The Bank of Mexico cut interest rates to six percent as the economy faces a sever slowdown of its economy. The stock market fell 50 percent in one day and consumer spending is generally down. This is not the first cut, and the addition amounts to a total easing by 225 base points. This is not reflected in the inflation rate, which remains at 6 percent, or the peso, which fell from 9.8 pesos per dollar to 15.6 before climbing to 13. Mexico maintains a goal to slow inflation to 3 percent by 2010. A countrys monetary policy affects it's relations with foreign nations, the domestic consumer confidence and general public support for the government, and the possibility for long term regime stability.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123997901566629333.html
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April 20, 2009
April 19, 2009
We've Got Our Guns Back, We Promise!
After the semi-succesful meeting between President Obama and President Calderon, Obama stood behind the fact that the United States had successfully "recovered" 90% of the assault weapons that had crossed the Texas-Mexico border, helping to quell the violence and shows the United States dedication to helping it's southern neighbour; however, the 90% is only out of firearms registered with the United States. The true percentage is about 18%.
Houston Man Convicted for Arming Drug Cartels
John Philip Hernandez, a resident in Houston, was recently sentenced to 8 years in prison for arming drug cartels. The actual count against him was making a false statement to a gun dealer, which runs about 4 to 5 years standard. Working through various parties, he accumulated 339 military style weapons over 15 months, claiming that they were all for personal use, and would not be turned over to a third party. At least 40 of them have already been recovered in Mexico. His lengthened sentence was because, although he claimed that he didn't know they were going to drug cartels, they are the only serious market for assault rifles and military guns. Prosecutors felt that he should know that he is only arming hit-men.read more here
It is from contacts in America that the drug cartels are able to get a majority of their weapons, which undoubtably fuels a fair deal of anger on Mexico's side and thus makes international accords all the more arduous. Also, we create a sizable market for the drug cartels, in effect fueling the drug wars from almost every angle. We have never colonized Mexico, but throughout history we have dominated them politically and economically in an extremely one sided arrangement, and only by easing up in our involvement will Mexico be able to develop into a fully industrialized nation.
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Lost in Translation
Obama's visits to Mexico has caused many people's hopes to be raised. Through assurances of helping the United States southern "partner" and sharing the responsibility for the drug cartels and the war on drugs, it could be that the US and Mexico are starting a "new era" in US-Mexican relations. Obama and Calderon both made commitments for a new and increased connections in the economy. However when it comes to real actions, there was little to show. The Mexicans themselves are happy for now because of the President's expressions of good will, but some commentators are urging the people not to get their hopes up do to previous meeting with many promises turned back on. Mexico's top two priorities, renewing the assault weapons ban and the restart of the NAFTA pilot program, were left where they were. Much of Obama's purpose in this visit was to undo the damage done by the previous administrations characterization of Mexico as a failed state. "Although Mexicans generally saw the Obama visit as purely symbolic, they were gratified that issues such as immigration reform also got an airing. In Mexico, as in Europe, Obama benefits from simply not being George W. Bush." The visit shows how the United States and Mexico are now going to go forward into a new era of diplomacy and common goals rather than through purely opportunisitic ideologies portrayed by previous administrations
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In Mexico, demand increases for specialization
A new Peace Corps program provides specialized assitance to Mexico instead of the traditional eager pair of hands. In this program the Mexican government reviewe the list of approved applicants and then selected a team of economists and ecologists to assist Mexico's enivironmental agencies. Generally the volunteers (average age: 48) help the Mexican officals run their own programs instead of doing field work. In Mexico this project is more useful and more likely to endure since it is seen as locally run. Its benefits are twofold : it is good for US-Mexico relations, helps Mexico out, and preserves the environment more effectively. This program seems important because it is a program where the US is legitimately actually helping Mexico as opposed to doing little to prevent gun transcations.
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April 13, 2009
Got yourself a Gun
The recent spout of drug related violence in Mexico is due to the expiration of a ban in assault weapons trading within the U.S., say members of the calderon government. Estimates on the number of guns imported range as high as 90 percent. This is the subject of the complaint filed by the Mexican ambassador, and while the expiration of the ban may cause resentment on both side, the issue does pose opportunities for cooperation. Obama is visiting the region relatively soon, and the United States has provided eight hundred million dollars in aid. Increasing numbers of armaments is likely to further destabilize the region and regime while decreasing civil participation because they fear for their lives and intact limbs.
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A Laundry List of Problems
At last, someone has truly outlined issues in Mexican security and equity, and presented them in a sort of open letter to President Obama.
The article outlines various issues that threaten the welfare of the state of Mexico, including:
- Corrupt court officials that prohibit drug kingpins from being jailed
- No media safety net, as many journalists are taken hostage and/or killed
The article continues on to divide the blame between the United States and President Calderon; the former because of the un-renewed ban on assault weapons and high demand for mexican drugs, and the latter because of his inability to reach out to his "left" allies for help in the time of the country's greatest need.
