In our weekly radio show, Martin Savidge explores the causes behind Guatemala's chronic malnutrition and escalating narco war. He hosts a panel of guests to discuss the remnants of war and genocide and land rights. Anita Isaacs, Stephen C. “Carlisle” Johnson and Samuel Lowenberg join the conversation. LISTEN NOW!
During the last year, more than 6,000 people have been murdered as a result of Mexico's escalating drug violence. The death toll now exceeds that of the war in Afghanistan.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have acknowledged a shared responsibility for the explosion of violence and flush of kidnappings. Drug violence is particularly acute on U.S.-Mexican border cities like Tijuana or Ciudad Juarez.
In the winter of 2009, Worldfocus correspondent John Larson, along with producers Bryan Myers, Megan Thompson and Ivette Feliciano, traveled to Tijuana to report on the drug-related murders, kidnappings and corruption. The team tried to give a human face to the statistics and break down the popular "narco" subculture that celebrates this widespread violence.
"Mexico's Drug War" is a collection of signature videos, extensive interviews, an online radio show, blogger perspectives and web original videos including an account of one victim's kidnapping.
Mexico's Drug War
Worldfocus Radio
October 7, 2009
Tune in: Radio show on “Guatemala: Behind the famine”
Interview (video)
August 27, 2009
Mexico decriminalizes small amounts of drugs
Last week, the Mexican government announced that it will no longer jail users of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Other countries in the region have taken similar steps. John Walsh of the Washington Office on Latin America discusses the trend.
Interview (video)
August 12, 2009
Corruption hampers Mexico’s battle against drugs
Earlier this week, U.S. President Barack Obama praised what he described as Mexico's "courageous effort" to combat drug trafficking and violence. Andres Martinez of the New America Foundation discusses the drug war and the U.S. role in Mexico.
Peter Eisner (blog)
August 11, 2009
Hollow words as Obama praises Mexico’s war on drugs
At the North American summit in Mexico, U.S. President Barack Obama pledged to continue efforts to reduce U.S. demand for drugs, and to stem the illegal flow of guns across the southern border. But Worldfocus blogger Peter Eisner argues that the promises are just words, and nothing will change.
Interview (video)
August 10, 2009
Obama tackles drugs, flu and trade at Mexico summit
U.S. President Barack Obama joined his Canadian and Mexican counterparts as they completed a summit meeting in Mexico on Monday. Shannon O’Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations discusses the issues tackled, including trade, the H1N1 flu and the drug war.
Peter Eisner (blog)
July 14, 2009
U.S. keeps Mexican drug trafficking on the back burner
As Mexican drug trafficking pushes along, the danger is evident, writes Worldfocus blogger Peter Eisner. But Mexican officials don't want to hear it, and U.S. officials don't want to push the issue too far ahead toward the front burner.
Perspectives
June 1, 2009
Mexican journalists prepare for job with survival training
Approximately 50 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 2000. A Worldfocus contributing blogger in Mexico writes about facing masked guerillas and tear gas in a survival training session for journalists.
Interview (video)
April 16, 2009
Drug violence takes center stage on Obama visit to Mexico
Rodolfo de la Garza of Columbia University discusses Barack Obama's visit to Mexico, where he focused on the issue of drug violence. Some in Mexico blame the drug problem on America's appetite for illegal drugs and its gun laws.
Analysis
April 15, 2009
No room for optimism in Mexico’s war on drugs
U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to venture to Mexico on Thursday for talks with President Felipe Calderon. Worldfocus editorial consultant Peter Eisner argues that unless political leaders are willing to commit to real change and take the resulting flak, it will be impossible to alleviate Mexico's drug problem.
Week in Review (Video)
March 27, 2009
Week in review: Clinton in Mexico, Israel and the Taliban
Gideon Rose of Foreign Affairs magazine and Deborah Amos of National Public Radio discuss the week's top stories: Hillary Clinton's visit to Mexico, Israel's new government and prospects for peace and a troubling new report on ties between Pakistan's intelligence services and the Taliban.
