Mexico's Cartel War -- January 25, 2009

President-elect Barack Obama and Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon view paintings during their meeting at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington. Photo from Mexican Presidential Office

Darkening Days In Juarez -- Houston Chronicle

Many fear Mexican city's drug violence puts nation at risk of collapse

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — In this carnage-racked border city of 1.3 million, more than 80 murders have been clocked in the past three weeks, and kidnappings, extortions, robberies and rapes further bedevil an already rattled population.

So far, the new year looks to be bringing as much, if not more, havoc than the last.

“Walking in the streets of Juarez is an extreme sport,” said political scientist Tony Payan, an expert on border violence, repeating a grim quip making the rounds.

Though little more than 1 percent of Mexico’s 105 million population lives in Juarez, it accounted for almost one-third of the country’s nearly 5,400 gangland murders last year, according to the federal government. And with President Felipe Calderon’s war on the country’s powerful drug syndicates unlikely to abate, this city bordering El Paso looks to remain a prime battleground.

Read more ....

More News On Mexico's Cartel Wars

Calderon seeks to dispel talk of 'failing state' -- L.A. Times
Grave warnings in U.S. about Mexico's future -- Statesman
'Collapse' overstates Mexico situation -- El Paso Times
More restrictions placed on travel to Mexico -- Marine Times
Thirteen shot dead in northern Mexico -- AFP
Mexican government corruption hampers anti-drug operations -- Examiner
Top Mexico cops charged with favoring drug cartel -- Newsweek