While Mexico is not a failed state by any means, it does possess the characteristics associated with a classic “narco- state” like Colombia. That is, it’s faced with a prolonged and protracted “narco-insurgency”, has a highly corrupt judicial system, and also contains a “home grown” narcotics -drugs’ production, distribution industry, which operates both within and beyond its borders. There is that dreaded “spill-over” effect of the conflict fueled buy the drugs and guns trade.
Simply because the narcotics traffickers would be foolish not to take advantage, or ruthlessly exploit, the increasing inter-dependency in trade and commercial activity, or an increased integration of the continent into what is officially known as the NAU (” North American Union”). North America, therefore risks becoming “narcofied” in the not too distant future.
Professor Geroge W. Grayson’s College of William and Mary Mexico academic warns that in this perilous context there’s a chance the Mexican government might be forced to cede power to the narcotic’s syndicates. And thus a regime of “dual sovereignty” might emerge. Grayson describes this hybrid polity, by referring to a classic work by Crane Burton called “The Anatomy of a Revolution”, as state where the government remains in “control of certain political, economic, social and cultural areas,” while at the same time, ” abdicating responsibility and domination of organized crime to others…” A possibility which most U.S and Canadian officials or anti-narcotics specialists , including many in the law enforcement community , might not relish. And least of all, the Mexicans themselves who are caught in the crossfire of this conflict. They are terrorized and besieged by state para-military and federal army troops, while also being subjected to drug- war related violence in their neighborhoods and streets almost routinely these days.
Title: “Is Mexico a Narco-State?”
Author: Michael Werbowski
Source: Global Research, 3/29/11
URL: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=19430
Student Researcher: Erica Chavez, Sonoma state University
Faculty Advisor: Peter Phillips, Sonoma State University