Mexico's March drug war tally was 1,025 dead, with Jalisco state in fourth place nationwide

On average, 35 persons died every day last month from drug cartel and organized crime violence, and more than one law enforcement officer every day - while PRI government says "things are looking up"

*Updated Apr. 12*
Guadalajara -
Mexico's Institutional Revolutionary Party government began its fourth month in office yesterday, and it already understands that victory in the 76 month old drug war will require a marathoner's endurance.

Deaths directly attributable to cartel and organized crime violence - not common crime - averaged 33 a day last month, the reliable Milenio news network reported Monday in its March recap. That's about the same rate the PRI administration of president Enrique Peña Nieto has had to deal with since Dec. 1, the day he began his single, 72 month term.

Milenio says that 3,919 persons were killed in drug war violence in the first 120 days of Peña Nieto's watch. So far this year 2,937 have died, 1,025 of them last month.

Nationwide there were 982 drug war deaths in December, 957 in January and 956 in February.

While the numbers have not soared, neither have they decreased even slightly. Ominously, March was the first month to record more than a thousand narco murders, as the press here calls them.

In a state by state tally for January and February, Jalisco found itself in fourth place among Mexico's 32 entities, with 212 organized crime homicides. Since Jan. 1 the state which many consider the cultural heart of Mexico has seen several public officials executed, and has recorded the deaths of two North Americans. Death toll in Guadalajara bar attacks rises to seven. Jalisco's stats for the first 60 days of this year were higher than for the same period in 2012.

Jalisco was proceeded on the list by Guerrero (Acapulco), the State of Mexico and Chihuahua. Guerrero has faced many security challenges in 2013, including international travel warnings. Spain issues new alert for Mexico. Sinaloa, a frequent victim of violence by the cartel of the same name, was in fifth place, with 184 murders in the first 60 days of the year - more than three every 24 hours.

The states of Baja California Sur and Yucatán will share bragging rights for being the only two of Mexico's 32 separate entities to report no organized crime homicides in either January or February (Yucatán safety continues to be subject of hot debate).

Milenio reported today that in 2012, 20,555 people were murdered nationwide, 1,180 in Jalisco. The Peña Nieto government is following the same military-dependent strategy of the previous National Action Party administration of president Felipe Calderón Hinojosa. Washington Post has high praise for Enrique Peña Nieto. The head of Mexico's Federal Police said today that units are being deployed to regions where the country's 60-80 drug cartels are particularly active. Refuerza Policía Federal su presencia en zonas del narco.

Apr. 7 - In the first three months of 2013, Jalisco reported 443 homicides: 155 in January, 133 in February and 155 in March. Overall, 69% (305) of the 443 murders were organized crime or drug war related. The remaining 31% were routine offenses against the fuera comun which caused someone's death: robberies and street crime, fights, intra-family violence, etc.

Apr. 9 - Mexico's Secretary of Government, Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, is the single most powerful appointee in the government of president Enrique Peña Nieto. While in Guadalajara today he said that the administration is well aware of what is happening in Jalisco, and has a plan to deal with the rising violence in the city and throughout the state. Osorio Chong said that Jalisco would not be left to its own devices, and promised more federal funds and resources. But he gave no clue as to the plan.

Apr. 10 - Things are actually getting better, reasoned the new government in a press conference today, after reporting that 4,249 people died in drug war and organized crime violence during Peña Nieto's first 120 days in office - an average of more than 35 per day. That number is 330 more than reported by Milenio, and is the second time this year the network has understated the official tally, which should satisfy some who think the administration's stats are loaded. Among the dead were 184 law enforcement officers, most of them local or state police. Many will see little cause for optimism. Según Gobernación la violencia va a la baja.

Apr. 12 - The federal government once again contradicted Milenio today, reporting that March drug war deaths were 1,101 - 76 more than the network reported 10 days ago. If SEGOB is making up these numbers - very doubtful - they're certainly not doing any favors to the new PRI administration. The March tally included 40 law enforcement officers murdered, well over one every day, which has been a constant since Enrique Peña Nieto took office Dec. 1. Homicidios dolosos: recuento oficial.

Apr. 11 - Mexico's troublesome policías comunitarias will prompt some to argue Failed State theories
Apr. 10 - Peña mantiene estrategia de seguridad de Calderón: Madero
Apr. 7 - Mexican states will spend $1.17 billion on security in 2013
Jan. 8 - More attacks on Jalisco police; state homicides increase
Nov. 30 - Milenio claims nearly 59,000 died on Calderón's watch




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100 police officers and soldiers killed in PRI's first 90 days

Human Rights Watch's condemnation of Mexican drug war reveals how little it understands conflict

EPN: no option but to follow Calderón strategy

Mexican narco violence stats after first month of new PRI administration not encouraging

Enrique's challenging homework

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