Mexico’s Emerging Narco-State

"As the economy rots in joblessness, their politicians court powerful moneyed interests... The supposed 'failed state' looks a lot more like a corporate-backed narco-state"

By Todd Miller
NACLA

July 2, 2009

White House: 72 Hours "Before Actions Kick In" on Honduras Coup

Gibbs: US Is Following the Organization of American States' Lead and Timeline

By Al Giordano
The Field

July 1, 2009

In Lead-up to National Chamber of Deputies Election, Oaxaca Teachers Choose a “Punishment Vote”

Oaxaca Prepares for a Rejection of all the Nation’s Political Parties

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

June 28, 2009

Representative Democracy versus Participatory Democracy

In the Activist State of Oaxaca, Mexico, Residents Reconsider the Paradigm of Voting for the “Lesser of Two Evils”

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

June 21, 2009

Oaxacan Political Prisoners Find New Hope in Zapatistas' Other Campaign

Subcomandante Marcos' 2006 Visit to Imprisoned Loxichas Inspired a New Movement; One Prisoner is Already Free

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

June 14, 2009

Persecution of Monterrey Community Radio "Tierra y Libertad"

Mexican Government Used the Drug War to Raid a Rebellious Poor Neighborhood's Radio; Radio Magnates Rejoice

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

en español... Persecución de la Radio Comunitaria “Tierra y Libertad” en Monterrey

June 1, 2009

A Stroll Downtown, Oaxaca Life

A Robbery and Murder Committed by AEI Agents at a Local Bus Terminal Furthers the Breakdown of the Rule of Law and Trust in Oaxaca

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

May 31, 2009

Congress Sends Drug War South, Taxpayer Money to Defense Firms

The Bush Security Doctrine and Defense Interests Continue to Control the U.S. Government's Foreign Policy

By Laura Carlsen
Via the NarcoSphere

May 31, 2009

Situation Heats Up in Oaxaca Prior to Teachers' Union Decisions

Tensions are High as Resistance Groups Organize and Plan Their Next Move

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

May 26, 2009

Actions Strengthen Against Mining in Oaxaca

Teachers Union Declares Broader Mission to Include Social Justice and Community Education

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

May 19, 2009

Plan Mexico Reality Check in US Senate

All Eyes on Conference Committee to Resolve $404 Million Difference Between Senate and House Versions of New Plan Mexico Funding

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

May 18, 2009

Guerrillas, Narcos, Washington, and the Ghosts of 1910

A Guerrilla Group in the Guerrero Narco Conflict Zone Went Public with Allegations that the Government of President Felipe Calderon Was Supporting the Sinaloa Cartel

By Frontera NorteSur
Newspaper Tree - El Paso Magazine

May 14, 2009

Indigenous Chiapans Insist They Are in Prison For Belonging to the EZLN

When They Gave Their Statements They Said They Were Tortured by Plainclothes Police

By Hermann Bellinghausen
La Jornada

en español... Indígenas chiapanecos aseguran estar en prisión por pertenecer al EZLN

May 13, 2009

Plan Mexico: US Congress Abandons Human Rights Posturing in Favor of Black Hawk Helicopters

Majority of Proposed Funds are for Military Aircraft; House Appropriations Axes Human Rights Conditions to Speed Delivery

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

May 13, 2009

Civil Sectors Unite Against Mine in Ocotlán as Power Struggles Intensify

Recent Arrests and Threats Increase Strife as Local and Federal Authorities Attempt to Silence Opposition

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

May 11, 2009

Mexico Decriminalizes Simple Possession, Cracks Down on Everything Else

New Laws Strike a Symbolic Blow to Prohibition, But Net Result is Increased Law Enforcement Powers

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

May 9, 2009

"They Kill Our Trees So We'll Grow Their Drugs"

Violence Linked to Drug-Trafficking Does Not Spare the Most Isolated Indigenous Communities in Mexico's Sierra Tarahumara

By Yemeli Ortega
Rue 89, Translated by Truthout.org

en français... « Ils tuent nos arbres pour qu'on cultive leur drogue »

May 7, 2009

The Other Campaign NY Shuts Down Mexican Consulate While Demanding Freedom for Atenco Prisoners

Mexican Mexican Consulate Shuts Down in Face of Protest from The Other Campaign New York Demanding Freedom for Political Prisoners of Atenco

By Movement for Justice in El Barrio
The Other Campaign New York

May 6, 2009

Drug War Repression Hits Zapatistas and the Other Campaign

Military Intelligence Leads to Eight Men Detained, Tortured, Charged with Organized Crime in Disputed Agua Azul Region

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

April 26, 2009

Judge Declares APPO Adviser David Venegas Innocent of Drug Charges

Innocent Verdict Means Judge Acknowledges that Police Planted Cocaine and Heroine on a Movement Leader

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

April 21, 2009

Actions Follow Talks

Ocotlán Residents Take the Highway

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

April 21, 2009

Government Harassment in Brad Will Murder Case

Federal Police Pressure Imprisoned APPO Defendant Juan Manuel Martinez to Confess; Will Family Lawyer Faces Legal Harassment

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

April 21, 2009

El Chapo Guzman: the National Action Party's Drug Baron

"It is estimated that drug trafficking money is linked to about 78% of legal Mexican activities"

By Ricardo Ravelo
Proceso

en español... El capo del panismo

April 20, 2009

Forum of People in Resistance

Local Oaxaca Priest Backs Auto Determination and Defense of Environment

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

April 19, 2009

Mexican Drug War: Soldiers vs. Soldiers

The Most Severe Blows Against the Military in the War on Drugs Have Come from Former Soldiers

By Jorge Carrasco Araizaga
Proceso

en español... Militares: el enemigo, de la misma familia

April 18, 2009

Over 10,000 Dead: Is Mexican Drug War Violence Ebbing?

Statistical Slights-of-Hand and Temporary Lulls Have Obscured the Drug War's Rising Costs

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

en español... Con más de 10,000 Muertos: ¿Esta bajando la Violencia de la Guerra de las Drogas en Mexico?

April 17, 2009

Merida Initiative: the United States’ Bureaucratic Invasion

With the Bilateral Strategy’s Implementation, Dozens of Experts Began to Arrive in Mexico to Collaborate with Authorities in the Fight Against Drug Trafficking

By Víctor Hugo Michel
Milenio

en español... Invasión burocrática de EU

April 16, 2009

Former Mexican Intelligence Director: “We’ve Lost Half the Country” to Organized Crime

Ex-Intelligence Directors and Attorney General Medina Mora Contradict Clinton and Calderon on Drug War

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

April 15, 2009

Mexico's Democratic Revolution Party Endorses Marijuana Decriminalization

“In the case of drugs neither total deregulation nor total prohibition is the answer... Instead, a balance must be found”

By Rolando Ramos
El Economista

en español... Avala PRD despenalizar marihuana

April 14, 2009

Oaxaca: David Venegas Verdict Delayed... Again

No Day in Court; Judge Will Call Venegas' Lawyer with Verdict

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

April 13, 2009