Leaked Cables Show Drug War Concerns

While it may just prove what we already know, WikiLeaks’ gold mine of information has birthed yet another gem. It seems the U.S. is worried about the prospects of Mexico’s fight against its rampant drug trade, describing the army there as “risk averse” and official corruption as widespread. –JCL

BBC:

The US is concerned that the Mexican army is failing in its fight against drug cartels, according to diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks.

A cable sent by the US embassy in Mexico City in January 2010 described the army as “slow and risk averse.”

It said troops were not trained to patrol the streets or gather evidence to convict those detained.

However, the cables praise the Mexican government for its “unprecedented commitment” to take on the drugs gangs.

But the fight is being hampered by widespread “official corruption” and a lack of co-ordination.

Read more