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The article outlines various issues that threaten the welfare of the state of Mexico, including:
- Corrupt court officials that prohibit drug kingpins from being jailed
- No media safety net, as many journalists are taken hostage and/or killed
The article continues on to divide the blame between the United States and President Calderon; the former because of the un-renewed ban on assault weapons and high demand for mexican drugs, and the latter because of his inability to reach out to his "left" allies for help in the time of the country's greatest need.
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April 12, 2009
Billions in 'Blood Money' Fuel Bloodshed In Juarez, Mexico
Juarez has suffered greatly as a result of the drug violence present in Mexico. The city has been completely overtaken by the drug war. 2,000 have died as a result of drug violence in the last 14 months. The army has been occupying the city in a state of martial law for the last six weeks. The mayor had fired half of the police force to attempt to remove corruption,resulting in the deaths of 50 officials. a former mercenary claims to have had help smuggling drugs from us officials on the border. He said the drug cartels have many US officials on payroll and they are known to the cartel members only by number. The FBI has said the corruption from the cartels is on the rise. Especially as the justice system in Mexico has mostly fallen apart as most cases from 2008 went unsolved. The Mayor ofJuarez sees a great irony in the continued marijuana usage by Americans and the fact that 90 percent of guns found on cartel members are from the US.Mexico having even temporily lost a city to complete immersion in drug violence is a very scary thing considering its status is very close to 'failed state'. The US's continuing inability to assist Mexico is severly hurting the Mexicans fight against the drug cartels.
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Millions Gather for Good Friday Pageant
Last friday (Good Friday), a massive re-enactment of the Passion took place all over Mexico, as it has for decades. As always, the biggest one was located in Iztapalapa, the largest barrio in Mexico City. Drawing about 2 million visitors yearly, in a tradition going back to 1843, the acting out of the Passion is a major festival which can boast a number of street vendors and even a ferris wheel. With rainfall at a record low for that area, water itself has become a scarce luxury, but everyone remains cheerful during the Passion. To play a major part in the re-enactment is a major honor (Diego Zirahuen Villagran Villalobos got the part of Jesus), and people line up for the opportunity even to play Judas. Altogether, the festival is a yearly, emotional occurrence which draws the people together and helps them forget the misfortune in their lives.read more here
This festival is a major event with strong ties to Christianity and Catholicism, the predominant religion of Mexico. It unifies the people in a celebration which permeates geographical separations by drawing on common religious beliefs; as good as the union is, it may later create tensions between religious groups.
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April 10, 2009
Cap-and-Trade
In an effort to combat global warming around the world, Mexico has joined the multitude of countries now starting a carbon trading market as the crucial part of a cap-and-trade program. This cap and trade program works as follows. There is a limit put on these companies as to how much carbon emissions allowed to escape into the environment. Each company then will have this limit, and those companies that fall below this limit are then allowed to sell the amount that is not being used to a company that is going over the limit. The large scale goal for these programs is to cut in half the amount of carbon-dioxide outputs by 2050, as Mexico's Director of Environmental Issues, Godinez Rosales said. The main motivation behind these programs is to cut back on the amount of greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere. The real questions is whether or not it will work to sieze that which caused the problem in the first place, commodity fetishism without a regard for anything else, and use it to turn back the problem. By using the incentive of the market place, they are motivating the companies with regard to profit. “We want companies to see climate change as a growth opportunity and a way to improve competitiveness" said Rosales
read more here
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April 5, 2009
Mexico's death cult protests shrine destruction
200 worshippers of the 'Sante Muerte'(Death Saint) marched against the government today against what they saw as religious perscution. However the religion is popular with drug traffickers and soliders often see shrines to the saint on raids. Practioners though believe the saint protects them from a violent death. Officials have denied claims that they are targetting sante Muerte, but in the past month 30 shrines to the saint(which consist of marble structures and the sketal figure) have been destroyed. Protestors carried portable shrines and signs proclaiming their faith to the belief. Obviously the government's attempts to crack down on drug violence have become to use more desperate measures creating negative feedback in an already dissatisfied population. Unforunately there has not even been a positive side to this perscution against 'cultists'. This weakens an already frail sense of legitmacy for the government, which in its struggle for the country is acting against the wishes of some of the population. This suggests to me that the Mexican goverment is willing to sacrifice civil liberites if it means that they can keep a hold on the country.
