Mexico's Felipe Calderon vows to defeat violent gangs

This article by BBC recounts Felipe Calderon's address to Congress. In a joint session of the US Congress, Calderon voiced his grievances of the Drug War in Mexico and of new American immigration laws.

In order to quell the Drug War, President Calderon called on the US to halt the flow of weapons across the border into Mexico. Calderon stated that increased violence between the drug cartels coincided with the "2004 lapse of a US assault weapons ban" while reminding Congress that "80% of recently seized guns could be traced to the US."

On the issue of immigration, Calderon admired Mexican migrant workers in the U.S. and promised to help secure their rights even though they are abroad. Felipe Calderon also voiced his regret that so many Mexicans leave the country to go north of the border and promised to create more economic opportunities within the country. Calderon also called on Congress to reform the US immigration policy. "The time has come to reduce the causes of migration and turn this into a legal, orderly and secure flow of workers and visitors," Calderon said. President Calderon then voiced his discontent with the recent Arizona immigration laws which he describes as "a terrible idea using racial profiling." President Obama had made immigration reform one of his top priorities, but with recent change over in the seats in Congress, analysts find it unlikely the legislation will hold any weight.

In terms with our Comparative Government class this article is important as it further emphasizes the symbiotic role between Mexico and the US. It demonstrates Mexico's further reliance on the US to help quell the Drug War with Calderon appealing to Congress for help. However, a cleavage between American and Mexican immigration policy is apparent as Calderon voices his obvious discontent for the US policies.

Mexico Extradites Ex-Gov. To US on Drug Charges

This recent New York Times article, Mexico Extradites Ex-Gov. To US on Drug Charges, emphasizes Mexico's bolstered willingness to cooperate with the U.S. Mario Villanueva, a former Mexican state governor, was extradited to the U.S. by Mexico with charges in New York Federal Court of smuggling cocaine into the U.S. "He is the 326th suspect Mexico has extradited to American authorities under Calderon." With America's support of Calderon's counter-cartel offensive with the sound of $1.3 billion under the the Merida Initiative, and Calderon's stronger cooperation with American authorities it is apparent that the drug cartels are now being combated from within their borders and outside of them.

As a compartivist this article is valid to our class because it further insinuates the strong ties Mexico has with the United States. For America to allow foreign law enforcement agents or paramilitary training and funding from another country would be unheard of, but Mexico has accepted this kind of aid from the U.S. The cartel situation seems to have escalated beyond Mexico's reach as Calderon has allowed more and more American intervention over the last few months

Mexico and American Security Co-operation

This recent Economist article, Turning to the gringos for help, describes a stronger security alliance between Mexico and America in an attempt to outs drug cartels from Northern Mexico. It goes with out saying that American involvement in other Latin American countries has made Mexico weary to allow any sort of American intervention. However the constant violence from these cartels has changed these attitudes. Intelligence sharing, American police training to Mexican law officials, tightening of border security, and 1.3 billion dollar in aid are new efforts that are to be implemented soon between the two countries. However, Mexico officials have made it clear that they will not allow American agents in operational roles. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how this new co-operation will combat the drug cartels.

This article is relevant to our class because it is a prime example of the unique relationship that exists between America and Mexico--a relationship that at times is uneasy but completely valid. As well, this article states that some of the aid money sent to Mexico from the US will go to judicial reform. Mexico's judicial system is most likely the weakest branch of government but with the recent reform, Mexico is solidifying itself more and more into a liberal democracy.

Drug War Obscures Recent Headway in Mexico's Stability

photo courtesy of flickr

The drug wars that have been plaguing Mexico since 2006 obscure a falling homicide rate, as addressed in this CNN article: Amid Drug War, Mexico Less Deadly Than a Decade Ago. It is surprising to find that Mexico City's homicide rates are on par with Los Angeles and a third of that for Washington D.C. Yet Americans are more weary than ever to visit Mexico; a blow to tourism, Mexico's third-largest source of foreign income. According to the article "Mexico's homicide rate has fallen steadily from a high in 1997 of 17 per 100,000 people to 14 per 100,000 in 2009." However, dually noted, the article does admit that the drug violence has turned the Pacific coast, and U.S. border regions of Mexico into some of the most deadliest places in the world.

So how exactly has the homicide rate dropped in the presence of an increase in drug violence? Well, land disputes have eased as farmers migrate to cities or abroad leaving the civic unrest of the Zapatista uprisings of the 1990s behind. In light of a decreased homicide rate attributed to a improvement in the Mexican quality of life, Mexico looks more dangerous than ever to tourists with the looming reminder of drug wars.

This article is valid in our comparative government class because it presents an interesting fact: the Mexican quality of life has improved over the decade amidst the drug wars. It also addresses a period of civic unrest in Mexican history, that is the Zapatista uprisings of farmers, which was not surprisingly followed by a change of politics and a new level of legitamacy ushered in by Vicente Fox. Equally as pertinent, Mexico has had a growing middle class and rising education levels and life expectancy. All these things are critical to a democracy; however if these traits are prerequisites to democracy, or rather the outcomes of democracy is debatable.