Thread: Mexico holds crime crisis talks

Page last updated at 14:20 GMT, Thursday, 21 August 2008 15:20 UK

Mexico holds crime crisis talks


A billboard displays a mother's appeal to find her kidnapped son


Mexican President Felipe Calderon has convened a security meeting to discuss strategies to tackle a wave of kidnappings and drug-related murders.

State governors and prosecutors are among those set to attend the talks scheduled for later in the day.

More than 2,600 people have died in violence linked to drug gangs so far this year, while officials there are on average 65 abductions a month.

Anti-kidnap marches are planned for 30 August, a sign of growing public fury.

Mr Calderon has deployed more than 30,000 soldiers across the country since 2007, in an effort to combat drug trafficking and drug-related violence.

Earlier this month, the authorities also launched an anti-kidnapping squad amid anger over the abduction and killing of a prominent businessman's son.

The decomposed body of Fernando Marti, 14, who was kidnapped in June, was found in the boot of a car in Mexico City even though his family had reportedly paid a ransom.

It appears both the federal and state governments want to be seen to be doing more.

Governors from Mexico's 31 states and the federal district of Mexico City are due to attend the crisis talks called by President Calderon and discuss an initiative called the pact against insecurity.

The meeting will bring together both Mr Calderon's political allies and opponents, a sign that the scale of the violence is forcing all sides to put their difference to one side, correspondents say.

Among the measures being proposed are:

imposing tougher sentences on kidnappers
setting up a national fund to combat organised crime
allowing anonymous judges to preside over trials
tackling weapons-trafficking
But human rights groups point out major problems for any anti-crime initiative.

They believe the real rate of kidnappings is probably two or three times the official figure as many abductions are not reported because of fear of the police, some of whose members or former members have links to drug or kidnap gangs.

Federal police chief Genaro Garcia told local media that they were attacking corruption but admitted that "there are criminals who have infiltrated police forces".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7574461.stm

I still mad that it's only a serious crime because it happened to an important person's son. The Mexican President acts like it's the first time it EVER happened. Shame on all the Mexican Government Officials.

I feel sorry for the family times 2. First because of what happened and second because Mexico only started fighting your crime THIS YEAR!!!

Your police are emostly criminals!! Now we have your criminals ruining our country! Like we need that....

I bet, they sat around and discussed how to get all of those criminals and cartels to come over to America, and then they could say they did their jobs and get to keep the funds they begged for from us to fight their corruption problems.

Mexico is, and always will be a corrupt cesspool. They are so steeped in this culture of corruption, they will likely never get a handle on it, it is just not something they truly have the willpower for.

Among the measures being proposed are:

imposing tougher sentences on kidnappers
setting up a national fund to combat organised crime
allowing anonymous judges to preside over trials
tackling weapons-trafficking
But human rights groups point out major problems for any anti-crime initiative.

Impose a minimum of a life sentence without parole on kidnappers!
Didnt America send them 1.4 billion dollars to fight crime?
What do the HUMAN RIGHT GROUPS mean when they say there would be "major problems for any anti-crime initiative?" That these monsters that kidnap and kill should be treated with kid gloves?
While you are at it Calderon, build your own fence to keep your criminals out of America!!

Originally Posted by butterbean

Among the measures being proposed are:

imposing tougher sentences on kidnappers
setting up a national fund to combat organised crime
allowing anonymous judges to preside over trials
tackling weapons-trafficking
But human rights groups point out major problems for any anti-crime initiative.

Impose a minimum of a life sentence without parole on kidnappers!
Didnt America send them 1.4 billion dollars to fight crime?
What do the HUMAN RIGHT GROUPS mean when they say there would be "major problems for any anti-crime initiative?" That these monsters that kidnap and kill should be treated with kid gloves?
While you are at it Calderon, build your own fence to keep your criminals out of America!!

I'm ALL for emptying our prisons in MEXICO!!!!