A Gringo in Mexico

As I went about my typical day of completing my usual boring tasks online I stumbled upon this article on Yahoo.  The full title is Mexican collapse?  Drug wars worry some Americans.  The article is written by AP writer Traci Carl.  As I have recently decided to make Mexico my new home, I found this article a must read.  However, it did not take long before it became apparent this piece of writing was simple utilizing random facts taken out of context to sensationalize or exaggerate what is really going on in this country.  I am sure the sensationalize of the article has garnered plenty of clicks as was intended.  However, this appears to be where the usefulness of this piece ends.

There is a drug war in Mexico, there is no dispute about that.  However, where these types of articles come off as sensationalism is when they imply that the whole country has fallen into a state of lawlessness. Or when comparisons are made to Iraq.  A couple of things to keep in mind.  Most of the narco violence in Mexico is contained to to specific areas most notable the northern states, of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Sonora, Baja California, Durango, as well as the state of Michoacan, and Mexico City.

Making a comparison to Iraq in a broad context without any clarification is irresponsible journalism.  For example the following statement from the AP piece” Retiring CIA chief Michael Hayden told reporters on Friday that” that Mexico could rank alongside Iran as a challenge for Obama — perhaps a greater problem than Iraq.”  This is clearly abstract at best in reference to Iran, as we really don’t know what to expect in terms of potential escalation.  For example if nothing really changes between the US and Iran over the next 4 years, Iran does not go any further with its nuclear ambitions etc, than the comparison seems accurate.  But what if Iran does move forward with these ambitions and Israel decides to launch an intense air strike campaign.  Clearly, the comparison at this point is absurd.  The problem with the original statement in such a broad context, is we don’t really know how the situation in Iran will play out.  The Iraq comparison is a little more cut and dry, perhaps.  However, many readers will inevitable come away viewing Mexico in the same context that has defined Iraq over the last 6 years.  This of course is even more absurd then the Iran example.  Iraq ongoing may not be as challenging as Iraq past, but the author has an obligation to point out the difference between ongoing and issues past.

I went to Progresso,a near by port city on Friday, just to check out the ocean, and the beach.  One of the first things that stood out to me was the amount of Americans and Canadians present in the area.  Many of them driving in their vehicles from different states and provinces (mostly Ontario) .  Suggesting most of them drove, although a very few may have had their vehicles shipped here from Florida.  If this country is in such a lawless state, why would all of these expats be driving down here.  The logical conclusion is, as stated above the drug war although very serious, is currently being fought on specific fronts within Mexico. The rest of the country is not under siege.