Luis Horacio Najera first stared death in the face when he was 19. A police officer was lying in the wreckage of his car after a catastrophic accident, and Najera, then a young journalism intern, found himself reluctantly watching as the dying man met his gaze. "In life, there's a spark in the eyes," he said. "In death, I saw, they are like marbles." It was a premonition of the many horrific deaths Najera would be reporting as a journalist on Mexico's violent borders. And one that haunted him through years of death threats while documenting abuses of human rights by drug cartels and Mexican security forces. [continues 607 words]
U.S. Looks on With Alarm at Prospect of a Failed State on Its Doorstep Failed, failing, or losing its grip? Jamaica the sunspot appears to have a dark future if its vicious drug-dealing gangs aren't brought under control, as police and gang members exchange gunfire in Kingston's poor neighbourhoods, and the body count climbs near 50. The fight is over extradition of alleged drug gang leader Christopher "Dudus" Coke, wanted by Washington on drug and arms trafficking charges. He is still at large after three days of gun battles, defended by hundreds of supporters who owe him their livelihoods, and more quietly by politicians who owe him for their votes. [continues 606 words]
AMSTERDAM-In the dim labyrinth of the Red Light district, buxom women pose in glass cubicles like a Victoria's Secret catalogue come to life, drawing appraising glances from buyers and nervous smirks from men too timid to sample the wares. But cheek by jowl with the punters are groups of solid citizens tramping the cobbles en route to historic churches, led by guides dutifully reciting the city's Protestant past. Across town in the bustling Leidseplein, Amsterdam's most famous marijuana spot is lighting up for the evening - the Bulldog Palace's cavernous interior decorated for Christmas with silvery ornaments twinkling through the gloom. [continues 1122 words]
Link Between Opium Profits, Terrorism And Drug Lords Stronger Than Ever An alliance of terrorists and drug smugglers is undermining Afghanistan, as opium profits soar and a bumper crop of poppies is expected by the end of this year, say United Nations experts. "In the south of the country, the vicious circle of drugs funding terrorism, and terrorism supporting the drug lords is stronger than ever," said UN anti-drug chief Antonio Maria Costa. Costa told a meeting of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan yesterday, in the centre-north of the country, progress is being made against trafficking as farmers are "turning their back on drug cultivation." [continues 558 words]
In 2005, Afghan President Hamid Karzai declared war on his country's poppy industry, which fuels a vicious international opium trade and swells the war chest of Taliban forces fighting to regain power. Two years later, Afghan police are plowing up the poppy fields in southern Helmand province, supported by British NATO troops. But as Afghanistan's drug trade continues to generate half the country's income, some observers say a change in tactics is needed in the bid to crush the trade that is endangering both Afghans and NATO forces. [continues 252 words]
