In response to the record-breaking number of 85 people violently killed across Mexico in a span of 24 hours, President Felipe Calderón released a 5,000-word letter Sunday defending his support and dedication to the drug war.
The further I read into the letter, the more I realized how much of what he said was redundant.
In the second section of his letter, “The Cause of the Problems,” Calderón explained that the U.S. is like a “drug-addicted neighbor,” demanding a high quantity of drugs from “the house next door.”
He then went on to explain the statistics of drug use in the U.S., such as how many adults between the ages 18- 25 have used drugs within the past year and how many U.S. citizens have tried any sort of narcotics.
While much of what he is saying is valid and true, I felt that accusing the U.S. of being the “cause of the problems” was rather immature. Yes, the U.S. has the highest demand for drugs, but the blame should not be placed entirely on the U.S. Mexico should have attempted to regulate crime for as long as it has been a country.
With the death toll now at a cringing high, I’m beginning to question whether Calderón’s method of terminating organized crime is even working.
I understand and undoubtedly agree with the importance of ceasing drug trafficking in Mexico, but I don’t believe that the best way to do so was tio be so aggressive and sudden.
Although Calderón stated he is merely aiming to establish a safer Mexico, drug dealers take it as a blatant and threatening attack – further evoking their cruel and violent behavior.
The war on drugs would have been much more effective if Calderón were more devious about it. If the drug busts were gradual and less dramatic, then drug dealers wouldn’t have thought to take as much precaution or be so defensive as they are now.
Later in Calderón’s letter, he expressed empathy toward the innocent lives affected throughout the drug war, explaining that this was the “most infuriating” part. Because the drug war was initiated in such an abrupt manner, drug dealers are also responding in panic, explaining their spontaneous brutal behavior. Is Calderón’s process of ceasing organized crime in Mexico really worth all the lives lost?
It seems, however, that it is too late to stop any of this. Even if the Mexican army and officials decided to withdraw from the drug war, drug lords would most likely continue to prove their potency by threatening the Mexican government by using hostages, murders and so on.
In no way do I intend to condemn Calderón’s decision to act upon organized crime in Mexico. In fact, I believe it’s about time Mexico regulated its infestation of crime. However, I have to recount the saying “an eye for an eye.” As long as the Mexican government keeps fighting with highly damaging weapons, the drug lords will continue to go above and beyond to survive.
Sonia Guillen is a junior journalism major and an assistant opinions editor for the Summer 49er.
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