Merida Initiative: the United States’ Bureaucratic Invasion

With the Bilateral Strategy’s Implementation, Dozens of Experts Began to Arrive in Mexico to Collaborate with Authorities in the Fight Against Drug Trafficking

By Víctor Hugo Michel
Milenio

en español... Invasión burocrática de EU

April 16, 2009

Obama in Mexico

The Dangers of Trusting Mexico's George W. Bush

By Al Giordano
The Field

April 16, 2009

Former Mexican Intelligence Director: “We’ve Lost Half the Country” to Organized Crime

Ex-Intelligence Directors and Attorney General Medina Mora Contradict Clinton and Calderon on Drug War

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

April 15, 2009

Obama's Reality Check

Existing US policies have caused havoc throughout South America

By Mark Weisbrot
The Guardian

April 15, 2009

US Senator Chris Dodd as Special Envoy to the Americas?

Reading the Tea Leaves During Monday's White House Conference Call

By Al Giordano
The Field

April 14, 2009

Donate to Narco News: It Trains a New Generation of Journalists

In Addition to Publishing Investigative Journalism, Reporters Like Me Are Learning How to Do It

By Kristin Bricker
Mexico Correspondent, Narco News

April 14, 2009

Mexico's Democratic Revolution Party Endorses Marijuana Decriminalization

“In the case of drugs neither total deregulation nor total prohibition is the answer... Instead, a balance must be found”

By Rolando Ramos
El Economista

en español... Avala PRD despenalizar marihuana

April 14, 2009

Syringe Drop Boxes Offer Proof People Who Use Drugs Take Needle Safety Seriously While Still Being Shunned by Society

“IV drug users are treated as sub-human, because their addiction isn’t understood or acceptable”

By Michael Platt
The Calgary Sun

April 14, 2009

Oaxaca: David Venegas Verdict Delayed... Again

No Day in Court; Judge Will Call Venegas' Lawyer with Verdict

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

April 13, 2009

What Mexico Really Needs from Obama

During his trip, the U.S. president should focus less on short-term military goals and more on helping our neighbor build effective institutions of government

By John M. Ackerman
The Los Angeles Times

April 13, 2009

US Indictment of Posada Carriles Thaws the Vestigial Cold War in América

Washington’s Shift – from Coddling to Prosecuting the International Terrorist – Opens New Doors for the Upcoming Summit of the Americas April 17-19

By Al Giordano
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

April 11, 2009

Venezuela's Chavez Sees 'Good Signals' from US

"They're opening a trial against Posada Carriles in the United States, they're summoning the terrorist again," Chavez said on Friday

By Jorge Rueda
Associated Press

April 11, 2009

First, We Killed the Advertisers

A Reflection as Narco News Approaches its Tenth Year of Authentic Journalism

By Al Giordano
The Field

April 9, 2009

Bill C-15 Could Fill Canadian Prisons with Drug Offenders

Importing US Style Drug War Laws

By Carlito Pablo
Straight

April 7, 2009

Peru's Fujimori Convicted in Death Squad Trial

Former President Faces Up to 30 Years in Prison for the Repressive Acts of His Regime

By Frank Bajak
Associated Press

April 7, 2009

Obama, Community Organizer, Enters the Global Village

But His Successes in Europe Won't Necessarily Be Repeated at This Month's Summit of the Americas

By Al Giordano
The Field

April 6, 2009

Private-sector Arms Sales to Mexico Sparsely Monitored by State Department

Only Three Inquiries Targeting Firearms Exports Conducted Since 2007

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

April 5, 2009

APPO Adviser David Venegas Faces Trial on April 6 for Fabricated Drug Charges

“They wanted people in the movement to believe that my arrest wasn’t politically motivated”

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

April 5, 2009

Regime of Exception: Mexico's Two-Track Justice System

US-funded Judicial Reform Creates Two Justice Systems: Citizens and Enemies of the State

