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Demonio

Mar 13, 2010, 4:35 PM

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13 killed in Acapulco area; drug war suspected

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Five police officers are slain and the bullet-riddled bodies of eight men are found just as foreign tourists are arriving for spring break.See the new story from today's Los Angeles Times.

"What we've got here is a failure to communicate."

(This post was edited by Demonio on Mar 13, 2010, 4:36 PM)

sfsmurf

Mar 13, 2010, 7:32 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1980 views)

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Re: [Demonio] 13 killed in Acapulco area; drug war suspected

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My first instinct is to say, "but it's on the outskirts....foreigners aren't being targeted....keep your nose clean and you're safe....etc. etc. etc.".

My second reaction is, "Mi querido Mexico that I love is sinking into the abyss". When will this madness stop? (when drugs are legalized on both sides of the border in my humble opinion, but I'm not holding my breath).

And I wonder if the day will come when I won't feel safe in Mexico any longer.

cookj5

Mar 13, 2010, 7:52 PM

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Re: [sfsmurf] 13 killed in Acapulco area; drug war suspected

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I share each of the feelings you express above. Legalizing drugs is the most sensible thing to do, so of course it is the least likely to happen. And if we suddenly took the profit out of the drug trade, what would all those heavily armed and violence-inured young men do for a living? Hmmm.

joaquinx

Mar 14, 2010, 10:03 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1879 views)

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Re: [cookj5] 13 killed in Acapulco area; drug war suspected

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Quote

Legalizing drugs is the most sensible thing to do

There was a time in the US when lotteries were illegal. Organized crime ran them and paid the winners promptly as it was a good business practice. The states didn't like this because they couldn't tax the lottery. Now it's a different matter as the states have realized that they could have their own lotteries and not only tax the winnings, but could retain the winnings and dispense them over a 30 year period or discount the winnings if the winner wanted it right now.

When the states or the feds find a way to tax it, it will be legalized.

richmx2

Mar 14, 2010, 10:42 AM

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Re: [cookj5] 13 killed in Acapulco area; drug war suspected

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I was at a lecture/political speech/book signing by Jorge Castañeda last night... not a politico I particularly admire... but he makes the point that drug USE is not Mexico's problem. State attempts to quash the narcotics export trade are counter-productive, and, so Casteñeda seems to argue, responsible for much of the mayhem.

He kept referring not to the "drug war" but to "Felipe Calderón's war" -- suggesting the state response is optional. If the state stopped trying to stop the sales and marketing abroad, it could concentrate on the real damage -- extortions, gun running and the like.

Legalization by the user countries may be a partial answer to the problem here, but when did the United States ever in its entire history make a domestic policy decision for the benefit of another country? Mexico, however, has... and is, to it's detriment.

Legalizing use would have minimal effect here (and minor possession is already decriminalized). I can't see Mexico legalizing the trade (though I'd see that as an ideal solution -- better yet, treating marijuana and opium poppies as a commodity like oil: PotMex anyone?) -- mostly because of the expected economic and possibly military retaliation you'd reasonably expect from the United States. The government here could keep up the pretense of fighting the narcotics export trade, but would be well advised to put the real effort into reducing the collateral damage caused by extortions, kidnappings and gun running.

http://voiceofmexico.com

Brian

Mar 14, 2010, 11:03 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1851 views)

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Re: [richmx2] 13 killed in Acapulco area; drug war suspected

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esperanza wrote elsewhere that some gringos don't really empathize with Mexicans and their families affected by the current wave of violence until it affects them personally. This will probably get their attention:

http://news.yahoo.com/...VU_.4H_4xycsLWr9SpZ4

There are more details here. The murders were actually coordinated at two different locations one of which was at the international crossing to El Paso i .e. it wasn't random violence. The article concludes that US citizens must be aware of the danger in Mexico and know to avoid risky situations. Excuse me....are the international crossings now off limits? Everywhere is risky...they should just say it. The Mexican people have known that for a long time. Foreigners can no longer say that the violence does not touch them with a straight face anymore although the diehards will keep trying I am sure. The current situation is tragic...that it is now being given international exposure is a blessing. At some point either the government will crush the cartels, one cartel will emerge victorious over the others or international peacekeepers will have to come in. The people of Juarez have been asking for the latter but Calderon is determined to do it himself. Meanwhile, the people continue to suffer...

http://www.diario.com.mx/nota.php?notaid=2d87dd490d4602ead575a62c2f699c16

(This post was edited by Brian on Mar 14, 2010, 12:26 PM)