Narco wars leave trail of bodies across Mexico’s southwest

Eleven people were found shot to death around Mexico’s conflicted southwest, some bearing signs of torture and left with threatening “narco-messages.”

Mexico, US pledge new era of cooperation against cartels

Meeting with Eric Holder, Janet Napolitano and other Obama administration officials in Cuernavaca, Mexican leaders pledged a new era of bilateral cooperation against the drug cartels.

Mexican senate approves pre-conviction property seizures in narco cases

The Mexican Senate passed an amendment to the country’s constitution that would permit seizure of property from suspected drug traffickers and other criminals prior to conviction.

Mexico: US backpedals on “failed state” claim

National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair, contradicting a recent Pentagon report, told reporters in Washington: “Mexico is in no danger of becoming a failed state.”

Agent Orange strategy for Mexican border?

The US Border Patrol intends to employ a chemical herbicide to eradicate Carrizo cane, an invasive plant that provides convenient cover for undocumented border crossers and smugglers.

Mexico: indigenous protests in Oaxaca

About 25,000 members of the indigenous Movement of Triqui Unification and Struggle (MULT) marched in Oaxaca City to demand that the government open talks on rights violations in the state.

Mexico: does the US own Banamex?

Mexico’s Finance Secretariat ruled that due to the crisis, exceptions can be made to a law banning foreign governments from owning Mexican banks—a reference to Citibank-owned Banamex.

Narco-imbroglio mires NAFTA trade

The US Justice Department filed lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad Co. March 18 seeking $37 million in damages for allegedly failing to prevent its rail cars from being used to smuggle drugs into the country. US customs inspectors on at… Read moreNarco-imbroglio mires NAFTA trade

Mexico claims blows against Gulf, Sinaloa cartels

In a boost for President Felipe Calderón’s military strategy against Mexico’s warring narco gangs, soldiers arrested two top cartel leaders—including one accused of attacking a US consulate.

Mexico tops agenda for new Drug Czar

Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske was nominated the new drug czar, with Vice President Joe Biden identifying the war on the Mexican cartels as the top priority.

Mullen mulls Mexico intervention

President Obama was briefed by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen about Mexico’s drug wars, calling for urgent military and intelligence aid in the war against the cartels.

Mexico: more army troops to Juárez in wake of prison massacre

Nearly 7,000 Mexican soldiers and federal police arrived in Ciudad Juárez, as 20 inmates were killed in a turf war between rival gangs at a Chihuahua state prison in the border city.