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And Now for Something Completely Different
Taking inspiration from the United States mortgage bubble, Mexico applied for a 40 billion dollar credit line from the International Monetary Fund. This act will occur at .27 percent interest and will double Mexico's foreign investments. The money is a record setting amount from the IMF, which offers no stipulations or conditions on lent money. This move enhances its comparative credibility with other organizations like the World Bank, and shatters the previous record for a flexible credit line of 27 billion to Brazil. The economic response to the initiative was good; the Peso appreciated 2.7 percent in two days and the country in general appears to be stabilizing economically to a certain extent. The impact on public policy making from international organizations is enormous, as it usually imposes some economic restructuring that may trade off with such basic amenities such as public health, and enhances globalizing pressures.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/02/mexico-imf-credit-business-oxford.html
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Death Rates Dropping, Attitudes Rising
Reviewing the figures, it is apparent that the death rates from drug violence in Ciudad Juarez have dropped as of late. In the Jan-Mar period, death rates have dropped 25% from the rates in the Oct-Dec period last year. While they are still double what they were in the Jan-Mar period of 2008, they are a hopeful sign of possible de-escalation in the drug wars. This is the decline hoped for since Mexico sent in troops last month. With this setting the backdrop and joint actions with America looking very possible, things in Mexico may be getting just a little bit better. Maybe.
read more here
In all likelyhood, this statistic means nothing, and all hopes for a quick end are simply wishful thinking. Still, when comparing Mexico to the rest of the world, it is in no way a third world country. With the wealth and political freedoms which many other regimes are unable to match, Mexico's government has a fair deal of legitamacy, and is capable of carrying out changes and policies which just might have some chance of succeeding. Perhaps it's finally working. Or not.
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April 4, 2009
The Ring..err..Ties of Power!
Attorney General Eric Holder recently met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Attorney General Eduardo Medina-Mora. All parties involved agreed that actions needed to be taken towards the much percieved drug cartel violence sparking all througout Mexico. However they also refuted the Pentagon claim that Mexico was heading towards attaining the term of "failed state". On the same schedule was the topic of Colombia, and the rampant drug corruption there as well. In Colombia, a southern neighbor of Mexico (2 blocks down), corruption is so bad that the leader of the Medellin cartel was just recently elected to Congress. These drugs are causing problems for both Mexico and the United States. On the topic of the weakening of the Mexican state Medina-Mora replied, “Mexico has never been a weak state. It is not today. It will never be in the future. We have faced even more difficult problems than this one. And it is relevant to put this in perspective.” Adding to this, he said that the purpose of the Mexican war on drugs is to remove from power those who infringe upon the rights of Mexican citizens. They discussed training Mexican canine teams, and the US Coast Guard to work alongside the Mexican Navy. The recent talks between administration of both relevant countries shows the increased diplomacy in the Obama administration and the ability of it to handle a multitude of problems while even in the midst of a global financial crisis. Alongside this, it shows the Obama administration is adopting new policies that, rather than just putting the US on a world pedestal, raises the entire world onto that same step as well. The new regime is removing the divide of "Us" and "Them" and allows the US people to see the "Them" as nothing but a different "Us". “We are going to operate almost like a vise,” Ms. Napolitano said of the United States and Mexico, after the meeting with Mr. Calderón. “We’re going to take out the cartels that have been plaguing our communities for far too long.”
read more here
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March 29, 2009
Obama Lays the Smack Down
"Stop, in the Name of the Border Security"
Obama has officially decided that the Mexican violence gotten too far out of hand, and is now spilling over into the United States at an alarming rate.
Unsurprisingly, he advocated a "reduction of demand for illegal drugs" and a restriction of arms sales near the border, to curtail violent outbreaks and gang organization.
He reminds the US that the violence is a "two way street", referencing the bi-directionality of the border and not-so-subtly warns us that the violence is just a matter of crossing over a line on a map; there is no invisible wall that separates Us from Them, the only division is our ideological feeling of security that threatens our very tangible, atrophying physical security.
"President Barack Obama says the violence spilling over from Mexico's fight against drug cartels has gotten out of hand and is a serious threat to U.S. border communities."
March 28, 2009
Mexican Drug Cartel Training Camp in Guatemala
On March 27, Guatemalan military force found out about a secret camp that was training drug cartel forces. Reports had come in about certain activities that were going on in a Ranch in Quiche. As the police arrived, 2 commanders of the Zetas of the Gulf Cartel from Mexica, and 37 recruits ran away leaving behind more than 500 grenades, rifles, and 100's of rounds of ammunition. This is linked to the ongoing drug wars taking control of Mexico. More than 6200 people were killed last year due to drug violence in Mexico. The Zetas appealed to young recruits by promising them jobs, and training. In such a bad economic climate this was like the promise of free money which is feuling the drug cartels. Among other things at the ranch, an illegal airstrip was found alongside obstacle courses and shooting ranges. The Zetas themselves were in the news recently as a bus attacks happened in Guatemala city to distract attention away from the border where illegal weapons trafficking was going on. This portrays the amount of strength that the drug cartels have recieved especially due to the global economic recession and the announced drug war by Calderon. "'They wanted to recruit young men. They offered training in the use of certain weapons and said they had jobs,' Blanco said."
read more here
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March 23, 2009
Obama Goes Where You Shouldn't
"President Barack Obama's scheduled visit to Mexico in April will be an opportunity to align the priorities of the two countries with the interests of the new U.S. administration and to smooth over a number of problematic areas."
