Thread: Is Mexico a Failed State?

By John W. Lillpop

U.S. authorities responsible for the well being of Americans as they travel to and from foreign nations have been rather blunt in recent warnings and alerts about traveling to Mexico.

As reported at counton2.com, in part:

"The U.S. government says Mexico’s bloody drug war is a growing threat to tourists. Now, as college students start planning their spring breaks, the U.S. State Department has a new warning about traveling to Mexico.

This is the image Mexico wants American tourists to see: beautiful beaches, party time!

But recently, this is more the reality: a drug war that is spiraling out of control."


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Students Warned About Spring Break in Mexico
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In addition, university and college administrations are cautioning American students against taking spring vacations south of the border, owing to the carnage and violence.

As reported at ajc.com, in part:

"The U.S. State Department and universities around the country are warning college students headed for Mexico for some spring-break partying of a surge in drug-related murder and mayhem south of the border.

'We’re not necessarily telling students not to go, but we’re going to certainly alert them,' said Tom Dougan, vice president for student affairs at the University of Rhode Island. 'There have been Americans kidnapped, and if you go you need to be very aware and very alert to this fact.'

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Potential for Collapse Likened To Pakistan
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Mexico's overall stability and ability to function has also come into serious question. As reported recently in the El Paso times, in part:

"Mexico is one of two countries that 'bear consideration for a rapid and sudden collapse,' according to a report by the U.S. Joint Forces Command on worldwide security threats.

The command's 'Joint Operating Environment (JOE 200' report, which contains projections of global threats and potential next wars, puts Pakistan on the same level as Mexico.

In terms of worse-case scenarios for the Joint Force and indeed the world, two large and important states bear consideration for a rapid and sudden collapse: Pakistan and Mexico.

In the foreword, Marine Gen. J.N. Mattis, the USJFC commander, said 'Predictions about the future are always risky ... Regardless, if we do not try to forecast the future, there is no doubt that we will be caught off guard as we strive to protect this experiment in democracy that we call America.'

The report is one in a series focusing on Mexico's internal security problems, mostly stemming from drug violence and drug corruption. In recent weeks, the Department of Homeland Security and former U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey issued similar alerts about Mexico."

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Human Rights Record Assailed
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In more bad news for the third-world nation, Mexico's human rights efforts are falling short of its good intentions, says a report by Amnesty International.

As reported at thestar.com, in part:

"There is ingrained impunity for human rights violations," said Rupert Knox, a Mexico researcher with the London-based organization. The government talks about rights in general terms. But what's lacking is a dynamic commitment that has some impact on the ground.'

Arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence and unlawful killings by security officials have escalated during government security operations to combat violent criminal gangs, said the report, tabled this week as the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva reviews Mexico's human rights performance.

Although the government's list of 'positive initiatives and reforms is good news,' there was no information about how to end the rights violations, and the impunity that goes with them, it said.

Mexico has not commented on the report, but it has taken steps to reform its police forces by creating new procedures for training and screening police recruits.

Human rights organizations have been critical of Mexico's escalating violence, as the country battles warring drug cartels that have caused the death of some 6,000 people in the past year.

Mexico's own National Human Rights Commission has documented rights violations – including torture and arbitrary arrest by the armed forces – but without any resulting drop in reported incidents. Critics have called for investigations and prosecution of perpetrators of abuses.

Meanwhile, ongoing bloodshed and a fraying economy have undermined support for President Felipe Calderon's conservative government, and a recent poll shows public confidence sliding ahead of mid-term elections in July. "

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Do Not Drink The Water Or Eat The Pozole!
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Pozole is the name of a very popular Mexican stew, which includes a rich variety of meats, vegetables and seasonings.

However, hungry amigos in Mexico are thinking twice before ordering the spicy delicacy after it was disclosed that Santiago Meza López, known as “el Pozoleroâ€

Don't help Mexico, vacation in America. Best yet save the money and don't vacation at all. Maybe the tour industry will quit hiring illegal immigrants.

In short Mexico is sick not dead

There are nowhere near 40 million illegal aliens here

The best estimate for the total illegal, quasi legal and dependents is 20 million

You're right Richard, Mexico is sick, very sick.

I wish I could say I knew the root of Mexico's problem, other than it is such a corrupted society, for so long, that it has produced so many sociopaths, and will never be able to dig itself out of the criminal quagmire they have gotten themselves into. IMHO....