'Their Business is Dominating Other People'

Now this is getting scary. Predictable, but scary nonetheless:

"Mexico: Cartels Move Beyond Drugs, Seek Domination" (Associated Press)

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- President Felipe Calderon said Wednesday that Mexico's cartels in many cases have moved beyond drugs as their main money-earner and are even trying to supplant the government in parts of the country.

Speaking at an anti-crime conference, Calderon said gangs are imposing fees like taxes in towns they dominate, extorting money from both legitimate and unauthorized businesses.

''This has become an activity that defies the government, and even seeks to replace the government,'' he said. ''They are trying to impose a monopoly by force of arms, and are even trying to impose their own laws.''

Calderon said cartels may even be taking money from churches. ''I do not doubt that they are also extorting money from priests and pastors in this country,'' he said.

Drugs are becoming less of a focus for the gangs, he said.

''Their main business is not anymore even drug trafficking, sometimes,'' Calderon said. ''Their business is dominating other people.''

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Comments

[dearieme]

That's roughly how the Anglo-Saxons took over England from the Romano-British. Never mind; in just 1500 years the standard of living was restored.

[El cid]

You guys are missing a big point. From the average mexican citizen's perpective (this also goes for a large part of the world and it's coming/arrived to the US see Goldman/ BP/etc...) The "legal" government is so corrupted & benefits only a small well connected sect that the choice it's not between a "government" and a criminal paramilitary gang, but between criminal paramilitary gangs.

[sam, forex trading course coach]

It was the "illegality" of drugs that made them their fortunes, now they will use it against the people.. drugs should have never been illegal, they just create a balck market with astronomical profits and no regulations..