THE DRUG WARS IN THE DRUG WARS IN MEXICOMEXICO

CJ DalpozzoCJ DalpozzoHaley BaldwinHaley Baldwin

Danielle BrennanDanielle BrennanKevin ListKevin List

THE SITUATION IN MEXICOTHE SITUATION IN MEXICO

How and when did the conflict get so out How and when did the conflict get so out of control?of control?

What drug cartels are involved?What drug cartels are involved?What area of the country is affected the What area of the country is affected the

most?most?What effect is this having on society?What effect is this having on society?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7955031.stm

The Progression of ViolenceThe Progression of Violence

Drug cartels have always existed in MexicoDrug cartels have always existed in Mexico In the 1990s, 2 Columbian drug cartels were In the 1990s, 2 Columbian drug cartels were

shut down, so trafficking increased in Mexicoshut down, so trafficking increased in Mexico Florida cocaine route was shut down, resulting in Florida cocaine route was shut down, resulting in

more cocaine smuggling through Mexicomore cocaine smuggling through Mexico Since then, violence has increased dramatically Since then, violence has increased dramatically

as Mexican drug lords have gained total power as Mexican drug lords have gained total power over the international drug tradeover the international drug trade

The Main Cartels:The Main Cartels:

Tijuana-Gulf Alliance

Tijuana Cartel

Gulf Cartel

“The Federation”

Sinaloa Cartel

Juarez Cartel

VS.

Tijuana-Gulf Tijuana-Gulf AllianceAlliance

Tijuana CartelTijuana Cartel Leaders: Arellano Felix brothersLeaders: Arellano Felix brothers Present in 15 statesPresent in 15 states Most affected areas: Tijuana, Mexicali, Tecate, and Ensenada in Most affected areas: Tijuana, Mexicali, Tecate, and Ensenada in

Baja CaliforniaBaja California Gulf CartelGulf Cartel

Leader: various groups fighting for powerLeader: various groups fighting for power Present in 13 statesPresent in 13 states Main areas of control: Southern Texas and Gulf of MexicoMain areas of control: Southern Texas and Gulf of Mexico Main centers: Nuevo Laredo, Miguel Alemán, Reynosa, Matamoros, Main centers: Nuevo Laredo, Miguel Alemán, Reynosa, Matamoros,

Monterrey and Morelia. Monterrey and Morelia.

The FederationThe Federation

SinaloaSinaloa Leader: Joaquin Loera, Leader: Joaquin Loera, Joaquin GuzmanJoaquin Guzman Present in 17 statesPresent in 17 states Main areas of involvement: Sinaloa, Mexico City, Tepic, Toluca, Main areas of involvement: Sinaloa, Mexico City, Tepic, Toluca,

CuautitlanCuautitlan JuarezJuarez

Leader: Vicente Carrillo Fuentes Leader: Vicente Carrillo Fuentes Present in 21 states (largest cartel)Present in 21 states (largest cartel) Important areas of control: Culiacán, Monterrey, Mexico City, Important areas of control: Culiacán, Monterrey, Mexico City,

Guadalajara, Cuernavaca, Cancún, and much of the state of Guadalajara, Cuernavaca, Cancún, and much of the state of Chihuahua. Chihuahua.

The Battle for JuarezThe Battle for Juarez

Juarez is currently the most dangerous Juarez is currently the most dangerous city in Mexicocity in Mexico

Because of its strategic location on US-Because of its strategic location on US-Mexican borders, the two alliances are Mexican borders, the two alliances are fighting for control over the cityfighting for control over the city

Fighting has gotten so bad that even allied Fighting has gotten so bad that even allied cartels have begun to fight against one cartels have begun to fight against one another for control of the cityanother for control of the city

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7959247.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7959247.stm

