Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
I haven't checked the news in about two days beyond making sure that whatever city I'm supposed to be flying to hasn't been swallowed up in a tsunami or invaded by aliens. I'm therefore not qualified to be a pundit today. I know that wouldn't stop some of us, but I like to think that just as Margaret Thatcher was a Conviction Politician, I am a Conviction Pundit. (If pushed to the wall for an opinion on the day's news, though, whatever it is, I'm against it.)
Would you all mind covering for me for a bit and being the pundits today? (I'd do it for you, you know I would.) Because I have a question that's bothering me more and more with every day I spend here. I'm hearing these murmurings, everywhere I go, that Mexico has become a failed narco-state ruled by gangster kings. Although I'm over here arguing that people aren't paying enough attention to Turkey, I suspect I'm just as guilty of failing to pay enough attention to Mexico.
I have to confess that I know almost nothing about Mexico. I spent a few months backpacking through the country when I was about eighteen years old, but that was a long, long time ago, and all I remember is that I probably had way too good a time, and politics weren't really the focus of my attention. I haven't seen much reporting about Mexico in Turkey, or perhaps I just skimmed over it, because from that vantage point it seems far away and abstract, just as Turkey does from here.
When I last lived in America, Mexico had problems, sure, but no one was calling it a failed state. And I've obviously pretty much missed everything that's happened since.
Can Ricochet readers explain to me what's happened, starting from the basics? Is it true that it's now a failed narco-state, or is that just sensationalism? What's most important to grasp if I want to understand the situation? What are the implications of these developments? And whose fault are they?
If it's true, I'm definitely against it.
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Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
I think Mexico has a very serious problem with narcotics trade. But I think that these stories present a very flawed picture of what day-to-day life in Mexico is like for most people there, including my in-laws who are Mexican citizens.
As to the history and implications of those problems, I'll defer to those more knowledgeable!
Sep '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
Mexico is a cesspool of poverty, corruption, drug-running, human-smuggling and insane violence. The drug gangs think nothing of invading a rehab center and killing all the patients just to catch a few rivals. They will take over a whole town and slaughter every official & policeman they catch. Then the army has to move in and fight a pitched battle to take the town back. An awful lot of people are being killed down there. Only recently, 72 dead migrant workers turned up, butchered for God knows what reason. But you would hardly know about any of it from the MSM. They cannot bring too much attention to the ugliness south of the border, because that would justify Arizona's move to protect its borders. Mexico is definitely a failed state, in a very unique, horrifying way.
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
David--that's what I've been hearing, which is what has led me to think I'm really missing something. What happened? When? Why? This was surely not true before--I mean, I traveled through the country by myself, as I said, as an innocent 18-year-old girl, and saw nothing remotely like this, nor did I hear warnings of it.
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
And who's reporting on this from Mexico, as opposed to an armchair? What are the slants of the various columnists?
Jul '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
Claire, no one lost Mexico.
If Mexico didn't have a long, porous border with the US - and significant, though dwindling oil reserves - it would be just another typical Central-and-Southern American basket case.
Mexico's problems, like those of most of Latin America, go all the way back to the Spanish colonization. Spain failed to participate in the Reformation and the Enlightenment, which meant that it did not develop the institutions that protected individual rights to property. Wealth was distributed corruptly, based upon raw political power.
That continues to this day in Latin America, with a few exceptions.
It's no use expecting Mexico to suddenly leap 500 years forward in terms of property rights and state enforcement of contracts.
All we can hope to do is enforce our borders.
Sep '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
Corruption in Mexico is hardly a new thing. But it is undoubtedly being fueled by vast amounts of drug money and is probably worse than ever. Not surprisingly, the Mexican government tries to keep a lid on any news about the narco-wars. The last I heard, a Mexican blogger (buried under a mountain of computer security) is about the only reliable source of information from within Mexico itself. And the stuff he's reporting ain't pretty.
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
I don't doubt it, but something seems to have changed significantly for the worse lately, no?
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
Who is this guy? Do you have a link to his site? (Why I'm suddenly obsessed with Mexico when I have a flight to catch at 6:00 am tomorrow I don't know. I think I'm just unwilling to face packing, yet again.)
Jul '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
Claire Berlinski
I don't doubt it, but something seems to have changed significantly for the worse lately, no? · Sep 8 at 9:47pm
What has changed lately is that Mexican drug cartels are battling for control of the cocaine trade - which was formerly funneled through the Bahamas, and which is much more lucrative, shipment-for-shipment, than marijuana.
And the drug cartels are also contending for dominance in the human-smuggling trade.
On top of that, Mexican law-enforcement agents have realized that going over to the cartels and lending them your expertise is preferable to being slaughtered during a night-time home-invasion, along with your family.
