Juarez more dangerous than Iraq

Mexico, D.F. - General Barry McCaffrey, former drug czar of the USA, said, “The drug war in Juarez is immensely more dangerous than the war in Iraq or in Kabul.”

Mexican Senator Carlos Navarrete, at a press conference in Morelia, said “There will be no foreign military or police in any part of Mexico. What we need to talk about is cooperation and a bi-national plan and funds to confront social problems in Mexico”, said Senator Navarrete, in reference to the bi-national conference between Mexico and the United States.

The military and police forces have reduced gang activity in Leon by 60% according to the Secretary of Public Security, Maria Guadalupe Anguiano-Sanchez. “Security police have inhibited the formation of gangs and we are going to continue with our programs’, said Anguiano.

Authorities are alarmed at growing cocaine use in the state. The failing economy, reduced construction and reduced personal income are causes for worry about the increased use of drugs. It is most alarming that 50% of the users are between 10 and 14 years old. Roughly 40% of the users are between 10 and 19 years of age.

(The writer makes no distinction between marijuana and cocaine use in the percentages listed above.)

MEXICO-D.F.-The second high level meeting between Mexico and the USA commenced today to further cooperation between both countries in the battle against organized crime. The Secretaries of State, of Mexico and the USA-Hilary Clinton, met today. The objective of these talks is to attack the structure of organized crime, to strengthen agencies to combat crime, to further social programs and to help border communities in the 21st century.

In the last few months, there have been violent incidents on both sides of the border. The meeting will review the Merida Initiative, the transfer of equipment to the police and military and to prepare for the meeting between Presidents Obama and Calderon next May where other issues will be discussed.

The proposition that Mexico is a failed state is exaggerated according to Shelly Shetty, the Director of National Risks of Fitch Ratings. At a press conference in Mexico City, Shetty confirmed that Mexico has working political institutions and a stable faultless economy. “Clearly, Mexico is not a failed state”, said Shetty.

(The very first entry in the comments section under this article is “Ja Ja Ja”. Needs no interpretation).

Mexican Senator Malio Fabio Beltrones, of the PRI, says that the Merida Initiative has exhausted it effects. “I am more convinced than ever that we have lost our fear and we need to leave behind the old taboos of saying “no” to cooperation”. Nevertheless, I admit that the results, as of today, are totally insufficient and we will need to move ahead with intelligence to combat crime”.

For this reason Beltrones voted to terminate the initiative and emphasized that international problems like the battle against organized crime are caused by both governments. (USA and Mexico)

DHS Secretary, Mexican Counterparts Sign Arrangements to Bolster Bilateral Border and Aviation Security

On Tuesday, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano joined with Mexican Interior Secretary Fernando Francisco Gómez-Mont to sign two arrangements to bolster aviation and border security between the United States and Mexico at the Mérida U.S.-Mexico High Level Consultative Group meeting, further expanding ongoing cooperative efforts to crack down on violent drug cartels and combat terrorism while facilitating the secure and efficient flow of legitimate travel and trade.

“Our close relationship with the Mexican government continues to grow stronger as we work together to find new ways to crack down on violent drug cartels and combat terrorism,” said Napolitano. “The arrangements signed today further increase the capabilities of the United States and Mexico to protect both sides of the border from transnational criminals and terrorists that threaten the safety of both of our nations.”

The first arrangement formally establishes the Joint Security Program for Travelers (JSP), which enhances information sharing and best practices between the U.S. and Mexico regarding the identification of potential terrorists or other dangerous criminals traveling by air through Mexico City International Airport and builds a foundation for future JSP expansion to additional Mexican airports - bolstering both nations’ abilities to thwart acts of terrorism and protect against travel document fraud.

The second arrangement, signed with both Secretary Gómez-Mont and Secretary of Public Safety Genaro García Luna, will enable DHS to electronically share some criminal history information with Mexican law enforcement about Mexican nationals who are being repatriated from the U.S. and who have been convicted of certain felonies in the U.S. - providing the seamless transmission of vital security information in order to ensure the safety and security of citizens of both countries.