STATISTICS• 90% of the cocaine entering the US passes through Mexico,

and of that 90%, 70% passes through Juarez• In the past, there were only 20-30 active cops in Juarez for

a population of 1.5 million• 11 cops were assassinated this past year• 200 others have been killed in crossfire battles• Now, 600,000 Mexican military and police are fighting

against the major drug cartels• The cartels have a total of 2,200 grenades and power rifles,

and 90% of these are purchased in the US

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7959247.stm

How the War Has Begun to Affect Society

• Very public acts of violence• Ten decapitated soldiers found with note

– “For every one of mine you kill, we will kill ten.”• Decapitated man found hanging from a bridge, head found in Town

Square• Last year, more than 6,300 people were killed, which is more than

double the year before• Expanding into human smuggling, extortion, and kidnapping a

kidnapping capital of the world• Juarez’s mayor moved his family to Texas• Police chief of Juarez forced to resign

– Cartels said they would kill a cop every hour for 48 hours until her resigned, so he did so after 2 murders

– http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4836946n

Mexican Media Coverage on Mexican Media Coverage on the Drug Warsthe Drug Wars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE1h2ehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE1h2eKG1V8KG1V8

The Sinaloa organization, based in The Sinaloa organization, based in Sinaloa State in northwest Mexico, is one Sinaloa State in northwest Mexico, is one of the oldest cartels and has been blamed of the oldest cartels and has been blamed for a large share of violence in the for a large share of violence in the country. country.

The cartel’s leader, Joaquin Shorty The cartel’s leader, Joaquin Shorty Guzman, is one of Mexico’s most wanted.Guzman, is one of Mexico’s most wanted.

Listed in Forbes magazine on the latest Listed in Forbes magazine on the latest list of the world’s billionaires.list of the world’s billionaires.

His estimated fortune is one billion His estimated fortune is one billion dollarsdollars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9yuXhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9yuX4UR2gA4UR2gA

Mexican Drug cartels in the USMexican Drug cartels in the US

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Sinaloan RegionSinaloan RegionEl DebateEl Debate

A Mexican newspaper circulated throughout the Sinaloan A Mexican newspaper circulated throughout the Sinaloan cartel regioncartel region

Focuses on political and economic newsFocuses on political and economic news However, there was little to no mention of actual drug However, there was little to no mention of actual drug

cartels and drug leaders that were directly connected to cartels and drug leaders that were directly connected to crimes coveredcrimes covered

Articles related to drug crimes were very brief, Articles related to drug crimes were very brief, ambiguous, and provided very limited informationambiguous, and provided very limited information Example: “The Army Secures 4 Tons of Marijuana”Example: “The Army Secures 4 Tons of Marijuana” Huge drug bust occurred in Juarez, but no names or cartels are Huge drug bust occurred in Juarez, but no names or cartels are

mentioned and the reporter does not go in depth about the drug mentioned and the reporter does not go in depth about the drug cartel issuecartel issue

The article simply described the amount of drugs, the vehicle and The article simply described the amount of drugs, the vehicle and vehicle driver and nothing more.vehicle driver and nothing more.

http://www.debate.com.mx/eldebate/Buscador/ResultadoBuscador.asp?TxtTexto=droga&CmdBuscar=BUSCAR&ChkHoy=on&IdCat=6100

Gulf RegionGulf RegionEl Diario de YucatanEl Diario de Yucatan

A newspaper published in the Yucutan that focuses A newspaper published in the Yucutan that focuses on a variety of news stories.on a variety of news stories.

Although there are few articles regarding drug cartels, Although there are few articles regarding drug cartels, the reporters for this paper actually acknowledge the the reporters for this paper actually acknowledge the connections between certain crimes and the drug connections between certain crimes and the drug lords.lords.