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

April 1, 2009

Medellín: Model City for IDB, Paramilitary Repression for the Poor

The “Model City” Whitewashes the Violence and Poverty of Everyday Life in the Comunas

By Laura Carlsen
Americas Program - MexicoBlog

March 31, 2009

We’ve Published 225 Reports So Far on a Shoestring in 2009 and Need Your Help to Continue

Celebrate Nine Years of Narco News with Your Donation, and Attend Our April 22 Anniversary Celebration in New York City

By Al Giordano
Publisher, Narco News

March 30, 2009

Legal U.S. Arms Exports May Be Source of Narco Syndicates’ Rising Firepower

More Than $1 Billion in Private-Sector Weapons Exports Approved for Mexico Since 2004

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

en español... EE.UU. exporta más de US$1.000 millones en armas a México en 5 años

March 29, 2009

Meet the “Authentic Six” Scholarship Awardees for the April 24-26 Organizing and Journalism Workshop in Rowe, Massachusetts

Join Them and Others at the Weekend Conference, “The Organizing of The President: Making Political Change in the Age of Obama”

By Al Giordano
President, Narco News School of Authentic Journalism

March 29, 2009

The Demarest Factor: The Ethics of U.S. Department of Defense Funding for Academic Research in Mexico

“Kansas University’s department of geography received at least $500,000 in Department of Defense funds to map communally held indigenous land...”

By Simon Sedillo
El Enemigo Común

en español... El Factor Demarest: La ética del Financiamiento para Investigaciones Académicas en México del Departamento de Defensa de los Estados Unidos
in italiano... l Fattore Demarest : L’etica del finanziamento per la ricerca accademica in Messico del Ministero della Difesa statunitense

March 27, 2009

Sarkozy and the Mexican Banker: the Journalist Who Spoke Out

Al Giordano Investigated President Sarkozy’s Host. According to Him, Hernández Ramírez’s Ties to Narco-Trafficking Are Not Just Old Rumors

By Anne Vigna
Rue 89, Paris, France

en español... Sarkozy y el banquero mexicano
en français... Sarkozy et le banquier mexicain : le journaliste qui accuse

March 27, 2009

The Drug Policy Dance: Ask a Stupid Question...

President Obama's Thursday Response on Marijuana Laws Was Deplorable, but Policy Reformers Should also Ask Smarter Questions

By Al Giordano
The Field

March 27, 2009

The Heavy Mortality that Prohibition Has Wrought on Colombia

Optimism over Merida Initiative with Mexico may prove to be unwarranted and premature

By Rachel Godfrey Wood
Council on Hemispheric Affairs

March 27, 2009

No to Intervention

Open Letter to US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton

By Andrés Manuel López Obrador
Por Esto

en español... No a la intervención

March 26, 2009

Reports: Carlos Pascual May Be Designated as US Ambassador to Mexico

The Vice President of the Brookings Institution Is a “Shock Doctor” Who Specializes in “Post Conflict Stabilization”

By Al Giordano
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

March 26, 2009

Mexican Cartel Snitch Hoped ‘House of Death’ Acts Would Keep Him Safe

A Problematic U.S. Deportation Case Involving a Mexican Drug Cartel Informant Reveals a Legal Quandary of `Who Knew What When’

By Steven Dudley
Special to the Miami Herald

March 26, 2009

Sophie’s Choice at Arizona Border: A Humanitarian Crisis

The Exploitation and Persecution of Immigrants, as Documented by the NGO, “No More Deaths”

By Mary Cuevas
One Last Thing blog

March 25, 2009

Dirty War Against Indigenous Peoples

The Mexican Military Uses the Cover of the Drug War to Repress Indigenous Movements in Guerrero

By Gloria Leticia Diaz
Proceso

en español... Guerra sucia contra indígenas

March 25, 2009

In Two Years the Number of Gang Members Doubles in Monterrey, Mexico

In 2006 There Were Eleven Thousand Youths Involved in Gangs; In 2008 the Number Rose to 26 Thousand; Military Report Confirms that Los Zetas Financed the Tapados Protests

By Diego E. Osorno
Milenio - Translation by Kristin Bricker

en español... Se duplicaron en 2 años los pandilleros de Monterrey

March 24, 2009

Gangs: New Target in the War on Drugs?

