World Watch
September 4, 2009 5:45 PM

Mexico's Brutal Turf War

By
Susana Seijas
Topics
World Watch
(AP Photo)
This was written by CBS News producer Susana Seijas in Mexico City

For Mexicans living in Ciudad Juarez, this week's massacre at the rehab center could've been just another violent day in Mexico's deadliest city.

But this latest killing spree has jolted Juarez, recently dubbed "Mexico's murder capital."

Wednesday's rampage on a drug rehab center claimed the lives of 18 men shot down by an armed commando with AK-47s. The multiple homicides are reported to have taken place in a matter of 10 to 15 minutes.

The killings were so brazen, that after the execution-style killings, the drug rehab walls were bathed in blood.

Sadly, the dead are just another statistic to add to the ever growing number of Mexicans killed in Juarez this year. So far there have been around 1,500 people killed in this border city just across from El Paso, Texas.

The terrifying number of people killed in Juarez tells the story of a brutal turf war between the Juarez and Sinaloa drug cartels. These powerful cartels are not only fighting for control of trade routes into the U.S., the largest market for drugs in the world, but for an ever increasing market share of Mexicans now consuming drugs.

Read Angela Kocherga's Border Blog

The rehab killings happened a few hours after President Felipe Calderon gave his yearly state of the nation address, when he reiterated the importance of his administration's war on drugs.

That same day, back in Calder?n's home state of Michoac?n, Jos? Manuel Revueltas, the Michoac?n deputy minister for Public Security was gunned down in a drive-by shooting just outside the building of the state Public Security Ministry. Revuelta's two bodyguards and a bystander were also killed in the attack.

But why were these men killed at the "El Aliviane" drug rehab center? Patricia Gonz?lez, the Chihuahua State prosecutor, where Juarez is located, said the men were most likely killed by rivals. Gonzalez also said that drug rehab centers are often used by drug cartel members as hide-outs from rival gangs.

Up to now, there is no evidence that the 18 killed were members of a cartel. This did not stop Mexican headlines, such as ones found in today's "La Prensa" from declaring: "Eran narquitos," or "They were little narcos."

A more heavily substantiated article in Friday's reports that the massacre at the rehab center "is part of a final push by one drug cartel to finish off another."

Drug violence in Juarez has reached such levels that President Felipe Calder?n sent in 4, 500 troops to Juarez this year alone as part of his administration's military surge to keep law and order in Juarez's lawless streets.

Since Calder?n took office in December 2006, more than 13, 000 people have been killed in drug-related violence across Mexico. Although Calder?n's approval ratings are high (68 percent according to the daily Reforma) many here are asking whether his war on drugs is working.

Add a Comment
by pensacola8-2009 September 6, 2009 8:42 AM EDT
The businessmen, like Al Capone, in the 1930's prospered well because they only sold things that were illegal...that is where the money was - thanks to prohibition.

Today, businessmen repeated the same feat and do the same thing.

If coffee was illegal, there would be businessmen selling it and fighting over turf to control sales and profit.

If tobacco was illegal, there would be busissmen selling it and fighting over turf to control sales and profit.

If coca-cola and pepsi were illegal......

Businessmen only prosper when there are illegal things to sell, because Americans love to express their defiance of authority and use their money to do it.
Reply to this comment
by woeisme1 September 5, 2009 7:48 PM EDT
Mexico's brutal turf wars are becoming America's brutal turf invasions. Their violence increasingly is spilling over onto American soil.

Our border security has been weak for ages. We are beginning the reap the consequences of that in a very dangerous way.
Reply to this comment
by Antinomian September 5, 2009 7:12 AM EDT
Debaters debate the two wars as if Nixon?s civil war on Woodstock Nation didn?t yet run amok. One need not travel to China to find indigenous cultures lacking human rights or to Cuba for political prisoners. America leads the world in percentile behind bars, thanks to ongoing persecution of hippies, radicals, and non-whites under banner of the war on drugs. If we?re all about spreading liberty abroad, then why mix the message at home? Peace on the home front would enhance global credibility.

The drug czar?s Rx for prison fodder costs dearly, as lives are flushed down expensive tubes. My shaman?s second opinion is that psychoactive plants are God?s gift. God didn?t screw up. Canadian Marc Emery sold seeds that enable American farmers to outcompete cartels with superior domestic herb. He is being extradited to prison, for doing what government wishes it could do, reduce demand for Mexican.

The constitutionality of the CSA (Controlled Substances Act of 1970) derives from an interstate commerce clause. Only by this authority does it reincarnate Al Capone, endanger homeland security, and throw good money after bad. Official policy is to eradicate, not tax, the number-one cash crop in the land. America rejected prohibition, but it?s back. Apparently, SWAT teams don?t need no stinking amendment.

Nixon promised that the Schafer Commission would support the criminalization of his enemies, but it didn?t. No matter, the witch-hunt was on. No amendments can assure due process under an anti-science law without due process itself. Psychology hailed the breakthrough potential of LSD, until the CSA halted all research and pronounced that marijuana has no medical use, period.

The RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993) allows Native American Church members to eat peyote, which functions like LSD. Americans shouldn?t need a specific church membership to obtain their birthright freedom of religion. Denial of entheogen sacrament to any American, for mediation of communion with his or her maker, precludes free exercise of religious liberty.

Freedom of speech presupposes freedom of thought. The Constitution doesn?t enumerate any governmental power to embargo diverse states of mind. How and when did government usurp this power to coerce conformity? The Mayflower sailed to escape coerced conformity. Legislators who would limit cognitive liberty lack jurisdiction.

Common-law must hold that adults own their bodies. The Founding Fathers decreed that the right to the pursuit of happiness is inalienable. Socrates said to know your self. Mortal lawmakers should not presume to thwart the intelligent design that molecular keys unlock spiritual doors. Persons who appreciate their own free choice of path in life should tolerate seekers? self-exploration.

Simple majorities in each house could repeal the CSA. The books have ample law without it. The usual caveats remain in effect. You are liable for damages when you screw up. Strong medicine requires prescription. Employees can be fired for poor job performance. No harm, no foul; and no excuse, either. Replace the war on drugs with a frugal, constitutional, science-based drugs policy.
Reply to this comment
by ToolMangler1 September 5, 2009 11:15 AM EDT
My but you are a 'prolific' poster, aren't you!
I found 227 google hits for your first three sentences. You seem to be operation under the name of Bill Harris as well as Antinomian. you could save us time by just telling us that you are a spammer

(#1 | Bill Harris on August 26 2009 07:43:53)
http://www.tothecenter.com/news.php?readmore=11007
by ToolMangler1 September 5, 2009 11:16 AM EDT
operation=operating
.

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