The list of problems is stacked high for Mexico: infrastructure-threatening drug wars, unstable state government, the looming economic recession, and poor public image. The United States, enter stage right. President Obama is planning a diplomatic trip to Mexico to talk to Mexican President Calderon to cover the aforementioned issues. In addition, Obama is going to hold a conference to discuss the "threat" of immigration, and the recently instated 20% tariff against the United States.
This meeting is a good example of the importance of 'good neighbours' in government policy; the Obama/Calderon meeting is not hostile, but rather seeking resolve on key issues in public policy.
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Mexico Raises US Tariffs - Who is in the Wrong?
Recently, Mexico raised tariffs against 90 US products, some taxes increasing to 20%. The reason given was US failure to honor a NAFTA commitment 14 years ago, granting looser restrictions on Mexican delivery trucks America. A NAFTA committee ruling puts us at fault, and admittedly the entire process of escapist ignorance was started in the Clinton administration, and continued to this day. Currently, many goods are transfered to American trucks shortly after crossing the border, allegedly because Mexican trucks are too unsafe to be on American roads. An international random inspection program determined more American trucks to be in violation of standard regulations (21.6% - 20.7%). US response to the tariff is expected to be minimal, because it only covers about 1.5% of our exports to Mexico. Also no one cares. About Mexico.read more here
Justified or not, this tariff is an example of a distancing between our countries in a time when cooperation is necessary. Without working together, neither country can tackle the drug problem - Mexico lacks resources, US lacks access. And America needs to be held accountable for the treaties it makes. Used more popularly in our history as a protective measure for domestic industries, tariffs can be, and now are, used as a means to influence foreign powers. And in an increasingly globalized economy, we at least need to keep geographically close countries on good terms.
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March 22, 2009
Eat more of this chocolate.
In response to domestic drug violence catalyzed by a military crackdown on hostile drug cartels south of the border, Obama took the most logical action: a crackdown along the border and increased cooperation in hunting down and killing narco-traffickers. In all fairness, the package is fairly comprehensive, with measures aimed at preventing arms sales, preventing movement across the border by smugglers, and a more comprehensive approach to security that may stem the tide of attacks that claimed 7000 last year. Obama took a leading role in cooperating with his equivalent head of state, phellipe Calderon, in attempting to adress the situation amidst fears of state failure.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/21/AR2009032102247.html
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Suspected drug cartel hitman arrested in Mexico
A drug cartel member suspected of planning an attack on the US Consulate in Northen Mexico has been arrested. The man was part of 'Zetas', a group of armed men, working for the Golfo Cartel. The group had executed a grenade attack on the consulate in October.Attacks on the US consulate may make the US more hesitant to send support, which would not be good for the President. However since they captured one of the assailants, Mexico still has some control.
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Tariff on the US
In a suprising turn of events, after the US ended the pilot program allowing a limited amount of Mexican trucks on US highways, Mexico retaliated and implemented a tariff on a variety of US goods. Mexico announced higher tariffs on $2.4 billion worth of imports coming from the US. This comes alongside other news of the ongoing Mexican drug wars. Based on this and the drug wars, Felipe Calderon and Obama have planned a meeting to discuss the "US-Mexican relationship" on a variety of topics which are easily guessed. Mexico has stated that the US has violated the North American Free Trade Agreement by ending this pilot program. Secretary of State Clinton will also be visiting Mexico this week, and this alongside other issues in the drug war will probably come up. The implementation of the tariff in retaliation will hit imports from a variety of states across the US with the threat of expanding the list if the trucking issue is not solved. However some of nervous about such things as shown just this past week after "after a Mexican big-rig truck crashed into a bus in northern Mexico this week, killing seven Americans, three Canadians and the Mexican bus driver." This goes to show the interaction of nations especially in the economic turmoil as is happening now; and the importance of free trade between nations.
Read more here
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March 9, 2009
Death, Gloom, Destruction, Mexico
Somebodies getting work in the economic crisis. Mexico's morgue's are experiencing an influx of bodies due to the recent explosion of drug-related violence. So far this year 1000 people have been killed, compared with 6000 in the entirety of 2008, raising concerns about stability and civil order. In a particular criminal lab and morgue in Ciudad Juarez, founded after women were found raped and dumped in the desert, is experiencing overflow to the extent that they pack fridges supposed to have a mazimum capacity of 80 with 200 people. 40 percent test positive for marijuana or cocaine use, suggesting the futility of the drug wars. The fact that many friends of the deceased refuse to claim the body as a defense mechanism compounds the problem. This is indicative of larger systemic violence, undermining mexican stability and providing exact, visceral proof of impending catastrophe.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hQk0IcGHRThAZGok6vKI4lrnPasQD96Q0D7G0
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March 8, 2009
Turns Out, People Don't Want to Die
The recently blogged about decision of the United States travel agencies to declare the majority of Mexico a "Go at your own risk" location, Mexico's tourist industry is bracing for the worst. As simple as this seems, the economic challenges that Mexico faces right now can only be exacerbated by foreign (negative) speculation, especially for key markets like tourism.
