The former governor of Mexican state of Colima was gunned down in his home on the past Sunday morning. Jesus Silverios Cavazos, who left office in November 2009, died of his wounds in a hospital after he was shot by gunmen. While the evidence is still unavailable pending on investigation, it is widely believed that the attack was related to drug cartels. His wife was injured in the attack. President Felipe Calderon condemned the killing as ‘cowardly assassination’. Mexican politicians have been targeted by assassins in states which are home to drug cartels and major smuggling routes because rival gangs battle control over the lucrative business. Cavazos’ assassination has been the latest attack on Mexican politicians wrecked by drug violence.
The murder of Cavazos was predicted in my last blog written in response to the Mexican marines killing the head of a drug cartel Tony Tormenta. But it was out of my expectation that it would come so quickly. I argued that killing the leader of a drug cartel would not be able to effectively resolve the issue of violence related to the Mexican drug cartels because it would do no big harm to the organization and unity of the cartel and revenge would follow targeting on the leaders of the groups responsible for combating drug cartel violence.
It may be interesting to notice that Cavazos was no longer the leader of the force against drug violence when he was assassinated. He left his office about one year ago. The people behind the murderers were very clever to target on a former governor instead of a current governor because it was much easier to do it, given the different security levels on each of the governors. Moreover, they could impose an equal, if not greater, deterrence on those who wish to commit in crushing the drug cartels. If their purpose was achieved, no people would want to take up the responsibility in fighting against drug cartels due to fear of post-office assassination and harm to their family members. Having said so, this tactic of post-office murder is not overwhelmingly discouraging to the potential governors because hopes still remain that the drug violence will be effectively tackled within their natural period of office. Just contrary to deterrence effect aimed by the drug cartels, this tactic might encourage potential governors to elevate their commitment and efforts in cracking down the drug violence.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AK1V320101121?
2 comments:
Any time I read an article about Mexico and the drug cartel I get nervous. It's not like they are on the other side of the world, they're practically our neighbors. We should definitely pay attention to these kinds of events because they may start to effect the United States.
I find it very interesting that this assasination was predicted in your last blog. I have to agree with you in saying that this was a very clever move on the drug cartel's part. It instills fear which seems to work everytime.
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