Mexico's president says he won't fight drug cartels on US orders, calls it a 'Mexico First' policy
Mexico’s president says he won’t fight drug cartels on U.S. orders, in the clearest explanation yet of his refusal to confront the gangs.
Sounds like the proper answer is to legalize the drugs, nationalize the cartel's, and call the US drug policy out for the farce it is.
nationalize the cartel
You and what army?
Mexico is pretty socially conservative, I think. I can't see that happening.
They are, and normally I'd agree with you, but they just recently legalized abortion and that SHOCKED me. So who knows?! Mexico might do anything!
Technically, Mexico has had only two presidents from a right-wing party. Before, they were from the centrist party. The current president is a very well known leftist.
The country was bombarded with religion for centuries, so maybe you are thinking of that, but even so, the majority support a version of religion that mixes a "social concern for the poor and political liberation for oppressed peoples" with spirituality. It is similar to the recent declarations of Pope Francis about Marxists and Christians having a common goal It is called liberation theology.
Also, Mexico tried to legalize drugs back in 1940. It was promoted by a psychiatrist that informed the government that substance abuse was a mental disorder, which was very progressive for the era. Here is the story.
Of course, if you dig deeper, you'll know the United States basically coerced Mexico into criminalizing drugs again.
Around half the population still supports drug legalization, even after years of propaganda. The commenter below was shocked about abortion legalization. Abortion is legal in many places. Same-sex marriage is also legal, even in some more right-leaning states. A couple years ago, a transgender clinic with free care was opened in Mexico City. Similarly, free healthcare and many other welfare initiatives such as free education (including universities) are common and not negotiable for the average Mexican.
So, yeah, I guess you'll find homophobic old people, religious nuts, or lately, U.S.-influenced right-wing supporters, but Mexico is overall progressive as I see it. Even historically:
Slave abolition was one of the first things Mexico did as an independent country, around 1810-1817. The first black president in 1829. Safe place for U.S. slaves to escape and live as free people during the 19th century. First native (indigenous) president in 1858. The Constitution has been protecting native populations' rights since 1917. During the 20th century, there were big movements in favor of socialism (e.g., agrarian socialists called zapatistas, or students' movements in the National Autonomous University of Mexico). The list goes on... The first woman president is probably happening this year.
I hope this puts things into perspective, and sorry for infodumping!
Legalize fentanyl?
The reason fentanyl is so prevalent is because it's easy to smuggle. The reason it's so deadly is it's hard to accurately dose. Legalization immediately solves both of those problems.
How many bus full of Mexicans must get slaughtered before he will fight them on behalf of Mexicans?
It really seems like he has been fighting them, at least significantly more than previous presidents
How is this “fight” being represented? I ask, because in more than one occasion he’s been seen being close to El Chapo’s mother, do you mean he’s “fighting” cartels by negotiating with them? Or does this fight mean rather things like shouting “more hugs, less shootings”, or his menacing “I’ll tell on you to your mothers!” to the cartels?
Fighting them is gonna cause way more bus loads to die then just leaving them be. The cartels aren't evil psychopaths who kill for fun, they know violence is bad for business. The only downside to leaving them alone is they'll send more drugs to the u.s which isn't Mexico's problem.
In June 2023, he said of one drug gang that had abducted 14 police officers: “I’m going to tell on you to your fathers and grandfathers,” suggesting they should get a good spanking.
Didn't expect to read that in an AP article.
If there's a better policy that helps Mexico as a whole which isn't what the US wants, I'd love to hear it. Something tells me "not fighting drug cartels" isn't it.
Mexico should build a wall and get the US to pay for it and Make Mexico Great Again.
Oh, wait....
Operation Reciprocity when?
LOL, I feel that one. That novel is where I learned the word.
Time for Bukele to conquer mexico and bring order there.
He is a demagogue through and through, all his term has been a joke and he has been fluffed up by his minions telling him what a wonderful man he is. Barf!
Real State Department-poisoned take for someone who claims to not be in the US.
I have the feeling you were born and raised in the US and have never experienced life outside your own town/ city and just spew your opinion about places and situations you know absolutely nothing about. So let me enlighten your narrow anglo vision a bit:
Have you ever lived through something like what is described in the article? Have you ever experienced what a narcoestado entails? Have you ever been in a protest along searching mothers outside Palacio Nacional because ten thousand people disappeared in your country due to organized crime for this fool to keep having breakfast saying "they only want to destabilize my regime" and not even acknowledge your presence? Have you ever been blackmailed and had to pay organized crime to keep your business open for this president to say "abrazos, no balazos" ( hugs, not bullets)? Has anyone from your family been kidnapped for ransom money? If so, did you get help from governement agencies? With all of the above, how would you feel about your president saying the things in the article? I have experienced all of the above scenarios so kindly, stfu.