Mexico condemns US 'corruption'
President Calderon has blamed the US 'corruption' for the problems of Mexico. As the US is a huge consumer of drugs, and the authorities do nothing to stop. Calderon has been attempting to step up the anti-drug cartel plan, but he feels the US has failed to assist by stopping the high number of guns from crossing the border. However he feels that recent talks with President Obama have been fruitful.
I think it says a lot about how much Calderon needs our help that he is throwing insults at us, desperate to stop all the death.
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March 7, 2009
GM Corn Experiments Tentatively Begun
Genetically modified corn, formerly a no-no by Mexican law, is now allowed with special permission on a kind of trial basis. Mexico (and the surrounding region) is, historically, the birthplace of corn, and it had totally banned all genetically modified variations until now, largely out of fear that GM would limit genetic diversity, thus making their entire crop more susceptible to famine, or any major disaster. Technically the usage has not been officially legalized, and the government has made no statement about future plans for GM corn.read more here
Agriculture still employs a fairly large sector of the Mexican workforce (18% in 2003), another indicator of the fact that it is not a fully developed country. Yet even in agriculture, modernization provides for greater efficiency and better production, a sign of potential growth overall in a country that definitely needs it. Their reservations about going full-speed farming revolution also shows economic prudence - as the "shock therapy" of Russia has shown, blindly jumping into reform is not necessarily as effective as gradual change.
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The Obama Factor
Read more here
Namárië
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March 1, 2009
Spring Break: Beer and Bombs
Spring Break is approaching, and many college students, as have students of the past, are booking flights and reservations for Mexico. However, as every previous post can testify, Mexico is in no way the safest place to be right now. The University of Arizona in Tuscon is urging about 37000 students to stay out of Mexico, yet without a legal, or otherwise official, obligation, there is nothing really to stop the millions of wild teens from flocking to beaches around Cancun, Acapulco, and elsewhere. Certain observers, such as Mexican Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora, assert that "nine out of 10 people who have been killed in this fight are attributable to organized crime," and that any travelers should be able to avoid trouble by "behaving." Ultimately, they are screwed.read more here
Tourism being the biggest example, the economies of America and Mexico are closely intertwined. The industry created by the Spring Break rush is enormous, and arguably the most profitable week out of the year (ignoring whatever damage or trouble those damn kids get into). The fact that recent escalations in violence might interfere with the industry, shows the enormous and pervasive effect the violence has not only in the political spectrum, but in the economic as well. As we have observed in class, nothing does more to stabilize an oppressive regime, or oust a perfectly good one, than the economic conditions of the country in question.
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The Devil's Highway
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6288540.html
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Mexico is in Free Fall
Mexico's drug cartels goal is to tame and control the Mexican state, not just the border. It's state institutions are under attack in a way they haven't been for decades, or so this article claims. Journalists are more afraid to go to Mexico than anywhere in the Middle East even experienced war zone reporters. The cartels target important officials without fear: Jose Felix, co-coordinator at the national centre for planning and analysis to combat organized crime; Edgar Gomez, the highest ranked federal police official ; Juan Mournio, the national security adivsor, crashed in a plane under mysterious circumstances; Mauro Quinones was tortured and killed a week after recieving the positon of anti-drug chief in Cancun. The United States has in the past only paid lip service to foreign relations with Mexico despite this being a time when Mexico needs as much help as it can get.
It is terrifiyng to realize the implications of these targeted murders. The drug cartels are confident that they don't have to worry too much about anyone. They have the power. People listen to them and fear them. Without help, it is uncertain whether Chalderon will be able to keep a handle on this already out of control situation.
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February 28, 2009
Can Obama and Holder save Mexico?
President Calderon has been on a crusade to stop the drug trafficking industry taking over and rotting the entirety of Mexican life, economy, and bureacracy. With the entirety of the global economy on a drastic turn towards Hell (yes, Hell) America and many other nations have not had the time or the resources to deal with "The Mexican Problem". However a lot of overwhelming evidence has come to prove that it is not specifically the Mexican Problem as it has many roots in the United States (see below). Signs are showing that now the Obama administration, specifcally Attorney General Eric Holder, is turning towards the problem due south. Holder has promised that he will enforce the ban on importation of assault weapons. These same imported assault weapons are then turned and resold to associates of the Mexican drug cartels. The weapons are primarily bought through this method because of the severe laws and regulations enforced in buying weapons in Mexico. In the past week the Obama administration has focused a lot of work in the rounding up 755 of suspected Sinaloa drug cartel members, alongside $59 million in drug money. Thus, the Obama administration does seem to be putting forth effort and thought on the very likely possibility of a finite Mexico. Congress also has put $10 million in the economic stimulus package to "Project GunRunner" which is a crackdown on US weapons trafficking. Somehow the word trafficking keeps popping up. This is showing the relation of different nations in the midst of a changing global world, and economy. It is showing the positive effects of globalization as it battles the negative effects. Time will tell which side, positive or negative, will eventually overcome the other. "Calderón applauded Holder's announcement as 'the first time ... in many years that the American government is starting to show more commitment.'"
