A Gringo in Mexico

Some recent news stories, and overall updates that I thought were worthy of a post or two. Firstly let me provide you with some recent developments that are actual facts. Despite the American media’s best efforts, tourism was up nearly 6% in Mexico for the year 2008. Almost 23 million people visited this country last year. Why is that significant you ask? Well, it indicates to me that Mexico is a pretty safe place unless your a drug dealer, drug user, a member of the police or military (who happens to be deployed in a city like Tijuana, or Juarez). Fox news ran a story the other day, I actually found it almost funny, the premise of which was Universities in Arizona are warning their students not to visit Mexico for spring break. They then go on to specify that the warnings are specific to Tijuana and Juarez. Isn’t that like telling someone not to touch the fire or they will get burnt. The other news worthy note is the following piece about the Mexican Drug Cartel moving to Guatemala. Although the AP writer neglects to make any real connection to why the Cartel is moving to Guatemala, and the Drug war here in Mexico. So, I will go ahead and explain the significance of this. As the article points out, it is unfortunate that Guatemala may now be facing life with the Cartel. There is are specific reasons why this has happened. It is in large part because of military offensive launched by the Mexican government. The Cartel is in retreat because the military has made life difficult here for them. Getting killed, imprisoned, or extradited to the United States are all real possibilities for the Cartel. Guatemala may serve as a safe haven for the time being. However, the retreat will also make it much easier for the Mexican Military to contain the cartel if they can isolate them to the southern border. From a tactical standpoint this could be the turning point. Time will only tell, and that opinion does not sell as many news papers.

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.