A Dire Situation in Mexico

By Michael Vigil

Mike Vigil is the former Chief of International Operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration. He is one of the most highly decorated agents within the agency and was responsible for numerous multi-national operations, the largest involved 36 countries. He was also responsible for developing global intelligence sharing platforms. He is the author of DEAL and Metal Coffins: The Blood Alliance Cartel and Narco Queen.  He is also the author of The Land of Enchantment Cartel.  Vigil was made an honorary General by the government of Afghanistan and given the key to the city of Shanghai by China. He was also given an Admiral’s sword by the former president of the Dominican Republic, Hipolito Mejia.

Kidnappings in Mexico continue to increase, particularly in the states of Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Morelos, Puebla, Zacatecas, and Tabasco.  Although the Interior Ministry reported a 2.1 percent drop in 2016 compared to 2015, the methodology—or lack thereof—leaves a lot to be desired.  Statistics, like those reporting homicides, are hidden or obscured through the clever manipulation of classification.  Frequently, kidnappings are labeled as something less egregious, such as deprivation of liberty.  Additionally, a high number of abductions go unreported, because victims are scared of repercussions if they go to the police. 

In the past, criminal groups focused on the very wealthy—corporate heads, landowners, bankers, et cetera.  That has all changed in recent years, and now the primary targets are workers, such as hotdog vendors, small shop owners, farmers, cab drivers, and lottery ticket sellers.  The common dominator is that they all work with cash on a daily basis.  Many of the victims also tend to be young and, importantly, have parents who are willing to pay ransom demands. 

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