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All signs point to the United States
It appears the drug wars in Mexico, and their violent nature, could hold root in the United States. With the United States' large demand for drugs from our Southern Neighbour, and the fact that they are considered crimes instead of public health problems, this creates a large "underground" trading networks which are the infrastructure of the modern cartel. In addition, the increasing use of Assault Weapons imported from the United States is a direct result of Congress not renewing a ban on the same weapons. It is interesting to see how various public policy choices of nations decide the fate of those around them.
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February 22, 2009
The Economic Slowdown
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/reuters/2009/02/20/2009-02-20T223043Z_01_N20296423_RTRIDST_0_MEXICO-ECONOMY-WRAPUP-1.html
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Failed State
With the drug wars taking apart the country of Mexico one brick at a time, many other international countries are trying to remove themselves from Mexico so they won’t get dragged down as well. The problems have been internal for a long time, but now with the serious economic issues faced around the globe, Mexico’s “rep” has finally gone over the border. Literally. The US government has even issued travel advisories of people going to Mexico, the very nation bordering us to the south. Protests are occurring that were put together by the drug trafficking gangs. Then the police chief in Cuidad Juarez was told to step down or a cop would be killed every two days. It sounds like it’s straight from No Country for Old Men right? Calderon sending 40,000 troops to fight the drug cartels has developed into “unprecedented violence.” The drug gangs themselves seem to have risen up to the government mandates and fought back. With the violence being worst at the border, as stated before, we could have a chaotic situation with an unprecedented end at our southern border. Globalization could very well be stopping at the borders of Mexico and allowing events to take their own path. As stated below by Ian, perhaps one of the only ways to remove the drug gangs from this violent scenario is to legalize drugs. Otherwise, Mexico may be on its way down.
“Mexico has an image problem. It has long been internal – with newspaper headlines and nightly news broadcasting the menacing notes, severed heads, and bullet-riddled bodies that are the byproducts of a deadly drug war raging across the country.”
Read more here
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Police Chief of Juarez Threatened by Gunmen
Last wednesday cardboard signs sprung up around the city of Ciudad Jauarez declaring the deaths of police officers every forty-two hours until the police chief resigns. Last friday a police officer and a jail guard were killed with similar signs on their bodies taking credit. The chief, Roberto Orduna, resigned hours later.This is just another example of how the rule of law in Mexico, especially around the border, has deteriorated to the point that the elected and appointed officials seem to have no actual power. The police are outgunned, and they're being outlasted by rogue criminals backed by the drug cartel. Their influence over such relatively high levels of administration and their slaying of innocents must be broken before any real political legitmacy can take place.
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Mexico's Calderon slams anti-army street protests
President Calderon has condemned the protests against the military involvment in the drug war. He and the police claim the protests were orcheastrated by the largest drug cartel, Gulf Cartel. The Gulf cartel handed out bags full of books and school school supplies to poor families to encourage them to protest. The protestors marched to the northern city of Monterrey, blocking bridges and routes to the United States, and many wore colored cloth to hide their faces.
Calderon is not only struggling against the people's lack of legitimacy for the government , but also against the insidous power of the drug cartels which turns the people against the drug war (because the drug war creates death) and infilitrates the police. I don't know if Mexico will ever be able to rout out all of the drug problems from their country simply because it is such an uphill battle. The people just want to be left alone, and the drug cartels have infilitrated the tools Mexico is using to remove them.
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February 21, 2009
Still Alive
Last week left us with a grim outlook on Mexico's future: utter collapse of economic and civil domains, leaving the country in ruins with no hope of resuscitation. But is it true? Do the drug wars and economic downfall indicate a ruined core, or are they just problems that any country has to deal with? Turns out, Mexico is nowhere close to losing control of territory, collapsing public services, or governmental failure. Thus, a new proposal to end the drug wars: legalize drugs. While this may seem like a radical alternative, it makes sense: without the need for incarcerations and (incredibly violent) underground drug cartels, they can become establishments that pump money into the failing economy.
"But "failed state" is the sort of shorthand that Washington has a way of turning into its own reality, the facts be damned. The Mexican government isn't on the verge of losing physical control of its territory, stopping public services or collapsing. But it is under tremendous pressure and has only nominal control in some places, including border cities such as Tijuana, near San Diego, and Juarez, which sits cheek-by-jowl with El Paso. Army troops patrol the streets, but the police, courts, journalists and citizenry are cowed by the less-visible but more-ruthless drug cartels."
