Despite oppressive new laws and thousands of deaths, Mexico is no closer to winning its war on drugs

[marmar]

from the Guardian UK:



Caught in the crossfire of an unwinnable war
Despite oppressive new laws and thousands of deaths, Mexico's government is no closer to winning its bloody war on drugs

Siân Herbert
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 18 April 2010


It's been a confusing and frustrating week for Mexicans. A controversial new telecommunications law came into effect a week ago, obliging all mobile phone users to give a wealth of personal data – including fingerprints – to phone companies and the government in an effort to crack down on organised crime. Mexicans have been bombarded by text messages, TV adverts and billboards warning them that their mobile lines will be cut off if they don't comply.

The government's deadline passed almost a week ago, but millions of mobile owners have still failed to register and few users, as yet, seem to have been disconnected. Such public defiance may be symptomatic of a larger division between the Mexican government and its people.

The telecommunications law is part of President Felipe Calderón's hard-line "war on drugs". Since coming into office in 2006, Calderón has placed national security at the centre of his political agenda – a commitment that was initially popular in Mexico. In 2008 the US also showed its support with the $1.3bn Mérida Initiative: putting military equipment and training at the disposal of the Mexican government.

But five years and 50,000 troops later, levels of drugs production and trafficking remain high. Year on year drugs-related murders have increased dramatically. From 2008 to 2009, casualties rose from 5000 to 6600, and more than 2000 have already died by March this year alone. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/apr/16/mexico-war-on-drugs-calderon

[Cirque du So-What]

1. Has a 'war on drugs' EVER been successful?

The most any government has been able to do is drive the trade deeper underground. As any regime becomes more repressive in their efforts to eradicate the drug trade, the tougher the mothers are who emerge to fill the vacuum.

[demosincebirth]

2. Neither are we