*Updated Mar. 7, 2014*
Guadalajara -
The Mexican news site SinEmbargo.com reports that this country led the world in kidnappings for ransom during the 12 month period which ended Sept. 30. (Also: Virtual kidnappings plague Mexico).
Following Mexico, in order, were India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Venezuela. In 2012 Mexico was in second place, just below Nigeria.
The 10 Mexican states with the highest percentage of kidnappings per capita are Chihuahua, Coahuila, Michoacán, Morelos, Guerrero, Veracruz, Durango, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Jalisco.
SinEmbargo's report was based upon an analysis by the private security consulting agency Control Risks and an interview with officials of that company, who attributed the problem not only to the presence of major drug cartels like Los Zetas, the Gulf Cartel and Los Caballeros Templarios, but to hundreds of independent gangs as well. Mexican drug cartels will likely morph into "super gangs," says U.S. security firm.
One year ago Mexico's attorney general Jesús Murillo Karam reported the nation has an estimated 60-80 cartels. In addition to narcotics trafficking, they earn huge revenues from commercial extortion and kidnapping for ransom. Cancún Zetas extort even street vendors, and run sex trade, too.
The Mexican drug war, now in its 84th month, was launched in December 2006. Enrique Peña Nieto at one year: a marathon, not a sprint.
According to press and government agency reports during 2013, organized crime violence continues to claim more than 1,500 lives per month. Are 1,555 drug war deaths a month encouraging?
July 12, 2013 - U.S. State Dept. warns American travelers about kidnapping risks in Mexico: "The number of kidnappings and disappearances throughout Mexico is of particular concern. Both local and expatriate communities have been victimized. In addition, local police have been implicated in some of these incidents. We strongly advise you to lower your profile and avoid displaying any evidence of wealth that might draw attention."
Dec. 21 - Presiding over a meeting of Mexico's National Public Security Council yesterday, president Enrique Peña Nieto acknowledged Mexico has a problem with kidnappings. He said he has instructed secretary of government Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong to devise a package of specific anti-kidnapping strategies, which will debut in January. What form those proposals may take the president offered not a clue.
Jan. 28, 2014 - Mexico' s anti-kidnapping plan: long on speeches, short on specifics
Apr. 21, 2014 - Mexican Senate passes kidnapping penalty of 140 years
Related content
Dec. 30 - El secuestro y la extorsión superan al plan de seguridad del gobierno
Dec. 16 - Kidnappings surged 33% in Mexico in 2013
Dec. 12 - Mexican domestic security evaluation on the way, says top PRI government official
Dec. 6 - Body count continues at newly discovered narco burial site in Guadalajara outskirts
Nov. 16 - Mass grave by Jalisco's Lake Chapala held 67 remains
July 10 - In Guadalajara, 20 local gangs work with organized crime
Apr. 14 - Eight found executed in Cancún; taxi drivers suspected
Apr. 11 - Mexico's troublesome policías comunitarias will prompt some to argue Failed State theories
Mar. 22 - Cancún under "Red Alert," while authorities focus on local Los Zetas-Gulf Cartel links
Mar. 19 - Q.R. prosecutor confirms: expanding Gulf Cartel behind three recent Riviera Maya atrocities
Feb. 1 - HRW's latest condemnation of Mexican drug war reveals how little it understands conflict
Feb. 1 - Yucatán safety continues to be subject of hot debate
Jan. 30 - All the familiar weapons used in latest assassination of Jalisco police chief - as kidnappings a la Cassez continue
Dec. 31, 2012 - Venezuela faces huge homicide rate, 80% committed by firearms
Oct. 23, 2012 - Crime gangs which are replacing drug cartels will be difficult to track and fight
Apr. 30, 2012 - Economic inequality the primary cause of Mexico's insecurity, says López Obrador
Jan. 3, 2012 - Armored clothing may prove to be fashion rage with Mexican office seekers in 2012
© MGRR 2013. All rights reserved. This article may be cited or briefly quoted with proper attribution or a hyperlink, but not reproduced without permission.
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