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February 15, 2009
Japan's Isuzu Motors Relocating Production to Mexico
Isuzu Motors, Japan's largest producer of trucks, has relocated their productional facilities to Cuautitlan, Mexico, to "lower costs". As the process of globalization continues, we see the logic of strategically stratified production in areas of lower minimum wage and environmental regulations unfold. It also indicates Mexico's willingness to be a player in a larger scheme of economic trading networks.
The End
With the subsequent collapse of the world economy, the new US President, stimulus package, and Gaza, the troubles in Mexico havn't gained much world attention. About a week ago, drug gangs broke into police radio frequencies and sent death threats to officers which they promptly carried out. They name the officer and then the officer shows up a couple of hours later with a bullet in his or her head. On Thursday, LA Times ran a map showing that there were 7337 drug related murders in the past two years. Now with the President Calderon’s call to an all out war on drugs, the death toll has topped even the count in Iraq. Many people are now questioning whether or not Mexico will even be able to finish the war on drugs before it collapses. This is following the news of the bond issue happening just a couple days ago. Nobody is even willing to buy the governments bonds after they were put up for “sale”. With their economy melting, drug cartels abounding, 45,000 troops killing, Mexico’s future looks…scary. The violence of the drug cartels have even come across the border with five men in Alabama tortured and killed over a drug debt of $400,000. 350 kidnappings have occurred in the past two years. Soon enough, we may not be studying Mexico as a “Developing Democratic Nation” anymore. "So far it hasn't turned up on President Obama's radar. But a collapsing Mexico off the southern U.S. border can't be ignored forever."
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Drugs
The Mexican government in early 2006 decided to crack down on drug trafficking by sending thousands of troops around the country. In response, the city of monterrey has launched protests, as some soldiers are believed to be shooting civilians. However, onlookers believe this is an attempt by drug cartels to lash back at the government, as the original demonstrations were started by members, and the demonstrations were fed by money and school supplies being distributed. Gangs were taking direct action against the authorities, killing the officer responsible for investigating them. This is part of a larger wave of violence, with 6000 dead last year and this number expected to rise. The riots reflect a larger pattern of mexican instability, with regional movements decreasing governmental confidence and opening possibilities for failure and violent state civilian relations.
By the way, this is located right below the story on mexico city breaking the worlds kissing barrier.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gHWLUm1UtoG95H7QyRg_-GiMC4HQD96B1H280
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In Mexico, 21 killed in burst of Chihuahua violence
Before dying in a shootout Gunmen abducted 9 people and killed six in one of the deadliest areas of Mexico: Chihuahua. There has been an ongoing turf war in the area between rival drug-trafficking groups. The area reported 2,000 drug trafficking related deaths in the past year. President Feliz Calderon has deployed 45,000 men to crack down on organized crime, but the crack down has caused the violence to escalate creating a record number of deaths.
Some have objected to the military's involvement in drug wars, but the President claims it is temporary, allowing local and regional officials and policemen time to clean up and improve.
This articles seams to make it appear that the President has become willingly to do even more to stop drug violence, but unfortunately people do not seem to have faith in the national military to do its job and not cause further pains. I would venture that perhaps the people have a weak sense of legitimacy for their national government.
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February 14, 2009
Mexican Make-Out Session - Conclusion
The long anticipated make out session finally took place earlier today in Mexico City, and the record was won. Nearly 40000 convened on Valentine's Day (the exact number was 39897, an odd number, which keeps making me laugh), to "show love" when drug-related violence and other unpleasantness seem to dominate the Mexican world. City workers volunteered to give out hugs, and teenage males wandered around with posters offering their services. After all kisses were held for 10 seconds, the popular ranchera singer Vincente Fernandez gave a free concert. While having little to do directly to the politics of Mexico, it does present a different setting and image for our southern neighbor, considering a good number of previous posts involve in some way guns, drugs, or druggies with guns. And it does illustrate the social climate of Mexico, with open affection and probably an even greater national pride. Demonstrations of this magnitude would be difficult for countries with a careless public, and one can only wonder how many would vote in national elections, provided it was not required.read more here
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February 11, 2009
Surprise!!
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/11/eveningnews/main4794054.shtml
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February 8, 2009
You May Want to Reconsider Your Vacation Destination
With the massive increase in drug activity combined with tough economic competition throughout Mexico's entirety, over 200 American citizens have been murdered since 2004 alone, making for a dangerous vacation location that warrants reconsideration.
"More than 200 American citizens have been killed since 2004 in Mexico's escalating wave of violence, amounting to the highest number of unnatural deaths in any foreign country outside military combat zones, according to the U.S. State Department."
