Outside the Beltway

The Death Toll in Mexico

Steven L. Taylor
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Via the BBC:  Mexico drug war deaths over five years now total 47,515

That number is since 2006 and the escalation of the drug war by President Felipe Calderon.

According to the piece, while the murder rate continues to increase on an annual basis, the growth rate has slowed:

The PGR said that the 11% rise was "a significant decrease" on previous years.

In 2009-2010, murders jumped 70%; 2008-2009 saw a 63% rise and there was a 110% jump in 2007-2008.

But with the 2011 figures running just until September, the overall number of murders could be some 16,000.

But,

However, experts say the decline in killings may be the result of one cartel exerting overall control rather than specific success by the military or police.

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4 responses to “The Death Toll in Mexico”

  1. john personna Avatar
    john personna

    I was just talking to someone ready to go do the Rosarito-Ensenada ride. Not me, not yet.

    (As an aside, imagine my surprise going out to their site and seeing the 2011 poster!)

  2. Eric Avatar
    Eric

    However, experts say the decline in killings may be the result of one cartel exerting overall control rather than specific success by the military or police.

    Interesting. It seems that ONE cartel may be getting overall control and Mexican officials are known to be corrupted by drug cartels.

    Just probably a coincidence.

  3. Jenos Idanian Avatar
    Jenos Idanian

    Of those deaths, at least 200 were from guns supplied to the cartels by the Obama administration through Operation Fast and Furious. Most likely plenty more.

  4. Richard Gardner Avatar
    Richard Gardner

    Why is Iraq so important when next door in Mexico the death rate is similar. I used to regularly read The Borderland Beat until it became way too depressing. I grew up on the border, understand the NW Mexican slang (forget Castillian, don’t know it), but there is no way I’ll go across the border today. I used to go across it as a teenager safely, and while in college. Later when I was working in San Diego I would take visitors to the nice areas of TJ (Country Club and Race Track). I did carry the card of my family’s liscencia (lawyer, sort or) but never had to use it (but I did use la morbida (the bite) = $20 a couple of times).
    The biggest ignorance I see with US folks is not understanding that the farm/kitchen workers are the “Okies” of today. We are seeing their poorest of the poor, hell, many have Spanish as their second language (and English third). A nice mall in Mexico is as fancy at Tysons Corner – just the folks on NorVa don’t have to worry about getting kidnapped on the way home.
    Unfortunately we’re looking at something worse than Iraq at our southern border (anarchy).

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