Solution?
Jun '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
A reporter I heard often on KFI AM 640 when I was in Los Angeles (can't remember her name now) who covered Campos & Rameon and other south of the border stories, often mentioned that intimidation and threats to local reporters had a lot to do with coverage not getting out - obvious I know, but the problem is much worse than I had ever imagined -- And actually, when searching for some of her reports just now, came across this article from today: "Attacks on Mexican media 'national crisis':
http://www.elpasotimes.com/juarez/ci_16025149
Jul '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
My brother and his wife own a condo on the Baja. Other relatives can hardly wait to go on holiday there, this winter. They all seem to think this breakdown won't affect them (any problem is up in the border areas...)
Anyway, being next to the US is a disaster for this 3rd world country. The US provides a wealthy market for drugs (altho apparently most of the $$ comes from marijuana); there are huge Western world (not just American) bureaucracies whose life depends on the 'war on drugs.' Thus Mexico and Afghanistan and etc. Plus, of course, there is the human transportation biz.
The effect on border Americans is terrible (Pajamas Media has an EXCELLENT doc on ranchers along the border, really terrifying.) The American Feds are as usual being parochial and stupid about the whole uproar. From not supporting their own citizens to not paying attention to a disintegration of law and order in Mexico, well, it's just another example of why the USA should strengthen the 10th amendment, and weaken Washington DC.
Did you know that Canada's British Columbia's main export is drugs (into the USA)???
Edited on Sep 8, 2010 at 10:18pmSep '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
The situation is bad enough that the Wikipedia has two separate entries – "Crime in Mexico" and "Mexican Drug War." Apparently, ordinary day-to-day crime is out of control, too. You would have to be crazy to play tourist in Mexico these days.
Which reminds me...
Claire, if you traveled safely through Mexico alone at 18, you were damn lucky someone didn't cut your throat just to steal your dirty underwear. No, I'm not trying to be lurid. There are areas of Mexico which are that dangerous. You were young, naive and very, very lucky.
As for the Mexican blogger, I will sniff around and see if I can find a link to him.
Edited on Sep 8, 2010 at 11:02pmJul '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
I've tried to point this out (I like these guys), but they just chuckle. Oh well. Is the Baja an oasis of peace?
Sep '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
David Parsons:
As for the Mexican blogger, I will sniff around and see if I can find a link to him.
That didn't take long. The site is "Blog del Narco." You can Google it up easily enough, and you can also find Blog del Narco videos on YouTube. Be wary; some of those videos are supposed to be pretty gruesome.
Edited on Sep 8, 2010 at 11:02pmSep '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
heathermc
I've tried to point this out (I like these guys), but they just chuckle. Oh well. Is the Baja an oasis of peace? · Sep 8 at 10:26pm
Yow. Go to the Wikipedia and look up "Crime in Mexico." Check out the crime maps. I think you should see them for yourself. Baja is not a good place. The northern half of the peninsula is also a "hot spot" in the drug wars.
But, if you are looking for an "exciting" holiday...
Jun '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
I'm surprised that nobody mentioned broken families. When young men from Mexico head to America to make money, from traditional entry-level work, or more nefarious work, they leave families behind. It's a repeat of what's happened to black inner-city families. When families are artificially divided, they fall apart, and then society falls apart.
Sep '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
That pretty well sums up the situation in Mexico.
Feb '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
Here's one of the key things you need to know: plata o plomo. "Silver or lead." As a government official or "anti-narcotics" officer, you are given a choice by the narcos: accept our bribes or our bullets. Join us or be assassinated.
May '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
I spent a week in Cabo San Lucas in July, and it was beautiful, peaceful, friendly, and safe. I was in Puerto Vallarta in 2008 and all the same description applies. Maybe as long as you stay in the resort towns, you don't have a problem.
Jun '10
Re: Who Lost Mexico While I Wasn't Paying Attention?
Kenneth's historical interpretation is spot on, but you won't find his argument supported in any politically correct publication. I recommend Colonial Hispanic America: A History by Charles Edward Chapman (1933) for anyone who might be interested in the roots of the problem. Historically speaking the "border" has been a fiction for 500 years. It's really a march territory about 200 to 500 miles wide between two cultures, and it remains so today. Population pressure has caused the Hispanic culture to surge north mainly for economic reasons. Think about the relationship between Rome and the Germanic tribes along the Rhine-Danube frontier and you have a more accurate interpretation than anything that might be construed as a "border."
As for current conditions, I can speak for Palomas (that would be right across the border from Columbus, NM). I have a colleague who until recently made monthly trips across the border in support of a Christian mission. She has suspended her efforts due to violence. It's only been within the last two years that the trouble has spread to sleepy backwaters like Palomas.