Item (1) was the headline in the 6 June 2010 edition of the newspaperExcelsior that greeted me as I disembarked upon arrival at the México City airport last night. Loosely translated it says, 'Drug trafficking has infected the Valley of México,' (the México City area). It served as an unpleasant reminder to this gringo that the 'drug war' in México is not confined to the USA border. In the USA those of us who live far from the border tend to hear mainly about the situation in Ciudad Juárez and environs.
The story documented a feud - war, really - that has erupted between former members of a single cartel that broke apart when its leader died.
But that wasn't what piqued my interest. It was the companion story about the drug violence that has now 'infected' Central America, in particular, the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.Very enlightening, but thoroughly discouraging.
Another gruesome by-product of of the USA's insatiable desire for drugs.
I have not been here since about 1995. The smog is still here and the skyline is a little more apparent when the smog is not too thick. . .
Lastly, a word to the wise: avoid wearing or carrying any items that bear the word 'Arizona' when going through Méxican immigration and customs. It's even worse than being French.
And the taxi driver asked me if Oregon was close to Arizona. Not when I departed, I replied.
"Poor México, so far from God, so close to the United States." --Porfirio Diaz
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