This war on drugs is now really getting out of control. We have to get out of our state of denial and recognize that there is a problem and that we, as a society, have to confront it.
It is not about giving a hard time to the president, that’s just politics and of the worst kind. Truth is that he didn’t kill anybody.
It is neither about blaming the US for it’s addiction to drugs and guns. That’s just being hypocritical.
To address concerns of travel to Mexico, it is time to say what we all know: It is unfounded. Not traveling to Puerto Vallarta because of the attack in Monterrey, is like not going to Vegas because of violent acts happening in Chicago or LA.
Statistics don’t lie, and even with the so-called war on drugs at its height, most Mexican cities have lower homicide rates than many cities in the US and other parts of the world.
Nevertheless, we have a problem. But our problem is not that some uncivilized people decided to put a casino on fire. Our problem is that we haven’t built a fair and inclusive society.
This is not to take the blame away from the murderers. But it is true that in a fairer society, an equal-opportunities one, where the justice system is functional and the authorities are part of the solution, not of the problem, criminals would at least think twice before becoming so unbelievably cruel.
But somehow, without eluding any responsibility, we have to include the international community. The war on drugs is an international problem and it is incredible that we have come to such a degree of globalization in commerce and economics, but not in security.
Mexico is trapped in a conundrum where there are only three plausible outcomes:
1. Mexican authorities realize that they can’t win the war on drugs by themselves, without including the US in a concerted effort to reduce consumption, and decide to go back to the past and pretend that nothing happens. They will just look the other way, to avoid unpleasant scenes like that one in Monterrey. Con: Freewheeling criminals.
2. Mexican authorities realize that they can’t win the war on drugs by themselves, without including the US in a concerted effort to reduce consumption, and decide to legalize or decriminalize. Con: It will only send the problem North of the border, and it won’t make Americans happy.
3. Mexico and the US finally decide to work together on the problem. The US would make a true effort in reducing consumption and controlling guns, Mexico would reform its justice system, and there would be an open debate about decriminalization, taxing and regulation of soft drugs, just as it once happened with alcohol. Con: There are no cons.
The only desirable outcome is number three, but in the political times we are living, it is unrealistic to expect something so audacious from our politicians. So, the solution must come from the civil society.
In Mexico, the movement lead by poet Javier Sicilia is something, but it needs to go further. This might be the excuse to unite our divided society and build a fairer one, but for that to happen the elites need to cede some or all of its privileges. Are they ready for that?
That’s the real problem. We want a peaceful and secure society, but not a fair one. It is time to stop this nonsense and come out of it a better country.
