Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jun 2010
Source: Silver City Sun-News (NM)
Copyright: 2010 Silver City Sun-News
Contact: http://www.scsun-news.com/silver_city-contact_us
Website: http://www.scsun-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3901
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Juarez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Mexico
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Felipe+Calderon

WILL TO VICTORY: STOPPING MEXICO'S ONGOING DRUG WAR

There are two drug-related confrontations going on in Mexico: The
government's physical war on narco traffickers and the government's war
of words against the United States.

Last week, Mexican President Felipe Calderon used a nationally
televised address to again blame his country's unrest on the demand
for illegal drugs in the U.S.

His point continues to be well taken. But, in a back-atcha, the
physical war he initiated in 2006 is still being controlled by the bad
guys.

Calderon, his government and his army are not stopping the rampant,
daily killings in several battle-torn cities. While drug cartels kill
each other over turf control of drug corridors, they also employ more
soldiers and use better weapons to rebuff Calderon 's forces.

And people in the U.S. are still paying double-digit billions of
dollars a year for the cartels' products. That's after 40 years and $1
trillion of "Just Say No."

Meanwhile, this is set to be the deadliest month ever in Calderon
physical war. Between June 10-17, more than 200 people were
slaughtered in Mexico. Since the war began in 2006, there have been
more than 23,000 murders.

Calderon has said he believes 95 percent of the murders are cartel
vs. cartel.

Last Wednesday, there were at least 16 murders in Juarez. There have
now been more than 5,300 people slaughtered in Juarez  since 2008.
That's when two drug cartels began fighting for control of drugs in
this border corridor. Thousands of Mexican army soldiers, federal
police and local law enforcers have shown little or no control in
stopping the daily assassinations. The answer to ending this carnage
is obvious, but has not emerged as a fighting force.

Call it "Will of the People."

People here must realize that when they pay for illegal drugs, they
are abetting the killings going on in Mexico.

People in Mexico must have the will to stop the cartels. Gangsters
should not be strong enough to control an entire free country.

It's a "will" thing. Let's hope "Will of the People" will take control
and will end the violence. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake