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'LONG TENTACLES: MEXICAN DRUG TRAFFICKERS'

[Excelsior, Mexico]

 

 

Excelsior, Mexico

As Blood Flows, U.S. Gets Serious About the Battle for Mexico

 

"The U.S. government must understand that while NRA lobbyists may have tremendous influence in the corridors of Washington, the potential for drug-traffickers armed to-the-teeth with weapons obtained from U.S. gun merchants to transform the west into a land of kidnappings and drugs must carry far more weight. … The arrival in Mexico of Clinton and Obama will be much more than a gesture: it will represent an enormous step forward in the tone and interest of the U.S. toward Mexico."

 

By León Krauze

                             

 

Translated By Paula van de Werken

 

March 23, 2009

 

Mexico - Excelsior - Original Article (Spanish)

I said in this space a couple of weeks ago that the attitude of the United States government in regard to the violence in its border with Mexico would change when the blood began to flow - not only in the streets of Ciudad Juarez, but in Phoenix. And so it has. The alarming data on the increase in kidnappings in Arizona and the obvious invasion of the southwestern U.S. states by Mexican narco-traffickers have given U.S. legislators something to think about.

 

Tuesday's hearing at the U.S. Senate in Washington [video below] should be a milestone in the history of the anti-narcotics struggle for both countries. The vehemence with which General Victor Renuart, commander of the United States Northern Command, and Anthony Placido, the DEA chief of intelligence, spoke was a good sign. Now they must translate words into deeds. The U.S. government must understand that while NRA lobbyists may have tremendous influence in the corridors of Washington, the potential for drug-traffickers armed to-the-teeth with weapons obtained from American gun merchants to transform the west into a land of kidnappings and drugs must carry far more weight. In the meantime, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is close to announcing the deployment of a small contingent of 36 agents to join 200 others already working to keep a closer eye on U.S. gun shops openly frequented by the Mexican cartels. 

 

 

The problem of course is that this is still a very small number of agents given the over 6,000 gun shops. But the audience [those in the corridors of power] is a step ahead; a case in point being Senators Durbin and Feinstein. This progress is just in time because the situation on the border is explosive. For example, the Police of Cuidad Juarez are no longer civilians - they are under military control. Such is the magnitude of the problem - which is why Mexico needs the United States to pursue a policy that is supportive and clear.

 

For now, the first step is clearer than the second. In the coming weeks, those in the top echelons of the U.S. government will come to Mexico, including Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano; Attorney General Eric Holder; and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. And of course, Barack Obama himself is coming. The differences between this and the last U.S. administration are obvious. With Bush Administration visits, when there were any, we saw people responsible for border security but no one involved with diplomacy. The arrival in Mexico of Clinton and Obama will be much more than a gesture: it will represent an enormous step forward in the tone and interest of the United States toward Mexico.

 

It remains to be seen if both countries can translate this renewed spirit of collaboration into an authentic working relationship, and, perhaps more importantly, into a détente [relaxing or easing of relations]. Following [Mexico's] retaliation in the conflict over the truckers - of course we knew that the arrival of a Democrat in the White House would embolden U.S. unions - both the governments need to restore a common dialogue. Patriotic declarations are of no use in such a critical situation - except of course if one is seeking purely electoral advantage. If that's the case, then yes, talking about the United States as though it were the “black beast of the neighborhood,” can pay juicy dividends.

 

SEE ALSO ON THIS:

Excelsior, Mexico: How Mexico Could Legalize Pot - Whether U.S. Likes it or Not

Excelsior, Mexico: Relations Between U.S. and Mexico are Deteriorating

La Tercera, Chile Mexico's Drug War: No Way Out But to Fight On

Semana, Colombia: Michael Phelps and American Hypocricy on the Use of Drugs

 

Unfortunately, the state of Mexico's political climate represents a grave risk not only to its relationship with the United States, but also for the immediate progress of our domestic agenda. In recent days, Mexicans have witnessed the worst of our national politics. A little over three months before the July 5 elections, the Institutional Revolutionary Party [PRI] and the National Action Party [PAN] have decided that the best way to inform the public, and more importantly, make themselves indispensible to the country, is to throw stones like adolescents. Thus, according to the more pugilistic PRI, Calderon must “get tough,” while German Martinez [a PAN official] is a “midget looking for a fight.” PAN isn’t far behind.  

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

The provocation by PAN's president during the Acapulco Banking Convention had the goal of pressuring the PRI to approve reforms in the area of security, but it was also a "hook" for election day. No one in their right mind would expect two political parties entangled in a complicated political battle to comport themselves like fine young ladies. But from there to endorsing and benefitting from paralysis is a long way to walk. The duty of the legislature is to work by and for the voters. The political class must take great care: if it allows its solipsism to become autism, it risks the collapse of its fragile covenant with the citizenry. If that happens, watch out: non-participation at the polls will be the least of concerns.

 

CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH VERSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US March 24, 5:24pm]