Mexico’s Civil War Gets Uncomfortably Close

The war in Mexico is getting a little too close for comfort. From the AP:

The first bullets struck El Paso’s city hall at the end of a work day. The next ones hit a university building and closed a major highway. Shootouts in the drug war along the U.S.-Mexico border are sending bullets whizzing across the Rio Grande into one of the nation’s safest cities, where authorities worry it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt or killed.

At least eight bullets have been fired into El Paso in the last few weeks from the rising violence in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, one of the world’s most dangerous places. And all American police can do is shrug because they cannot legally intervene in a war in another country. The best they can do is warn people to stay inside.

“There’s really not a lot you can do right now,” El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles said. “Those gun battles are breaking out everywhere, and some are breaking out right along the border.”

Arguably, the government of Mexico is losing this war. The local police forces are riddled with corruption as evidenced by the recent murder of the mayor of Santiago. Seven members of the Santiago police force have been arrested in connection with the slaying including, incredibly, his bodyguard.

As the violence inevitably spreads into the border states, there is scant evidence that Washington understands the magnitude of the problem or has any credible plan to deal with it. Today it might be no more than stray bullets (incredible that I  minimize that fact isn’t it?), tomorrow it could easily be pitched battles within an American border town.

The first priority of any government is the protection of its citizens. Tough choices might well face the Obama administration if the war in Mexico proceeds on its present course.

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About Tom Lindmark 401 Articles

I’m not sure that credentials mean much when it comes to writing about things but people seem to want to see them, so briefly here are mine. I have an undergraduate degree in economics from an undistinguished Midwestern university and masters in international business from an equally undistinguished Southwestern University. I spent a number of years working for large banks lending to lots of different industries. For the past few years, I’ve been engaged in real estate finance – primarily for commercial projects. Like a lot of other finance guys, I’m looking for a job at this point in time.

Given all of that, I suggest that you take what I write with the appropriate grain of salt. I try and figure out what’s behind the news but suspect that I’m often delusional. Nevertheless, I keep throwing things out there and occasionally it sticks. I do read the comments that readers leave and to the extent I can reply to them. I also reply to all emails so feel free to contact me if you want to discuss something at more length. Oh, I also have a very thick skin, so if you disagree feel free to say so.

Enjoy what I write and let me know when I’m off base – I probably won’t agree with you but don’t be shy.

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7 Comments on Mexico’s Civil War Gets Uncomfortably Close

  1. Chad –

    Bullets coming into our country from another country, who got its guns and bullets from our country and whose drug war is fueled by our countries demand.

  2. “The first priority of any government is to protect it’s citizens.” What a crock….

    If this were true, the government would not be willfully repeating the mistakes and pathologies of alcohol prohibition by waging such a (simi expensive and futile never ending “war” on certain drugs not sanctioned by them. The costs, consequences and collateral damage of this policy (which includes this situation in Mexico) far outway any benefits to the public.

    The first priority of governments is to confiscate as much resources and power from the people as they can get away with, to expand and perpetuate their existence.

  3. it is a civil war and i agree with it. the only thing is people in Mexico refuse to accept things the way they are. it is a civil war and nice article by the way :)

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