Mexico at War

I was stunned when I read that over 7,000 people have been killed in a little over 2 years in Mexico. This is as a result of the Mexican government's decision to take a principled stand against the drug trafficking and the killing and corruption that go along with it.

With a population over 100 million people, there are nearly 50,000 troops and police engaged in this battle. Mexico is trying to break free from a culture of corruption and greed that has affected all of Mexico. There is some worry that this war may spill over into the USA border states.We have a friend in Culiacan, Mexico. In 2008, that area alone saw over 800 people killed.

The mayor of Ciudad Juarez, Jose Reyes Ferriz, said he “knew that some families had left to live in El Paso out of fear of the city’s violence,” but said that he had no figures.

Ciudad Juarez is the battleground in the power struggle between the Sinaloa and the Juarez drug cartels.

In escalating violence, the city of some 1.5 million has registered some 800 homicides so far this year.

That would be the equivalent of approximately 1000 killed in Greater Vancouver (GV)!! Can you imagine if 2-3 people per day were being murdered in GV? It's just mind-boggling.

When I read stories like this I usually have a couple of reactions. 1. Sad that many innocent people are killed in the crossfire of drug and gang wars. 2. Admiration and prayer for the government that will do what it takes to make their city safe. After all, that is a primary job of government. We have our own issues in Vancouver area with the UN gang and the Bacon brothers of Abbotsford, but nothing like this. We have much to be thankful for in Canada. Even being able to vote this past week without fear or intimidation - we are blessed. Besides it being our near neighbour, we also know missionaries there and have friends there. Please, let's keep Mexico in our prayers.

The LA Times has a full feature on it here.