This is how bold Mexican drug cartels have become. In Veracruz, shortly before Mexico’s top prosecutors would be holding a convention, two trucks with wooden side panels drove down a highway with bodies flopping out of the back onto the road.
Human bodies.
The bodies consisted of 21 men, 12 women, and 2 minors.
After stopping the trucks, the drivers made it away on foot and haven’t been caught. Read more about it, if you’re interested, here.
It’s thought that the incident is part of a drug war going on between the established Zeta cartel and the so-called New Generation cartel who want to take over the port of Veracruz.
Violence ranging from murder and torture to kidnapping for ransom are common in Mexico, much of it in the northern part of the country not far from the US/Mexican border. It’s more than just close to the US, it’s spilling over the border.
Did you know that the #2 city for kidnappings in the Americas—after Mexico City where kidnapping for ransom is a cottage industry—is Phoenix, Arizona? For the last few years 300-350 kidnappings have taken place there. You can Google up plenty of information on that. You’ll find the issue is confused by some misquoting by John McCain and others who went from “in the Americas” to “in the world.” Who knows what the kidnapping statistics are in places like Afghanistan or Zimbabwe? Phoenix is #2 in the Americas.
Some people will argue that the victims are, as often as not, illegals or people involved in the drug trade. But if the situation in Mexico is any preview, it’s easy enough for innocents to get hurt in the crossfire or for people to be kidnapped by mistake or from families that can’t manage a large ransom, and then what happens? These gangs routinely behead their enemies.
The government has plenty on its plate with trying to kill terrorism at the roots worldwide, but perhaps it’s time to crack down on gangs in the US.
Of course, the ultimate solution won’t be easy, because between being short on funds and corrupt from top to bottom, Mexico will never be able to stop the drug cartels on their own. While we’re not doing enough north of the border, the problem won’t be solved until something happens south of the border. Let’s hope it doesn’t require sending US troops across the southern border.
