Mexico is caught up in a battle with drug gangs that has killed tens of thousands. The country is watching California and an upcoming vote on drug legalization as some wonder if it could be one way to stop the bloodshed.
Ever since Mexican President Felipe Calderon mobilized the army four years ago in an all-out war on the country's drug gangs, almost 30,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence - and the situation does not appear to be getting any better.
In early August, former President Vicente Fox called for the full legalization of all drugs in Mexico, saying it would cut the financial pipelines of illicit drug-trafficking groups.
Mexico is awash in a sea of drug-related violence and many Mexicans feel helpless in the face of the increasing brutality that is touching increasing numbers of them. At the beginning of this month, 21-year-old Lucila Ocanas was killed in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey when she was caught in the crossfire during a battle between police and drug traffickers.
"The government has got to be able to do something about this," said Ocanas' mother, calling on security forces to negotiate with drug traffickers or for officials to legalize drugs in order to put a stop to this lucrative, illicit business.
"If someone wants to die from taking drugs, he should be able to do that. It's his decision," she said.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Mexico debates legalizing drugs although president rejects idea
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