Pubdate: Sat, 26 Dec 2009
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2009 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491

MASSACRE IN MEXICO

MELQUISEDET Angulo Cordova, a member of Mexico's naval special forces,
had been laid to rest for only a few hours when hit men burst into his
family's home Tuesday and slaughtered his mother, brother, sister and
aunt.

This was not a random act of violence. It appears to have been
retribution for Mr. Cordova's part last week in a military ambush that
resulted in the death of Arturo Beltran Leyva, one of Mexico's most
violent and brazen drug lords, and a handful of his bodyguards. The
revenge killing, the targeting of a mother and family, has shocked
even those who have been numbed by thousands of deaths at the hands of
the nation's drug cartels during the past few years. This tragedy
should serve as a reminder of why the United States must remain a
strong and unwavering partner to Mexico in combating the increasingly
ruthless cartels.

The Obama administration condemned the murders as "barbaric" and
pledged to "stand firm" with the Mexican government "in our commitment
for total cooperation and shared responsibility in this fight against
a common enemy." It has staunchly and correctly pushed to maintain
funding levels for the Merida Initiative, which provides Mexico and
neighboring countries with some $1.3 billion in equipment and training
for anti-drug operations. The administration points to the Dec. 16
ambush of Mr. Beltran Leyva as proof that the U.S. assistance to
Mexico's military is paying off.

It must do more. Some 90 percent of the guns seized from operations
against organized crime in Mexico come from the United States.
President Obama expressed strong support during the campaign for
closing the gun-show loophole, which allows some purchases of weapons
without the buyer undergoing a federal background check. He also vowed
support for legislation to outlaw assault weapons. Since taking
office, he has distanced himself from both, and he has taken only
anemic steps to empower law enforcement officials to share information
about the origins of weapons used in crime. He also has yet to respond
meaningfully to the reasonable pleas from Mexican President Felipe
CalderA3n for the United States to do more to stem the flow of illegal
guns into his country. ad_icon

Mr. Obama's professions of full support for Mexico in the war against
drug cartels are welcome. They'd be more valuable if backed up by the
courage to tackle the gun problem. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D