However, the reporters simply mention that “drug However, the reporters simply mention that “drug cartels” are possibly involved, but fail to ever mention cartels” are possibly involved, but fail to ever mention specific names.specific names. Example: “Eleven Bodies Found in Acapulco:Example: “Eleven Bodies Found in Acapulco: About the 11 cadavers found in the river near AcapulcoAbout the 11 cadavers found in the river near Acapulco Acknowledges the fact that “drug cartels normally throw away Acknowledges the fact that “drug cartels normally throw away

cadavers of rival operators in public zones” but never goes cadavers of rival operators in public zones” but never goes further to place blame on any specific cartelfurther to place blame on any specific cartel

http://www.yucatan.com.mx/noticia.asp?cx=9$2701010000$4066749&f=20090504

Juarez RegionJuarez RegionEl DiarioEl Diario

Widely circulated newspaper published in Juarez, a Widely circulated newspaper published in Juarez, a current hot spot for drug tradecurrent hot spot for drug trade

Many stories about drug busts and local crimeMany stories about drug busts and local crime Thorough presentation of facts and events, but very Thorough presentation of facts and events, but very

minimal disclosure of particular names and cartels minimal disclosure of particular names and cartels involvedinvolved Example: “Sedena Detects 238 Air Strips in the State:Example: “Sedena Detects 238 Air Strips in the State: Drug traffickers have built private air strips throughout the Drug traffickers have built private air strips throughout the

nation in order to make transportation and trafficking easier nation in order to make transportation and trafficking easier and quickerand quicker

Does not exemplify any opinions, as it does not mention Does not exemplify any opinions, as it does not mention specific cartels involved or specific peoplespecific cartels involved or specific people

http://www.diario.com.mx/nota.php?notaid=8a30bb54b84e1f434096b1f1192b65e9

Tijuana RegionTijuana RegionLa PrensaLa Prensa

Discusses many news issues regarding economy, culture, politics, Discusses many news issues regarding economy, culture, politics, and crimeand crime

Includes some news about US, due to its close proximityIncludes some news about US, due to its close proximity VERY few articles pertaining to war and cartelsVERY few articles pertaining to war and cartels However, of the few articles about war, the reporters seemed to However, of the few articles about war, the reporters seemed to

cover the issues with slightly more detail and to a slightly deeper cover the issues with slightly more detail and to a slightly deeper extent, by using names and cartelsextent, by using names and cartels

Still did not clearly imply biases or take sidesStill did not clearly imply biases or take sides Example: “Captured the deputy of the Juarez Cartel from the Village Example: “Captured the deputy of the Juarez Cartel from the Village

Smoked”Smoked” Pedro Arras was seized by federal convoyPedro Arras was seized by federal convoy Called him a very powerful and dangerous man, but did not clearly Called him a very powerful and dangerous man, but did not clearly

indicate any biases towards one alliance over anotherindicate any biases towards one alliance over another http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldetijuana/notas/n1167628.htm

““Nowhere in the Nowhere in the Americas is it more Americas is it more

dangerous to dangerous to practice journalism practice journalism

than in Mexico.”than in Mexico.”

-Alejandro Junco de la Vega-Alejandro Junco de la Vega

How free is the Mexican press in How free is the Mexican press in regards to the drug war?regards to the drug war?

In April of last year, President Felipe In April of last year, President Felipe Calderon signed and passed a law Calderon signed and passed a law that decriminalized “insults” and that decriminalized “insults” and defamation in the press, in an defamation in the press, in an attempt to increase press freedom attempt to increase press freedom ((Reporters without BordersReporters without Borders))

Despite this new legal freedom, Despite this new legal freedom, journalist self-censorship is still journalist self-censorship is still practiced nationwidepracticed nationwide

Violence against JournalistsViolence against Journalists

Cartels have been using intimidation Cartels have been using intimidation and violence in order to force and violence in order to force journalists to keep quiet about the journalists to keep quiet about the drug wars and the specific cartels drug wars and the specific cartels and people involvedand people involved

Violence ensues in the form of Violence ensues in the form of kidnapping, human smuggling, kidnapping, human smuggling, sexual assault, and murdersexual assault, and murder

Violence against JournalistsViolence against Journalists

Since the year 2000, over 40 journalists Since the year 2000, over 40 journalists have been killed in Mexicohave been killed in Mexico

In the year 2008 alone, 4 journalists and In the year 2008 alone, 4 journalists and 1 radio talk show host have been killed1 radio talk show host have been killed

