Post by jeffolie on Aug 5, 2010 16:33:36 GMT -6
In many ways parts of Mexico are a failed state.
Tourism is in a shambles compared to when Americans did not fear for their personal and financial safety.
Media stories of gruesome murders and random violence abound.
Political and legal system corruption is widespread.
Now Mexico appears like the legendary to the Mafia control over the Italian island of Sicily, extortion and thuggery. The Sicilian economy and politics are plagued by organized crime like the Cartels plague Mexico.
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'Their Business is Dominating Other People'
Now this is getting scary. Predictable, but scary nonetheless:
"Mexico: Cartels Move Beyond Drugs, Seek Domination" (Associated Press)
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- President Felipe Calderon said Wednesday that Mexico's cartels in many cases have moved beyond drugs as their main money-earner and are even trying to supplant the government in parts of the country.
Speaking at an anti-crime conference, Calderon said gangs are imposing fees like taxes in towns they dominate, extorting money from both legitimate and unauthorized businesses.
''This has become an activity that defies the government, and even seeks to replace the government,'' he said. ''They are trying to impose a monopoly by force of arms, and are even trying to impose their own laws.''
Calderon said cartels may even be taking money from churches. ''I do not doubt that they are also extorting money from priests and pastors in this country,'' he said.
Drugs are becoming less of a focus for the gangs, he said.
''Their main business is not anymore even drug trafficking, sometimes,'' Calderon said. ''Their business is dominating other people.''
www.economicroadmap.com/
Tourism is in a shambles compared to when Americans did not fear for their personal and financial safety.
Media stories of gruesome murders and random violence abound.
Political and legal system corruption is widespread.
Now Mexico appears like the legendary to the Mafia control over the Italian island of Sicily, extortion and thuggery. The Sicilian economy and politics are plagued by organized crime like the Cartels plague Mexico.
===========================================================
'Their Business is Dominating Other People'
Now this is getting scary. Predictable, but scary nonetheless:
"Mexico: Cartels Move Beyond Drugs, Seek Domination" (Associated Press)
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- President Felipe Calderon said Wednesday that Mexico's cartels in many cases have moved beyond drugs as their main money-earner and are even trying to supplant the government in parts of the country.
Speaking at an anti-crime conference, Calderon said gangs are imposing fees like taxes in towns they dominate, extorting money from both legitimate and unauthorized businesses.
''This has become an activity that defies the government, and even seeks to replace the government,'' he said. ''They are trying to impose a monopoly by force of arms, and are even trying to impose their own laws.''
Calderon said cartels may even be taking money from churches. ''I do not doubt that they are also extorting money from priests and pastors in this country,'' he said.
Drugs are becoming less of a focus for the gangs, he said.
''Their main business is not anymore even drug trafficking, sometimes,'' Calderon said. ''Their business is dominating other people.''
www.economicroadmap.com/