'coruption in mexican government' Politics

Bryan from CB CA (Contact Member) -

Why does it seem that mexico has such a unstable govenment that is rife with corruption from top to bottom? What seems to be the root of this issue?

Comment #1 eyes4 from The Beach (Contact Member) -

Bryan, the folks at Stratfor (a private intelligence company) seem to believe the State is almost at a toppling point do to the prolific drug trade and the armed soldiers required to protect and transport their product. They cite the recent broad daylight assassinations of government officials and police leaders.

Of course, as analysts they leave wiggle room in their report for unforeseen events to change the stated outcome... Like - the U.S. could send 'help' at the Mexican Government's request....

Comment #2 eyes4 from The Beach (Contact Member) -

Blackwater USA looks excited about this story:

Drug lords go after Mexican police officers

Dated May 18, 2008 in the Washington Post.com taken from Mark Stevenson of the Associated Press.

The article can be found with a short search on the Post's site.

In summary:

Targeting policemen, the drug cartels are ratcheting up the pressure down south. It appears that the situation may be changing from a criminal problem to a terrorist problem.

eyes4

Comment #3 eyes4 from The Beach (Contact Member) -

It would be refreshing to me to have someone actually ask for a bribe outright. Corruption doesn't have to be as ugly as the phrase makes it sound. It beats violence any time in my book.

Comment #4 DianaR from USA (Contact Member) -

Are these stories about drug lords true, or are they meant to feed fear about legalizing marijuana in the USA?

Do people SEE armed drug lords going up and down their neighborhood streets, threatening residents?

What detrimental developments do residents see that can be directly attributable to the government dealing with armed drgu lords?

Comment #5 eyes4 from The Beach (Contact Member) -

The stories are true.

Check out "Killing Pablo" by Mark Bowden. It's about the Columbian cocaine king-pin Pablo Escobar. Transfer this information to Mexico and you've got the current situation down.

The drug cartels take public responsibility for the murders, rape, and other violence in the neighborhoods in order to terrorize the citizens and government. The government loses the face when the gangs do this. Giving the drug cartels more power in the country.

From what I've heard, there are four things that can be the root cause of corruption there;

1) - The politicians run everything there. [Politicians of course cannot be trusted with anything.]

2) - The industries not state-owned are taxed and regulated to death.

3) - Extreme poverty and Extreme wealth in close proximity.

4) - The massive profits brought into the country through the drug trade. [Money is power everywhere] Once the money has been used to buy power from an official, the buyer now has provable evidence of bribery to blackmail the official.

The vicious circle continues from there.

Legalizing drugs in the US will not reduce the violence or corruption.

Comment #6 Mark (152.163.37.121) -

My wife is from Colombia (we met when I was traveling there). She always said "Mexico is more dangerous than Colombia"... low and behold one say I was reading CNN online and they had an article which said that "Mexico is now more dangerous than Colombia".... and Colombia has been engaged in an ongoing civil war for 50 or so years!

I think one of the differences is that Colombia's dangers and drugs have been traditionally related to the civil war. While in Mexico the "established" government tends toward excessive corruption.

Comment #7 EugenS from Europe (Contact Member) -

It's because of the people who rule the country. They're too afraid of the drug cartels and are in too deep. They make good money turning their faces from the problems, and that only makes it worse for people there. It's happening in Eastern Europe too!

Comment #8 DianaR from USA (Contact Member) -

The proximity of the wealthy to the impoverished might be something the USA needs to look at. The way things are going, The States may be facing the same resentments in its own population!

Comment #9 EugenS from Europe (Contact Member) -

I think they already are. Think about the gap between the ultra rich and the ultra poor. It's getting wider every year.

Comment #10 Jackie (63.176.159.122) -

I was watching a show about the gangs in the U.S. and how ruthless they are, killing innocent civilians just for wearing the wrong colors. I imagine that Mexico is way worse is this true?

Comment #11 Dean (63.176.159.229) -

For me, the biggest organize gang is the government. The people gave them power and yet they use these power in a very unlikely manner like corruption and other nasty things. Bush made a war out of taxpayers money to a land so far away that shouldn't be a concern to him. I don't believe that a flawless government exists these days. All are tainted with politics from the lowest level to top.

Comment #12 Magenta (63.176.159.253) -

I pity and saddened on the political situation in Mexico. Politics and the government is overpowered by greed and ruthless violence. How can one even think of safely traveling to Mexico with all these news? That is why Mexico will always be tainted by the image of drugs and killings. I also believe that there are various politicians and policemen/soldiers who are also part of the drug syndicate or am afraid to expose such activities because of fearing for themselves and their families' lives.

Comment #13 pale_o (63.176.159.170) -

Hasn't corruption become a global disaster. Almost every country has a trace of the same. The leaders in Mexico will have to do a lot then to reverse the trend. It is true that every country might have corrupt officers only that the degree of rot will vary.

I wonder if it is only those in power that are to blame. Mexicans, in being part of the said scandals have contributed to the whole mess. It should start from bottom to up.

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