Pubdate: Fri, 06 Aug 2010 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2010 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/townhall/ci_14227323 Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 CARTEL TAKEOVERS: 'GOVERNMENT BY GANG' IN MEXICO How much worse can things get in Mexico as violence and corruption wrack that country? Well, on Wednesday, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said that drug cartels are now trying to take over governments in many parts of the country. "This has become an activity that defies the government, and even seeks to replace the government," he said. And now, with more than 28,000 people dead in the Mexico violence since 2006 when a government "crackdown" began, there are predictions of intensified violence. Phil Jordan, former director of the El Paso Intelligence Center, said, "The grenades, the car bombings in Mexico is just a preview of the worse to come. The collateral damage is nothing now in what can happen to the future." The question, as it always is with the issue of Mexican violence, is what Calderon's government plans to do about it. And the answer remains the same: The government is either incapable of controlling the situation -- or it is unwilling. While the entire situation in Mexico is appalling, it's extremely distressing to see the cartels trying to insinuate themselves into governments. Calderon said gangs are imposing tax-like fees, extorting money from businesses, and, "I do not doubt that they are also extorting money from priests and pastors in this country." But it gets worse. Calderon, speaking at an anti-crime conference, said that some people "... are telling me, 'Mr. President, don't bother the criminals.' " Calderon called that an "unacceptable option" and he's right. But it serves to show the increasing desperation of people who can't see an end to the killings and violence and corruption that surround them. As to fears of the violence spilling over into this country, Jordan said, "The grenades the other day and the car bombing is just another escalation that has no boundaries, but the escalation does have borders. "The cartels will not attack or use that type of tactic in the United States." It's to be hoped that he's right. But the United States must keep pressuring Mexico to stop the violence, must help Mexico in that endeavor, and at the same time secure our border with Mexico so that violence doesn't spill over. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D