Blog dedicated to reporting on Mexican drug cartels
on the border line between the US and Mexico
.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

At what moment did our country become what it is today?

Borderland Beat 


 La Jornada: By Simón Vargas Aguilar

At what moment did our country become what it is today? Why has organized crime acquired such power and influence, factors that have permitted it to become the law and the authority in some regions? Why has violence increased exponentially over the last years, reaching levels of sadism and cruelty never before seen?

Why has this savagery succeeded in robbing us of public places, changing our lives, and taking our loved ones from us? When exactly did the youth decide to follow the path of organized crime to live the fast life and die early? Why is our society eroding so rapidly?


Siddharta Guatama said: “If you want to know the past, look to the present, which is its result. If you want to know the future, look to the present, which is its cause.”

Our present country is the summation of a great number of errors and poor decisions made over the course of our history. This history has almost always been—and likely, will continue to be—determined by the interests of certain developed countries, international organizations, and those who unlawfully hold extensive resources. 

And although between the aforementioned forces some exceptions exist, promoting alternative agendas, the hegemony and the power of the majority is such that the development and well-being of our society has rarely been their priority.

Today, our outlook is dominated by poverty, inequality, social exclusion, lack of opportunity, corruption, impunity, weak institutions, and meager economic growth. Thanks to these variables, the violence associated with organized crime and drug trafficking found favorable footholds to flourish and obtain million-dollar earnings at the cost of the destruction of forward-looking perspectives and the development of the entire country.




The family ceased to be the cornerstone of society, social ties became increasingly fragile, and our values—which once distinguished us in the world—were replaced by anti-values such as hatred, intolerance, and individualism.

In this sense, violence in all its forms has become part of our lives: the drug-trafficking cartels fight bloody battles amongst themselves to control territories. A report from Stratfor [security analysis firm in the U.S.] published last October predicted that during the last trimester of the year violence would increase due to this phenomenon. Radical groups have emerged and selected violence and confrontation to express their dissatisfaction, and have already communicated that their force will grow with increasingly aggressive groups.

Our children practice bullying in school, which has already taken several lives. Orphans of drug trafficking harbor a deep resentment towards those hitmen who, following orders on threat of death themselves, ended the lives of their families. Many of this second generation, motivated by vengeance and a lack of other opportunities, themselves become assassins, which feeds the vicious circle of violence.

At the same time, we have also seen how demonstrations and protests have increased, and how some demonstrators have discharged their ire and frustration against police
who safeguard a partial, selective, and deliberate “state of law.” This status quo permits those who have misappropriated political, economic, social, and religious power to continue to make decisions that directly affect the people, who then form their own police forces.

The Polish philosopher and sociologist Zygmunt Brauman states in his book Collateral Damage: Social Inequalities in a Global Age:


“When an electric circuit is overloaded the first part to burn is the fuse… The effectiveness and the duration of the entire circuit—and as a consequence, the electricity that it is capable of absorbing and the work that it is capable of performing—cannot be greater than the resistance of the fuse. Once the fuse blows, the entire circuit fails.”
Today Mexicans—grandmothers, mothers, fathers, brothers, sons—all those who strive to stoically continue the daily fight to make a living and satisfy needs through sacrifice, are facing corruption, manipulation, repression, and violence. We citizens, who seek a better future for coming generations but find neither understanding nor support from the majority of our government, are that fuse which is at the overloaded point of failure

34 comments:

  1. Ok, this is only the journalists view, because you have to go to real life or the streets in order to see what is real in Mexico or you have to apply some knowledge in applied statistics.

    1) Mexico has more than 100 million of people.
    2)Crimes only account to .01% yearly of total population, that means that
    only approximately happens to 100,000 people yearly, and probably I am put it in a little higher.
    3) Media coverage get it exarcerbated or at least social networks overreact to the small numbers that real street are giving in numbers.
    4) People are more afraid to the small numbers than real threats like cancer or diabetes.
    5)Most of the crimes happens to people who are engaged on ilicit trades or are the same gang members who have been killed, and that means that probability still is lower regarding drug related crimes. But how can I convince people who are already afraid of the small numbers, same happens with the people who won,t get in a airplane because media have had bad news about the airplane crashes.
    6)Mexico is still a great country and is really not true that Mexico is a failed state, because small numbers are the ones who keep people still living in a great and rich country.

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    Replies
    1. A public service announcment brought to you by the Mexican Tourism Board where our saying is, while visiting our beautiful beaches, bury your head in the sand to avoid seeing the blatant human rights violations and gross social inequality.

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    2. Welcome To Mexico...If you get extorted, kidnapped, tortured, raped & murdered then we the government of Mexico cannot do anything since you were involved with the drug gangs...Welcome To Mexico.

