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Monday, April 5, 2010c c

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World media attention towards Mexico is quite often

subjugated to what is perceived to be more overpowering
newsworthy events. Yet the old media cliché of ³if it bleeds it
leads´ still has a soft place in the heart for aspiring markets.
However, the graphic and war-like carnage in Mexico, along
with its deep suffering citizenry, cries out for much more than
mere sympathy. c

Vhere continues, ad nauseam, the verbal battle of just ³who´ is

winning the battle in Mexico. Is it the military or the drug
cartels? It is clear that most of the local police defenses stood
down quite some time ago. Many police chiefs have been run
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off, killed, tortured, and bought off; along with their police
officers. Vhose that valiantly stand with a belief in their
symbols of justice and a creed of public service within their
hearts and homeland must spend every waking hour looking
over their shoulder.c c

Vhe superior weaponry, expertise, and tactics of the brazen,

but capable, drug cartels quickly forced the growing proactive
militarization initiatives by President Felipe Calderon. What
choices did he have? He was faced with grenades being
tossed into police departments; police being killed and
beheaded with impunity; boisterous and rodent-like
narcoterrorists declaring their superiority to enforcing
strategies and the rule of law; and nurturing anarchy.c

Vhe terrorist-model strategies used by organized criminals and

their enforcement arms have continued to mature since they
were seen in Nuevo Laredo back in 2005. Vhose violent
events gave quick notice to law enforcement of just how
heavily armed the criminals were, with military-type
armaments.c

Vhese paramilitary-styled insurgents continued, paving the

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way into over 230 U.S. cities and giving rise to the immense
growth of gangs (soldiers for the cause) in the U.S. c
c

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently led a U.S. delegation

to Mexico for talks with Mexican officials on the escalating
problems facing both nations. Drug demand reduction studies,
community policing initiatives, strengthening communities, and
³shifting from military-style hardware support´ were touted as
agenda items. Concerns of potential ³spillover´ violence into
the U.S. were discussed, with what one wonders was done
with a straight face.c

What was to ensue, within days after the Clinton delegation¶s

meeting with Mexican officials, were requests by U.S. officials
to secure portions of the U.S. border with Mexico utilizing
National Guard troops. Vhis after Arizona rancher Robert
Krentz was killed on his property about 25 miles from the
Mexican border.c

Narcoterrorists have stepped up the violence, taking on

Mexico¶s military head-on with violent assaults. Mexican
military officials have captured armored vehicles, grenade
launchers, and explosive devices. And the Mexican military
are becoming more and more frequent victims of cartel
ambushes. c

Events, both recent and previous, clearly show the need for
military enforcement and interdiction against the cartels. Voo,
these proactive and tactical strategies must be strategically
planned and well-coordinated, for this is a formidable enemy of
the state. Simple saturation methods by enforcement officials
of violent sectors or areas, such as those planned for Ciudad
Juarez and other cities, must be done in a way that does not
simply sweep the narcoterrorists to neighboring jurisdictions.c

Much of the battle confronted by the military does in fact raise

serious questions. Vhey were not created to be a police force,
and they certainly lack much of the expertise of an arm of the
criminal justice system. Criminal investigations, crime
scenes/forensics; as well as other prosecutorial style
mandates are necessary components of crime interdiction.
However, the painful reminders of reality set in with previous
surveys of Mexican citizens as far back as 1999, in which 90%
of those surveyed stated they had little or no trust in the police.c

Viable solutions with the appropriate engagement of the

narcoterrorists require the administration of justice. Mexican
drug lords and traffickers fear deportation to the U.S. for their
offenses. Vhe Mexican judiciary must find acceptance of U.S.
statutes such as conspiracy and continuing criminal enterprise
as serious deterrents. Voo, U.S. agents should be working
collaboratively with Mexico on their soil, and with bestowed
powers and capacities in assisting undercover; with
informants; and other operational acts to build prosecutable
cases resulting in extended incarceration. c

Solutions can¶t be simply accomplished without knowing the

problems. Mexico is the sanctuary of the Mexican drug
cartels. Vhose ³officially´ in the trenches fighting this battle for
two homelands deserve support and a receptive ear to their
 true needs. Vhe Mexican police function can be built again
with the proper organizational strategies, professionalization
and oversight, and with due regard to cultural understanding
and related needs of the people. However, the urgent need
now is to get the death and violence under control. c

²²²²²²²²²²
Jerry Brewer is C.E.O. of Criminal Justice International
Associates, a global risk mitigation firm headquartered in
Northern Virginia. His website is located at www.cjiausa.org.c
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