Government Reports Link US Gangs to Mexican Drug War, But Fail to Address Causes of Gang Violence

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

March 22, 2009

The Border’s “Agent Orange” Controversy

Ignoring Health Concerns in Nuevo Laredo, US Border Patrol Will Spray 1.1 Miles of Border Land with Chemical Herbicide

By FNS
Frontera NorteSur

en español... La controversia del “Agente Naranja” en la frontera entre México y EE.UU.

March 21, 2009

Abuse Allegations Rise Against Mexican Army

Since the Deployment of Troops in the Drug War, Allegations of Illegal Searches and Arrests, Rape and Torture Have Risen, Rights Groups Say

By Ken Ellingwood
LA TImes

March 21, 2009

Legal Pot Debuts in Midwest

Michigan Voters Approved Medical Marijuana with 250,000 More Votes than Barack Obama, Who Won the State

By Tim Jones - Tribune correspondent
Chicago Tribune

March 20, 2009

‘Migracorridos’: Another Failed Anti-Immigration Campaign

Payola: In Hopes of Deterring Immigration the US Border Patrol Purchases Airtime in Mexico to Promote its Own Corridos Album

By Marisol LeBrón
NACLA

March 20, 2009

The Organizing and Mobilizing of the Oaxaca Population

Dissatisfaction with Local Governments and New Mining Projects Are Uniting a Myriad of People

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

March 19, 2009

Rampant Corruption Leaves Major Chiapan City Without Running Water

The Federal Government Cut Power to San Cristobal’s Water Pumps Because the City Owed Money

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

March 18, 2009

Questions Surround the Sarkozys’ Private Visit to Mexico

“The hotel belongs to Roberto Hernandez Ramirez, a millionaire banker accused by some of being connected to Mexican drug cartels”

By Le Monde.fr avec AFP
Le Monde

en español... Preguntas al torno del viaje privado de la pareja Sarkozy a México
en français... Questions autour du voyage privé du couple Sarkozy au Mexique

March 17, 2009

Colombian Vice President Calls for End to Plan Colombia

“The cost to the dignity of the country is too great,” said VP Francisco Santos

By AFP
French Press Agency

March 17, 2009

Mexico, Pakistan, and the So-Called “Failed State”

Washington’s War on “Narco-Terrorism”

By Shamus Cooke
Global Research

March 16, 2009

The House of Death Is Now in the Obama Administration’s Court

U.S. Appeals Court Hearing Raises Unsettling Questions “Under Color of Law”

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

March 14, 2009

Dumping the Rockefeller Drug Laws for A New Direction in New York

“The Assembly has started this process, and now, the Senate and Governor have to act by supporting and even improving upon this comprehensive proposal”

By Russell Simmons and Gabriel Sayegh
Global Grind

March 13, 2009

The President and the Drug War: Part I

Transcript of Obama Statements on March 11 about the Drug War, Mexico and Immigration Reform

By Al Giordano
The Field

March 12, 2009

Citizens Show Support for Marcelino Coache

Protesters Demonstrate Against the Murders of Activists, and the Detention of Political Prisoners in Oaxaca

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

March 12, 2009

Drug War Doublespeak

The U.S. Government and Media Barrage Spin Failure Into Success as Prohibitionist Polices of the Past are Implemented in Mexico

By Laura Carlsen
Americas Program, Center for International Policy

March 11, 2009

Who Won and Who Lost in Mexico’s “Narco Protests”

Calderon and the Military Become Heroes; Social Organizers and the Poor are Demonized

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

en español... Quién ganó y quién perdió en las “Narco Protestas” en México

March 9, 2009

Obama Will Use Spring Summit to Bring Cuba in from the Cold

Key Steps May Come in the Lead Up to the April 17-19 “Summit of the Americas” in Trinidad