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  2. Great essay, DD. Wisely, it does not argue that this or that mistake was the reason that Mexico is so screwed up today. If anything, Mexico has always behaved as if it was an occupied country, and the economic elite has always acted as an occupying force. This has gone on for centuries, despite several revolutions intended to impose justice and equality. Curiously, after every single revolution or war, the same families and interest groups turn out to be in power once again. And once again, they cause and finance the next revolution. Except maybe this time, with the comunitarios actually taking power into their own hands.

    The best part of this essay is that it shows that some writers are asking the difficult questions, not just repeating this or that argument in support of an indefensible political, ideological or economic position. -- un vato

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    Replies
    1. Vato said despite several revolutions!!! Cato you are an idiot who needs a little education.

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  3. That's an easy one, I'll tell you when. When the started fuckin with the people that's when. I'm talking about the hard working, honest people by the way.

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  4. I hate to say it but organize crime witch its called its gotten its fame from no jobs and politicians stealing all the money that should be going to poor areas of all the world not just mexico its also USA then you hear druglords living big and when there caught they have billions and home ad even in jail they still run shit its impressive it feels good to provide for youre parents and poor people helping them out when they cant pay for there groceries at a store or giving a job to someone who don't have nothing to eat or live the government don't care when youre hungry or broke but when you make money the other way its a problem cause YOU DONT PAY FCK TAXES but liquor and pain meds its legal cause you pay taxes to the government !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. Mexico's people only hope is that the US takes it over

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    1. Fuck you and your 4th Reich, our country has been taken over by central bankers did you forget about the Fast & Furious scandal where our government supplied weapons to the cartel? No you probably don't cause your ass brainwashed ..
      PS its funny how admins can accept ur comment for a takeover of a country but can't accept mine

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  6. Buggs, that flag at the top of the article, with the bullet holes in it and "Borderland Beat" written askew, looks great. You should figure out a way to use it.

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  7. Ill tell you when all this shit started and you think bout afterwards when the fuckin zetas came to life their have always been cartels but you were able to travel to Mexico but the fuckin zetas fucked everything up tormenting and bringing bloodshed and violence to Mexico. Get rid of the zetas .

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  8. GUN CONTROL encourages unlimited crime by hardened criminals and corrupt police.

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    Replies
    1. Which is why Canada is awash with unlimited crime by hardened criminals and corrupt police??

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    2. Gun control? Canada? Seriously. We're the latest "Wall Street" for nasty weapons, guns- legal & otherwise-we make land mines too! We're in bed with Israel. That said, we are also precious & polite. It's a Colonial affliction, smiling & killing at the same time. We are, after all is said & done, we are the red-headed step children of monarchy. Tiramos la piedra y escondimos la mano. Courtsey out....

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  9. @ 11:45 am #5 Incorrect many poor hard working innocent people in mexico become victims . #3 What media coverage? You mean covering up atrocities in Mexico. Also, the nature and type of horrendous crimes. Your whole post answers the question how Mexico has degenerated into what it is today ( Denial & apethy) BB is the best media outlet and voice for people in Mexico who have no voice. And for the victims of the war

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  10. IMO..when the world recession took hold of the developing nations around 2002..Mexico and the rest of nations of her economic composition (i.e. Argentina, Turkey, Honduras..etc.) could not provide paying jobs for their living populations in an effective manner..Why? All the manufacturing went to our colossus powerhouse producer-China..Higher unemployment, tighter border security, the good ol' U.S. of A not even itself providing quality jobs, and a screwed up international monetary system (i.e. IMF-which has been Mexico's nemesis for a long a$$ time!) could foster desperate choices for income regardless of the cost..just my opinion of course...

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  11. This should happened years ago when salinas de gortary was mexicos president and fucked up the country , the only reason because this did not happen was that people started comming to the usa by the thounsands as a way out but now there is not too many jobs in the usa anymore the sucks and the people south of the border have whatever to survive if that means to get into organized crime thats what some are going to do , in a country so corrupted like mexicos where governments institutions dont work its very easy for organized crime to take over

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  12. I was thinking of going to Somalia but I feel that I will get a better Life Threatning Experience going to Mexico..Here I come Mexico.

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  13. EVERYTHING WENT BAD WHEN AMADO CARILLO FUENTES DIED!!!! That's when chapo guzman got greedy and wanted it all, he iz the one to blame for mexicos violence..

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    Replies
    1. that is very true what you were saying. In the 80's and 90's mexico was a very safe and a tourist attraction. I remember in those days especially juarezwas a true party town. Any time of the day and night things were always safe.

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  14. at what moment did mexico, heck i ask the same thing about the usa.

    http://www.krgv.com/news/men-accused-of-palmhurst-shooting-arraigned
    PALMHURST -- Three Mexican nationals arrested in connection with a Palmhurst shooting went before a judge Friday. Gilberto De Jesus Lopez-Valdez is facing capital murder charges. He is accused of trying to kill Ivan De Jesus-Garcia on Wednesday.