((Mexico’s National Human Rights Mexico’s National Human Rights CommissionCommission))

These crimes often go unpunished and These crimes often go unpunished and are often accredited to “unknown” are often accredited to “unknown” sourcessources

In 2008:In 2008:

Miguel ValleMiguel Valle Editor of Editor of La Noticia La Noticia in Michoacanin Michoacan Abducted and murderedAbducted and murdered Murderers thus far have been Murderers thus far have been

“unidentified”“unidentified” Jose Rodriguez CarreonJose Rodriguez Carreon

Covered crime for the Covered crime for the El Diario El Diario in Juarezin Juarez Shot to death outside his homeShot to death outside his home ““unidentified” gunmanunidentified” gunman

In 2008:In 2008:

Teresa Merino and Felicitas MartinezTeresa Merino and Felicitas Martinez Journalists and activistsJournalists and activists Worked for radio station Worked for radio station La Voz que La Voz que

Rompe el SilencioRompe el Silencio in Oaxaca in Oaxaca Killed on way back from covering the Killed on way back from covering the

State Forum for the Defence of the State Forum for the Defence of the Rights of the PeoplesRights of the Peoples

““unidentified” killersunidentified” killers

In 2008:In 2008:

Alejandro EstradaAlejandro Estrada Host of talk show on EXA FM in Host of talk show on EXA FM in

VillahermosaVillahermosa Shot and killed while hanging anti-Shot and killed while hanging anti-

organized crime posters on a major streetorganized crime posters on a major street 8 other journalists are currently 8 other journalists are currently

reported missingreported missing Latest to go missing: Mauricio Zamora, in Latest to go missing: Mauricio Zamora, in

MichoacanMichoacan

A pattern can be seen in the fact that these A pattern can be seen in the fact that these murders are occurring in the main centers murders are occurring in the main centers for drug tradefor drug trade

The cartels are using violence as a way to The cartels are using violence as a way to maintain control over the media, so that maintain control over the media, so that they can control what is accessed by the they can control what is accessed by the publicpublic

Thus, despite increasing government Thus, despite increasing government lenience regarding press freedom, the lenience regarding press freedom, the cartels continue to impose their power upon cartels continue to impose their power upon the press in order to manipulate what is the press in order to manipulate what is seen and heard by the publicseen and heard by the public

**information from the International Press Institute’s World Press Freedom Reviewinformation from the International Press Institute’s World Press Freedom Review

Drug war’s effect on foreign Drug war’s effect on foreign countries: Most heavily countries: Most heavily

impactedimpacted

1.1. USUS

2.2. Central/South AmericaCentral/South America

3.3. EuropeEurope

4.4. AfricaAfrica

5.5. Asia/Middle EastAsia/Middle East

Overall EffectsOverall Effects The danger of crossing Mexican borders are now being The danger of crossing Mexican borders are now being

compared to those of Pakistan.compared to those of Pakistan. Decrease in tourismDecrease in tourism Correlation with swine fluCorrelation with swine flu

““Hotels on Mexico's Caribbean coast are offering "flu-free Hotels on Mexico's Caribbean coast are offering "flu-free guarantees" and health officials are touting several vacation guarantees" and health officials are touting several vacation destinations as safe in an effort to revive the nation's ailing destinations as safe in an effort to revive the nation's ailing tourism industry.” tourism industry.”

