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Mexico’s War on Drugs Leads to War on Streets

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Mexico’s War on Drugs Leads to War on Streets ()

In December, President Felipe Calderon called up the Army to cope with feuding drug cartels that have corrupted local police.  Since then, there’s been an increase of violence migrating from rural states to Mexico City. Some fear the Army itself is at risk from the same drug lords who’ve corrupted local police; others blame soldiers for abuses of human rights. One of the drug cartels has its own military operation—formed in part by Army deserters. Is Calderon making things better or worse?  Does he have any choice?  What is the responsibility of the US, where the drug dealers find their market?  Hector Tobar, Mexico City Bureau Chief for the Los Angeles Times, joins us with the latest news. 

Guests:
  • Hector Tobar: Mexico City Bureau Chief for the Los Angeles Times
  • Jorge Chabat: Professor of International Studies at CIDE

Reporter's Notebook

Jimmy Carter v. the Bush White House ()

Once again, former President Carter stirred a political hornets’ nest when he said, “I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history.”  He was talking about the Bush Administration this weekend to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The Bush White House called Carter not just “sad,” but “irrelevant.”  Today, in New Orleans he was asked for clarification.

Guests:

Making News

Dozens Slain as Lebanese Army Fights Islamic Militants ()

Lebanese troops and tanks have surrounded a Palestinian refugee camp just south of Tripoli, and continued the artillery shelling that killed 50 people yesterday.  Some 30,000 people live in the Nahr al-Bared camp, but the troops are after a group called Fatah Islam, whose leader says he was inspired by Osama bin Laden.  Our guest Hassan Fattah is in Tripoli for the New York Times. 

Guests:
  • Hassan Fattah: Middle East Correspondent for the New York Times

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