| | |  Editorials | Opinions | October 2008 
Life in the Midst of a Drug War
 Josie Whittle - NOUSE
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 |  | The expression ‘war on drugs’ is a familiar one used by tough-talking politicians. For Mexicans however, a government-led crack down on the drugs trade has meant that this is now a terrifying reality. |  | | | |
“It is as if we are living in a horror film when we see the violence,” says Monica, 26, who lives in Tijuana, a city on the Mexico/United States border. It is a place infamous as a drug smuggling hot spot.
“We had thought that those who stayed out of ‘these things’ were safe but now it is not the case. People are cautious about going out at night; young people feel it is better to meet in houses.”
The expression ‘war on drugs’ is a familiar one used by tough-talking politicians. For Mexicans however, a government-led crack down on the drugs trade has meant that this is now a terrifying reality.
Mexico acts as the gateway between Central and South America and the biggest consumer of their drug production - the United States. The production and distribution of narcotics is controlled by several major drug trafficking organisations, or cartels. They operate in different areas of the country, which exercise huge amounts of power and influence over Mexican society.
Until as recently as the late 1990s the Government and cartels had a very close relationship, which saw the Government involved in agreements regarding the trafficking and distribution of drugs across Mexico and the U.S. However, the elections in 2000 saw Mexicans vote in President Vicente Fox who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. The pacts, deals and agreements between government and cartels were broken.
The current Mexican President, Calderon, launched the battle against the drug cartels in 2006. The initiative has involved sending 24,000 soldiers and federal police to exercise control in the areas where rival cartels are particularly powerful. However, this has had an adverse effect on citizens living in these regions. Albert, 29, also lives in Tijuana. “I’m feeling extremely insecure. Seeing the Mexican Army in the streets in Tijuana makes me feel like we’re in a state of war”.
Although the fighting has been between the cartels and the authorities, recent actions by the gangs seem to be deliberately endangering civilians. In Moreila grenades were thrown into a crowd celebrating Independence Day. Bodies have been found showing signs of torture and with warning notes attached to them. Human heads have been thrown onto a crowded dance floor in Uruapan. Such terror tactics are targeted at intimidating civilians, involving them in the conflict.
“Mexicans want a change of plan,” Monica says about the Government’s strategy. The peaceful protests and marches that have taken place across Mexico are a testament to this, with demonstrators clad in white taking to the streets to voice their desire for an end to the incessant killings.
Albert expressed his frustration with the government. “I grew up with the old regime and like most Mexicans who wanted a change, supported the new government. They have been more than eight years in the Executive and there are no changes; the political class is corrupted to the bone. I can tell you that the situation is even worse”. |
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