U.S. Sponsors Mexican Drug Cartels

By Erica Laster                                                                                                                   Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

Masked police officers outside of a Ciudad Juarez, Mexico drug rehabilitation center after gunmen killed 17 last September. Photo courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – The above accusation came just two days ago from Mexican President Calderon in a video address to his nation while attending the World Cup. The Washington Post reports that President Calderon indicated Mexico’s deadly drug war stemmed directly from the fact that their neighboring country is “the biggest drug addict in the world,” feeding cartels with billions of dollars which have made them rich and bold.  He asked Mexicans to continue to support his effort to rid the country of drugs despite armed resistance from local cartels. Over 23,000 have died since President Calderon declared a war on drugs in 2006.

In the past 5 days, hundreds have fallen victim to the drug war which has resulted in targeted killings of police, drug addicts and young children. This past Tuesday, Mexican police raided a home after acting on a tip in Taxco, a popular tourist town. The Mexican army’s firefight with the suspected drug cartel resulted in the deaths of 14 gunmen. Earlier this week, armed gunmen set a bus on fire to act as a blockade on a major highway, ambushing 12 federal police officers and wounding 8. Thursday, a local drug rehabilitation center in Chihuahua was hit by two dozen armed gunmen. After being thrown to the floor, 19 of its patrons were killed execution style. One teenager was able to call his mother on his cell phone, being heard crying out, “Mommy, they’vecome to kill us!” The victims ages ranged from 16-63. In Mexico, patients at local rehabilitation centers are often low level workers in the drug trade. President Calderon issued another statement Thursday from Johannesburg condemning the gunmen’s “barbaric acts,” the Washington Post reports.

In an effort to terrorize, drug cartels have also been responsible for many kidnappings throughout Mexico. Since 2006, kidnappings have exploded with approximately 2,450 taking place within three years of President Calderon taking office. High ranking officials, wealthy businessmen and ransom experts are among the many casualties. Just eight days after the kidnapping of former presidential candidate Diego Fernandez de Cevallos in May, authorities suspended their investigation pending an alleged willingness to pay ransom by his family. A public outcry ensued, as many believe the government is backtracking on its promise to end the popular tactic by prohibiting ransom payments to criminals.

Just across the border from El Paso in Ciudad Juarez, about eight people are killed each day from drug related violence and almost 1,200 deaths havebeen reported in the city this year alone. Mexican newspapers keep running tallies of the drug related violence’s victims reporting that 85 deaths occurred in a 24 hour period last week, a record high. Experts estimate that anywhere from $10-$25 billion dollars flow from the United States to Mexico as a result of the drug trade.

For More Information Please See:

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/…/AR2010061503174.html

 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704463504575300920373347404.html?KEYWORDS=mexico

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703280004575308730570231438.html?KEYWORDS=mexico

Author: Impunity Watch Archive