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Mexico City to turn Green with New Recycling Plan
Mexico is planning to build 4 new recycling and waste processing centers to burn and compost eighty-six percent of trash(from the current six percent). This will place Mexico City in line with cities such as San Fransisco, and first among developing cities. The largest landfill in Mexico City will close this month, and the city is taking a hard look at the amount of trash it produces. The city has required its citizens to sort trash for several years, but the city's infrastructure has not been able to handle it.I think this really interesting because it shows that despite the rampant drug wars and other issues Mexico City is facing there is a push to help the environment even if it comes out of slight interest of wanting the city to not be surrounded by landfills and horribly trashed. A real push for an improvement in how the city's government handles this also shows a huge change perhaps because of the international focus recently on not further hurting the environment (greenhouse gases etc)
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Artist Remembers Lost Children
Ilan Lieberman, an artist who formerly gained fame as the "human photocopier," is currently traveling around with his new exhibition, "Nino Perdido," or "Lost Child." Moved by the plight of kidnapped children throughout Mexico, and disgusted by the lack of attention the government and the people give, he redrew sketches of stolen children, copied from often poor quality newspaper articles. He says it is not so much to try and change the government's policies, as it is to urge the public to be more aware to the situation. Each picture is as they appear in the newspapers, drawn with dots and only about the size of a postage stamp. Magnifying glasses are supplied to view the artwork. After May 10th his art will be transfered to El Paso on the US-Mexico border, near the city of Ciudad Juarez. This whole story reflects the power in individual initiative, and should be an example to foil with our current "functional apathy."read more here
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February 7, 2009
Peso Rebounds
Mexico Peso gains value for the first time in months as the Banco de Mexico has gone from total transparency to the exact opposite. By keeping traders guessing as to how many peso’s Banco de Mexico is buying from banks a day, it is moving away from the predictable set-auction system using the uncertainty to lower the speculation against the peso. The intervention by the government into the market system is in response to the global recession. Mexico itself has been deeply affected by the recession in the US as exports are cut. Right now it is 13.8 peso’s to one dollar. Economists are estimating that it can rise to 13.2 peso’s to one dollar by the end of the year. “We decided to intervene when it became clear there were elements in the market trying to destabilize the peso to make a profit,” Carstens said at a Mexican homebuilding conference in New York. “We reserve the right to intervene when the market situation demands intervention.” This entire market situation, in Mexico and abroad, reflect that entirety of globalization and the free market identity that the world has adopted. It also deals with each individual nation trying to stay afloat in such a dire world economy.
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February 2, 2009
Border Fence Finishing Before Arguments
601 miles of the border fence between America and Mexico have been completed, and only 69 miles remain before it reaches its intended goal during the Bush administration. The fence has cost $2.7 billion since 2006 and is expected to cost more for maintenance. President Obama intends to evaluate other options besides the wall, but has not decided to stop it just yet. There is some effort in creating a "virtual wall" of surveillance equipment surrounded major cities, so that illegal immigrants won't be able to blend in even if they get past the wall. Fewer people are in fact trying to cross over, though ironically that is most likely because of our current economic downturn, raising the hilarious question that perhaps the best way to stem immigration is by becoming a less desirable nation. This wall is more testament to the isolationist attitude of America and the current economic conditions in Mexico.read more here
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America-Great Country, or the Greatest
The mexican government has launched efforts to teach every child starting at kindergarten the English language in an effort to increase global economic integration. Northern counties find it more important to know english in order to work. They plan to train 85,000 teachers in 500 schools to accomplish this monumental task. Until now, English has been mandatory from grades seven through nine, however due to differences in income some students do not attend school at all in this age area while some began at preschool. This is another vivid example of the growing income gap, government attempts to solve it, and effects on employment opportunities and opportunities.
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February 1, 2009
Cartels in Mexico's Drug War get Guns from the US
Police approaching a drug cartel house last may , and 7 were shot by powerful arms procured in Phoenix, Arizona. The presence of an ak-47 assualt rifle highlights that corrupt American arms dealers are supplying drug cartels with arms making the fight against the drug cartels even more difficult. When US border inspectors were questioned about often outgoing traffic is searched they would only reveal not all traffic is searched. US officials also say that dealing with the corrupts arms dealers would be very dangerous as they are very powerful which leaves the Mexican Government with a big problem. The Mexican ambassdor wants the the US to better enfocr their gun exportation laws, crack down on 'straw buyers'(men who buy arms then bring them to the cartels), and gather info on corrupt dealers.
This article highlights how much Mexico and the US need to work together to prevent Mexico's drug wars from escalating. However, the US government as thus far not really focused on this critical issue. Ending the drug cartels in Mexico will bring them further away from the brink.
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January 31, 2009
Drugs, Murder, and Pueblo Mágico
With President Felipe Caldron taking a harsher stance against drug cartels and police corruption, violence between traffickers and the Mexican military is occurring more and more frequently. The breakdown of many of the larger cartels throughout Mexico has led to the increase in the activity of smaller gangs especially in areas of small crime. In response to the increase in violence, tourism, one of Mexico’s largest and most profitable industries, has significantly dropped with people fearing the "oh my god it's happening next door" type of criminal activity. Writer Maribeth Mellin summed it up by saying, “I just think that your chances of being an innocent bystander or witnessing something bad are higher now.”
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