    Garcia is now at a local hospital.

    Jose Antonio Lepe and Jose Manuel Guerra, Jr. are charged with engaging in organized crime. Guerra is charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle. All three men are charged with cocaine possession.

    Palmhurst Police Chief Michael Vela and his officers continue to investigate the crime, which spans three different scenes. All three scenes are near the Bryan Road area.

    Police describe the crime as a "rolling shoot-out". The men were reportedly armed with semi-automatic handguns. Police say the conflict was over more than 200 pounds of marijuana.

    Chief Vela says, "You don't want to believe that it happened in your city...but it does occur."

    State Troopers, Sheriff's Deputies, along with Alton and Mission Police, and the Texas Rangers are assisting in the investigation. The murder is the first ever for the city. Chief Vela speculates that the conflict arose as one group tried to steal the load of drugs from the other.

    One man was killed in the gunbattle. Police say he was in the vehicle with the three other men. Authorities are still in the process of notifying his next of kin.

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  15. It got like this when that midgit tried to take over mexico

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  16. The first comment pretty close to right. I am going back to Mexico for Christmas 1st time in five years. God Bless the great people of Mexico

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  17. Since 1994 US taxpayers have paid $4 billion a year to dump artificially cheap corn onto Mexican markets, through taxpayer subsidies of American agribusiness to forcibly sell US corn at prices far below market prices and below production costs. These 20 years of US taxpayer subsidies have ruined the finances an estimated 7 million Mexicans in rural farm communities, forcing former farm families into "other activities", including illegal immigration to the USA and narco-trafficante activities.

    Americans critical of Mexico and the violence should look to the results of 2 decades of their own government policies, and over $70 billion in taxpayer dollars spent to ruin Mexican farmers to benefit ADM, Cargill, et al.

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  18. Mix one part pre-Columbian society in decline, awash in human sacrifices (the Aztecs or Mexícas) with one part European society, leading the attack on the modern world, (Spain) and you get Mexico.

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  19. 4th reich?? uhh...okay..take your meds man..

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    Replies
    1. Obama vs Hitler, look it up on YouTube you'll be surprised to see the comparison

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    2. 10:43 hitler killed about 6 million Jews,a few million russians and quite a few germans died for him.
      Stalin killed about 60 million Russians suspected of not wanting him,in peace time.
      There were worse people than hitler,like international bankers,including American,supporting and financing the 3rd Reich before the war and during the war,they did not care one fucking bit about the allied soldiers,including American soldiers.
      they only cared about their business,make money...
      These beastly devils are still at work, sticking it to friend and foe under the bloated pretense of "globalization",and they still don't get widely exposure.
      We are too busy accusing and defending al chapo...grow up people!
      PS I hate you!

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  20. @1.33 am

    very true, this year more than 99.9% of Mexicans(99,900,000) won't get kidnapped or tortured or murdered by drug related criminals, according to applied statistics, but still people cannot think this way because terror is what commands their decisions, same with Americans regarding Muslims in Manhattan.

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  21. @ December 1, 2013 at 5:38 AM

    You will of course be escorted by the paisano caravan?

    http://justiceinmexico.org/2011/12/23/holiday-security-issues-paisano-caravan-sees-350-safely-from-texas-to-queretaro-christmas-themed-extortion-and-theft/

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  22. "very true, this year more than 99.9% of Mexicans(99,900,000) won't get kidnapped or tortured or murdered by drug related criminals, according to applied statistics, but still people cannot think this way because terror is what commands their decisions"

    the PROBLEM is that the perpetrators of these crimes are not being apprehended. So if they kidnap your neighbor, but you are safe, then statisitically you are OK, right? Not really - when you know those same kidnappers will be coming back next week for someone else.

    and besides, a huge number of people in Mexico are being subjected to extortion demands. not just a few - many businesses (large and small) are paying into the cartels pockets now. so the argument that only a small percent of the population is affected in not valid.

    the real problem now is that not only has Mexico failed to get crime and cartels under real control, but the world itself has become amoral. the whole world has lost its inherent sense of right and wrong. that combination of factors cant be a good thing.

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  23. I like the first comment. Those figures are very true. And it is a shame people are not good at math naturally. Mexico is way safer than mid east.

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  24. Mexico is A SHIT HOLE! ......Period

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  25. "Thieves" have made off with a truck in Mexico carrying a dangerous radioactive material used in medical treatments, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the Vienna-based UN nuclear body, didn't give details on how much of the radioactive source, cobalt-60, was in the truck at the time. Cobalt-60 can potentially also be used to make a so-called "dirty bomb," where conventional explosives are used to disperse radiation from a radioactive source." CBC CANADA
    http://www.cbc.ca:80/m/touch/news/story/1.2450239

    ReplyDelete

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