Blog 11: Mass Graves in Mexico

Global Crime: Mass Graves in Mexico
Kaitlyn Toomes
April 8, 2011

Criminal Violence in Mexico Leads to Mass Grave

Another thirteen victims have been found after an investigation into kidnapped bus passengers lead authorities to a group of mass graves in the northeastern region of Mexico. Although the remains have yet to be identified "the bodies are thought to be those of Mexican residents." The new discovery brings the total body count of these mass graves to seventy-two. So far "officials have arrested eleven people suspected of the crime and were able to rescue five hostages." This development comes in the wake of criticism from Amnesty International about how, and if, Mexico is doing enough to keep "their residents and tourists safe." Amnesty International feels that "Mexico is failing in efforts to lower criminal activity and those responsible for such violent acts are rarely punished for their crimes."

I found this article to be extremely disturbing. It left me wondering how and why these mass murders were able to take place to begin with. The world is highly aware of Mexico's fight against organized drug cartels, but is the world really knowledgeable to the extent of innocent lives being lost in this fight? Where is the Mexican government and what, if anything, are they doing to stop these deaths? Unfortunately, many of the government officials in office are in the pockets of these drug cartels and the few that are truly against the crimes being committed seem to go missing just as Mexican citizens do. Seventy-two lives have been taken and I would wager that is still just a small amount compared to all the deaths due to these drug cartels. I think Amnesty International needs to step in, or at least help draw up a plan, to help Mexican citizens regain control over Mexico. This social problem is definitely solvable, it is just going to take a lot of effort to turn this situation around.

Source:
http://www.ecanadanow.com/world/2011/04/08/criminal-violence-in-mexico-leads-to-mass-graves/
(I was having a hard time getting Blogger to let me hyperlink)