The agreements build on numerous bilateral agreements and declarations of cooperation between Secretary Napolitano and her Mexican counterparts over the past year.

Napolitano was in Mexico City as part of the U.S. delegation to the Mérida U.S.-Mexico High Level Consultative Group meeting on Tuesday.

http://www.fedagent.com/current_e-report.php#415

More from NAFBPO

Deaths of journalists in Mexico are alarming

The United Nations expressed concern over the deaths of journalists in 30 nations, including Mexico. Mexico ranks third in the number of journalist murders. Murders are just the “tip of the iceberg” among the threats to reporters in Mexico. [Editor’s note: The article didn’t mention who is quoted.]

Of the 227 journalists assassinated around the world in 2006, 31 died in Latin America and 15 in Mexico, according to UNESCO. Most of them did not die in war but in nations where news about narcotics traffic, human rights violations and public corruption carry a high risk of death. “In the majority of these cases, no one was brought to justice”, according to the study by UNESCO.

In 2008 to 2009[,] UNESCO documented the murders of 125 journalists. In 2006-2007 there were 122 murders of reporters. Mexico remains third in the world in the number of journalists murdered at 15.

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Cambio de Michoacán (Morelia, Michoacán) 3-24-10

Only 7.7% of Michoacános become professionals

Only 7.7% of Michoacán students of some 18% who enroll in higher education to enter into the professional fields ever become professionals. The bad economy and unfavorable pubic opinion of the professions are the primary causes of dropping out of higher levels of education.

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Correo (Guanajuato) 3-24-10

Firearms and (drug) consumption cause violence

Hilary Clinton recognized that the USA contributes to Mexico’s problems and agreed to increase cooperation and strengthen the Merida Initiative.

Mexico and the United States agreed to enact a pilot program, in Tijuana-San Diego and in Cd. Juarez-El Paso, to fight organized crime on the border for which the United States is responsible, acknowledged Hilary Clinton.

“We know that the demand for drugs is the major cause of the illegal drug business and that arms bought in the United States are used in drug violence[,]” acknowledged Clinton.

She affirmed the USA’s support of Mexico in its fight against organized crime and announced a bi-national program against drug use, arms traffic, and money laundering and to give attention to communities affected by violence.

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Strengthen Airport Security

The governments of Mexico and the United States agreed to better identify air passengers between the USA and Mexico. People and criminals using false or altered documents present a high risk to other passengers.

In a “Memorandum of Cooperation” the governments agreed to exchange information concerning the repatriation of Mexicans to Mexico. The memorandum establishes standards of proof of identity and authorizes the electronic transfer of criminal history of those who were sentenced in the United States for serious crimes who are being returned to Mexico.

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Thirty Businesses close in Celaya

Thirty businesses located in four shopping centers have closed in the last 6 months in Celaya, Guanajuato. The economic crisis has caused big losses throughout the business community. Clothing stores, movie houses, eating establishments, bars and boutiques have closed due to the depressed economy.

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Mexicans abroad will be encouraged to vote

The governor of Guanajuato has proposed an initiative that would better allow Mexicans living abroad to vote in Mexican elections.

The low voter turnout of Mexicans living abroad in 2006 prompted the efforts to get more Mexicans living abroad to participate in Mexican elections. More resources will be employed to encourage those Mexicans to vote while living outside Mexico.

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Diario de Juarez (Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua)

Starting in April a prescription will be required

“Antibiotics will not be sold without a prescription in Mexico beginning in April”, according to Daniel Goni, the President of the Mexican Red Cross. “No more self-medication and no more harm to Mexicans”, said Goni.

(Editor’s Note: This is significant in that, historically, Mexico has not required prescriptions for non-narcotic drugs. Anyone in Mexico could buy, over-the-counter, whatever prescription strength medication he thought was needed at any pharmacy. However, pharmacists could legally diagnose and write prescriptions. Consequently, few poor Mexicans with “minor” ailments ever saw a qualified doctor of medicine. The article did not address whether pharmacists may legally write prescriptions for antibiotics.)

http://m3report.wordpress.com/

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