Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Violence and governance in Mexico

How do lawlessness and disorder fit into the governmental and political systems in Mexico? It's a question that may have to be answered soon. The urgency of finding a solution is heightened because the unrest is taking place primarily in President Calderon's area of greatest popularity.

Reuters reported, Police shootout with Mexican drug gang kills 22

"Mexico sent federal police reinforcements to a northern border state on Thursday after the bloodiest gunfight in a 5-month-old offensive against drug gangs killed 22 people, including five policemen.

"Members of the infamous Gulf Cartel fought a running battle on Wednesday with Sonora state police and troops supported by helicopters, ending at a mountainous ranch where officers killed 15 drug hitmen...

"Public Security Minister Genaro Garcia said more police had been sent to Sonora, a state of desert and mountains just south of Arizona, to patrol roads and towns...

"President Felipe Calderon has been unable to contain rampant violence despite sending thousands of troops to fight drug gangs in mostly northern and western Mexican states after taking office in December..."




On Monday, Prensa Latina reported, "Nuevo Leon a War Zone"

"The execution of a traffic policeman in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon on Monday was another in the several days of escalating violence in the area, considered in a state of war.

"Police reported the death of Officer Enrique Buentello... bringing to 67 the deaths attributed to organized crime in Nuevo Leon this year...

"Monterrey, adjacent to Santa Catarina, is a combat zone, said local press, referring to hired killers who murdered six members of the security corps in the last four days...


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