Chihuahua & the Drug Wars

Chihuahua & the Drug Wars

Since I just spent the last month in Chihuahua, the heart of the drug wars
here in Mexico, I feel just a little obligated to share with you my first-
hand observations and experiences about this difficult time for Northern
Mexico.

2 years ago, Chihuahua, the capital of Chihuahua state, the largest state in
Mexico, was a quiet university town. People were friendly and neighborly and
it was a nice place to be, surrounded by scenic pink desert mountains with a
wonderfully sunny, dry climate. Today however, after two years of vicious
fighting over territories, resulting in THOUSANDS of murders by the various
drug cartels, it is quite the opposite. Bullets and sirens can be regularly
heard over the normal sounds of salsa music, passing cars and singing birds.
Squadrons of pick-ups filled with fully-armed police, sirens flashing,
rushing down the street, are a normal sight. Fear and uncertainty rule the
streets.

I spoke at length with many of the locals, including my friend who was in his
3rd year at Chihuahua State University. Most everyone that has lived in
Chihuahua, including my friend and all of his friends, has witnessed, first
hand people being murdered right in front of them or in their neighborhoods.
Many of them have had close calls, barely missing drive-by shootings.

According to them, 5 people die EVERY DAY due to the drug wars in the city of
Chihuahua alone. 25% of Chihuahua's population is in some way related to the
drug industry, whether is selling, trafficking, or laundering money from
drugs. Many local business owners are terrorized by the cartels as they have
been known to burn down competitor's stores that have been laundering money,
as well as stores that REFUSE to launder money, hurting the surrounding
businesses as well with the violence. In the last year, several stores in a
plaza on the outskirts of town were targeted and burnt down. Many of the
still-standing businesses are struggling to make it as it has scared
customers away. One of the business owners is a family member of my friend.

During one evening when I accompanied my friend to a local bar, he and his
friends often hang out at, I was told that the owner there is facing some
difficulties with some drug dealers. They are demanding that he sell their
drugs in his bar, to which he is refusing. Due to that problem, there are
always several cops outside his bar in an attempt to protect him and it. I
think he is an incredibly brave man and hope that he is kept safe and wins
his personal battle against the drug wars.

Fear is so prevalent that it even affects the local law enforcement and other
social services. Often, there are many jokes about the police and ambulances
as it appears they can sometimes take their time getting to a scene. It is
also said that sometimes hospitals will not help patients that have been shot
as they are afraid that someone will come to the hospital to finish them off.

Many stores are kept locked during business hours and will only be opened to
"normal" looking customers. 24 hour convenient stores operate out of small
1ft square windows in the doors as soon as the sun sets. You are not able to
enter the stores. One of the women I met there was even afraid to drive her
"nice" car around town as sometimes nice cars are hijacked in broad daylight
and stolen by people with guns. She said that you were lucky if only your
car was taken and you were left with your life.

As can be imagined, all the violence Chihuahua has seen has had a devastating
effect on the social atmosphere and has made life very difficult for many.
People are now quiet and introverted, suspicious of everyone. For me, it was
incredibly difficult to strike up a conversation with anyone as everyone was
so guarded.

Regardless, the people of Chihuahua are putting on a brave front and facing
the situation rather than running away from it. As my friend put it, "We
just try to live day by day and focus on the good, enjoying our lives as much
as possible." Myself, as well as everyone else, are hoping that this
situation will not last forever. Someday the peace will return to Chihuahua
and it once more be a great place to live and raise a family.

*Please note that northern Mexico is one of the most dangerous areas
currently for reporters to be. They are targeted and killed. I have been
wanting to write this blog entry for quite some time and even though I am not
a bonfied reporter, I thought it wise to wait till I was out of the area to
post it.