In Villa Ahumada, a shootout between gang memebers and the Mexican military broke out. The body count was at 21, adding the total of drug-related violence to 6,000 people this year alone. In addition to the U.S. donations of $400 million, the Mexican military has launched an extra 46,000 troops into the danger zones.
The recent gang wars are becoming a serious threat to not only residents, but also tourists. The economy is already in ruins and if tourism declines, the situation will only get worse.
Many of these drug-related gang wars are taking place in northern Mexico, far from the popular spring break destinations. In light of these current violent events, I stil plan on traveling to Mexico. Mexico may be considered dangerous but the same can be said for any other country.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Gangs threaten Spring breakers
VILLA AHUMADA, Mexico- An SUV loaded with hang grenades, rifles, and bulletproof vests invaded a ranch where a gun battle broke out between gangs and the Mexican army.
The incident, killing 21 people, is not unheard of as a wave of beheadings, grenade attacks and shootings are reoccurring accross much of Mexico's 2,000-mile-long northern boarder. The drung-related violence has takedn the death toll to over 6,000, more than double the previous year.
The town of Villa Ahumada is mostly desert but looking at its location on a map, the town's importance can be seen. It sits next to Highway 45, a straight shot leading to many southern points such as Guatemala and Panama, key areas in drug-trafficking.
Most of the victims have been connected to cartels but reguardless, travelers, especially spring breakers, are being warned. Many colleges, travel agencies and even the U.S. military are discouraging travel to Mexico's boardering areas. This will result in a decline in tourism only adding to the economic crisis.
"It's just one thing after another," says Fidel Chavez, mayor of Villa Ahumada. "First the economy, and now this."
Felipe Calderon, president of Mexico, has launches 46,000 troops throughtout Mexico to help put an end to the violence. The U.S. gave Mexico $400 million in aide but the reoccurring pattern in the drug war says that more money could be in the works.
Gen. Barry McCaffrey, former anti-drug czar during the Clinton administration warned that the Mexican military was in danger of loosing power in some areas. Mexico is now ranked next to Iran as a top security issue to the U.S.
The incident, killing 21 people, is not unheard of as a wave of beheadings, grenade attacks and shootings are reoccurring accross much of Mexico's 2,000-mile-long northern boarder. The drung-related violence has takedn the death toll to over 6,000, more than double the previous year.
The town of Villa Ahumada is mostly desert but looking at its location on a map, the town's importance can be seen. It sits next to Highway 45, a straight shot leading to many southern points such as Guatemala and Panama, key areas in drug-trafficking.
Most of the victims have been connected to cartels but reguardless, travelers, especially spring breakers, are being warned. Many colleges, travel agencies and even the U.S. military are discouraging travel to Mexico's boardering areas. This will result in a decline in tourism only adding to the economic crisis.
"It's just one thing after another," says Fidel Chavez, mayor of Villa Ahumada. "First the economy, and now this."
Felipe Calderon, president of Mexico, has launches 46,000 troops throughtout Mexico to help put an end to the violence. The U.S. gave Mexico $400 million in aide but the reoccurring pattern in the drug war says that more money could be in the works.
Gen. Barry McCaffrey, former anti-drug czar during the Clinton administration warned that the Mexican military was in danger of loosing power in some areas. Mexico is now ranked next to Iran as a top security issue to the U.S.
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