Xinhau News AgencyXinhau News Agency Suffering business relationshipsSuffering business relationships Increase in Mexican immigrationIncrease in Mexican immigration KidnappingKidnapping MurderMurder

Effects on USEffects on UShttp://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=9n4f8BhcnfM=9n4f8BhcnfM (:20-1:24) (:20-1:24)

Covered strongly by publications in close proximity such Covered strongly by publications in close proximity such as the as the LA TimesLA Times or or The Dallas Morning NewsThe Dallas Morning News

Most heavily effected regionMost heavily effected region President Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton have both President Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton have both

made visits to Mexico in the past couple monthsmade visits to Mexico in the past couple months Largest consumer of Mexico’s narcoticsLargest consumer of Mexico’s narcotics 90% of guns used by drug cartels are supplied by the US90% of guns used by drug cartels are supplied by the US Experiencing large number of Mexican immigrantsExperiencing large number of Mexican immigrants ““Surge of millions of refugees crossing the U.S. border to Surge of millions of refugees crossing the U.S. border to

escape the domestic misery of violence, failed economic escape the domestic misery of violence, failed economic policy, poverty, hunger, joblessness, and the mindless policy, poverty, hunger, joblessness, and the mindless cruelty and injustice of a criminal state.” cruelty and injustice of a criminal state.” - Five-Star Gen. Barry - Five-Star Gen. Barry McCaffrey McCaffrey

Effect on Central/South AmericaEffect on Central/South Americahttp://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=TZrlJYZ6kNk=TZrlJYZ6kNk (1:18-end) (1:18-end)

Most strongly covered region outside of the Most strongly covered region outside of the USUS

Columbia, Brazil, Guatemala, and other Columbia, Brazil, Guatemala, and other neighboring countries report a good amount neighboring countries report a good amount on the matter despite small publications.on the matter despite small publications.

Drug cartels have moved their operations into Drug cartels have moved their operations into neighboring Latin American countries, neighboring Latin American countries, spreading the kidnapping/murder rates south.spreading the kidnapping/murder rates south.

Central/South America’s ViewpointCentral/South America’s Viewpoint

Their view is that the US is only concerned now that it is Their view is that the US is only concerned now that it is directly effected.directly effected.

““Now that the US has recognized that the spreading Now that the US has recognized that the spreading problem can affect national security at the US- Mexico problem can affect national security at the US- Mexico border, they have started to pay attention. As usual, only border, they have started to pay attention. As usual, only if the US sees that its interests are directly affected, they if the US sees that its interests are directly affected, they start to care. Not to mention that little attention has been start to care. Not to mention that little attention has been paid to the fact that the 30 year long, billion dollar drug paid to the fact that the 30 year long, billion dollar drug fight of the US backed Colombia plan and the Mexico fight of the US backed Colombia plan and the Mexico Plan is an utter failure that has been conveniently swept Plan is an utter failure that has been conveniently swept under the rug, until now that they have to face the facts.” under the rug, until now that they have to face the facts.”

--The Guatemala TimesThe Guatemala Times

Effects on Europe/AfricaEffects on Europe/Africahttp://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=8CanA6lnz1U&feature=related=8CanA6lnz1U&feature=related

Since recent crackdown in Mexico, drug cartels Since recent crackdown in Mexico, drug cartels have targeted Europe to create a new markethave targeted Europe to create a new market

Africa is used as an unloading port to transport Africa is used as an unloading port to transport drugs to Europedrugs to Europe

Africa’s economy makes them an unreachable Africa’s economy makes them an unreachable market for the productmarket for the product

Major corporations have experienced massive Major corporations have experienced massive layoffs of Mexican workers, including layoffs of Mexican workers, including Volkswagen which temporarily shut down Volkswagen which temporarily shut down production for three weeks earlier this year production for three weeks earlier this year

Effects on Asia/Middle EastEffects on Asia/Middle East Xinhau News Agency, Xinhau News Agency, Least effected regionLeast effected region Few articles/correspondents assigned to the Few articles/correspondents assigned to the

topic. Most stories on websites are from the AP topic. Most stories on websites are from the AP or other publications.or other publications.

Kim Jong Il has used drug trafficking profits to Kim Jong Il has used drug trafficking profits to finance nuclear weaponsfinance nuclear weapons

Osama Bin Laden used money from dealings Osama Bin Laden used money from dealings with Mexican cartels to finance terrorism and the with Mexican cartels to finance terrorism and the destruction of the west even through it is against destruction of the west even through it is against Islamic beliefsIslamic beliefs