pills any day than weed, and a little bump in the afternoon if the 'tinto' is too acid!!!!
and all the world knows 60% of coke and heroin biz in Colombia is bilarybush-cheny dyncorp,halliburton Carlyle group, except the ignorant fat folks in USA they are the last to know what is up
have fun in Mexico, be smart
best is Acapulco when I am 80, Puerto Marquez
jaaaaaaaaaaaa
d-hor -
Thanks for the compliment and I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
I think hodad is right in that it all depends on where you live in Mexico. While violence has increased nationwide some areas will be safer than others. I agree with your hubby's advice though I would also add that you should keep a sharp eye on your surroundings just to ensure a safer experience.
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