The West is still Wild . . . a 21st century mexican drug war

S u n d a y, A u g u s t 2 4, 2 0 0 8

While this post may be a little off topic of the normal basketball/shoes/rap topics on BOP hopefully it will appeal to the Godfather & Scarface fans in us all.

We (the BOP 6) often frequent First Thursday events here in Portland but they do not compare to my OG College Thursdays. Back in my days of coolidge, while at my alma matre New Mexico State (NMSU), there were frequent Thursday night trips to Juarez Mexico for $10 "drink till you drown" College nights.

I was astonished to learn via a recent email sent to every NMSU student that these Thursday Night Mexico trips have been recently put to a screeching halt . . .
___________________________________________________________
Safety Advisory – Juarez Violence
(Issued 8/19/2008)

The NMSU Police Department is sending this notice to ensure the university community is aware of recent violence in Juarez and surrounding areas in Mexico. Since January of this year, Juarez has experienced at least 769 murders (as of August 12). There were 17 murders during the weekend of August 9-10. In addition, there have been hundreds of kidnappings and other crimes of violence.

Those who have been following the local news over the past few months are aware of these facts. However, those new to campus or who have been away for the summer may not have heard about them. Anyone considering traveling to Juarez should be cognizant of the situation, and may wish to research news articles like the one on page 23 of the Aggie Hookup publication (printed by Las Cruces Bulletin and distributed around campus). A number of NMSU departments and organizations will also be distributing information regarding the situation in Juarez during the first week of school.

Stay safe, and good luck with the Fall semester!
(Distributed via e-mail to all NMSU Las Cruces Campus College students, faculty, and staff.)

Stephen Lopez
Deputy Chief of Police
New Mexico State University Police Department
____________________________________________________________________________


In the span of just 3 recent days (August 16th-19th) 43 people died in the current Mexican Drug War centered in Juarez and the Mexican state of Chihuahua (borders New Meixco & Texas). As of last Friday (the 22nd) more than 1200 people have been killed this year in the conflict.

At the heart of the Drug War is a turf fight between the Juarez Cartel and the neighboring Sinaloa Cartel over the Juarez/El Paso territory (which is responsible for an estimated 50% of all illegal drug traffic into the US). You may remember the Juarez cartel from their recent portrayal in the Blockbuster Movie Traffic.

With incidents that includes the college email above,

a small town massacre,

a viral email warning of a upcoming bloody weekend



and the resignation of a recent Juarez Police chief due to fear for his life after his 2nd in command was gunned down by 50 bullets outside his home

(the slain officer was the 6th senior policeman killed that week alone throughout the country)

this War is shaping up to be one of the worst Drug related Conflicts of all time.


I guess I won't be singing Cielito Lindo while drinking a michelada on the Mercado any time soon.

-Cam