Mexico witnessed an astonishing 69 murders in a single day on Saturday, in a gruesome sign that the country's notorious drug wars are showing no signs of slowing down.
The grisly record comes just after authorities put the number of drug-related killings for 2009 at around 6,500, according to the Associated Press. That's at least 2,000 more than the number of civilians killed in the Iraq War last year, according to the BBC.
It was the worst year of bloodshed since President Felipe Calderon declared war on the drug cartels in late 2006, deploying 45,000 troops into the streets to take them on.
The violence, according to the Associated Press, is also becoming more gruesome. Last week, authorities found a soccer ball with the torn-off face of a man sewn to it.
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Mexico's Drug War Death Tally in 2009 Eclipses Civilian Deaths in Iraq
Rob Kuznia -- HispanicBusiness.com
Source: HispanicBusiness.com (c) 2010. All rights reserved.
Total Comments: 2 | Pending Comments: 0
BethsRedShoes
1/13/2010 7:06:39 AM PST
I grew up in El Paso, TX & although we did most of our shopping on Ft Bliss, we would travel to Juarez every month and shop for extras we never could have afforded elsewhere. I remember watching the Butcher cutting our meats in a gleaming clean shop. Birthday party decorations, cookies, delicious fruits, etc, etc. Our bland existence in white America was brightened by the color and excitement south of the border. Now when we visit my sister in Las Cruces, we avoid the border out of necessity. It saddens us all that we may never be able to experience Mexico as she once was again. I fear for those good people who are in the midst of it, & often worry even for my sister's family's safety near the border.
PEEWEE
1/12/2010 1:57:48 PM PST
I'm a 70 year old Laredo, Tx business man. Lived here all my life. It was great fun traveling into Mexico by car with my parents. We traveled all over... played golf and went fishing all in many cities and towns. I would love to be able to take trips like that with my children and grand kids. But, I'm sorry to say that it doesn't look like I'll ever be able to do it. What a shame... what a shame.