By Rory Carrol
The Sunday Observer

March 8, 2009

APPO Councilor and Former Political Prisoner Abducted and Tortured in Oaxaca

Marcelino Coache Verano's Captors Repeatedly Questioned Him about Various Sums of Money for Ransom During the Kidnapping

By Pedro Matías Arrazola
Noticias Voz e Imagen de Oaxaca

March 8, 2009

“The APPO has to rebuild trust and credibility”

Interview with Oaxacan Activist and Journalist Doctora Berta

By Revolucionemos Oaxaca
Interview

en español... La APPO debe reconstruir la confianza y la credibilidad

March 6, 2009

The International War on Drugs Hits Close to Home

Celebrating 100 Years of Failure and Futility

By Brian Doherty
Reason

March 5, 2009

DEA Intelligence Chief Likens Mexico to 1980's Colombia

Interview with the DEA’s Anthony P. Placido: He Believes the Cartels Do Not Feel Threatened by the Current War Being Waged Against Them

By J. Jesus Esquivel
Proceso

en español... La DEA: México, como Colombia en los 80

March 4, 2009

Additional Scholarship Available for April 24-26 Workshop on Authentic Journalism and Community Organizing

The Event Will be at the Rowe Conference Center in the Berkshires of Massachusetts: Deadline for Scholarship Applications is March 15

By Al Giordano
The Field

March 3, 2009

The 2012 Mother of All Marches

The “Movement of Movements” in Oaxaca Hosts “Organizers of Organizers”

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

March 2, 2009

Arrest of Immigrant in Texas Church was Godless Act

ICE Agent Likely Violated Agency Rules, Leaked Memo Shows

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

March 1, 2009

Change and Regime Change

What the 2008 Democratic Landslide Means for the National Endowment for Democracy

By James Jordan
Co-Coordinator for the Respect for Democracy Campaign

March 1, 2009

DEA’s Operation Xcellerator is Another Justice Department Dog and Pony Show

Despite the “Largest and Hardest Hitting Operation to Ever Target” the Sinaloa Cartel, the DEA is Merely Treading Water in the War on Drugs

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

February 28, 2009

Plan Mexico is Back in Congress

House Passes 2009 Plan Mexico Funding Despite Mexico’s Failure to Comply with the 2008 Funding’s Human Rights Conditions

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

February 26, 2009

Mexican Defense Secretary Opposes Civilian Trials for Military Human Rights Abusers

Tribunals -vs- Civilian Courts for Members of the Military Accused of Human Rights Violations Takes Center Stage in Mexico’s Drug War

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

February 25, 2009

A Second Look at the EZLN’s Festival of Dignified Rage

Response to John Ross’ Claims in “Commodifying the Revolution”

By Hilary Klein
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

February 23, 2009

Greenberg Accuses Penn of Cooking Polls (and Why the Claim Is Credible)

Charges that Pollster Mark Penn “Rigged” Data in the 2005 British Election are Supported by Reports that He Did the Same in Venezuela in 2004

By Al Giordano
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

February 23, 2009

Prosecutor Claims Iran-Contra Whistleblower is a “Danger” to Society

Federal Judge Furgeson Extended Castillo’s Report to Prison Date Until July to Decide if He Should Remain Free Through the Appeal Process

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

February 22, 2009

Drug War Horror Story is Only a Seam in a Complex Fabric

The Media Narrative Too Often Presents a Simplistic View of the Violence and Misery on the Border While Ignoring its Complexities

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

en español... El horror de la Guerra de la droga

February 13, 2009

Drugs and Democracy: Toward a Paradigm Shift

“Current drug repression policies are firmly rooted in prejudices, fears and ideological visions. The whole issue has become taboo which inhibits public debate”

By Presidents César Gaviria, Ernesto Zedillo, Fernando Enrique Cardoso and others
Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy

en español... Drogas y Democracia: Hacia un Cambio de Paradigma
em português... Drogas e Democracia: Rumo a uma Mudança de Paradigma

February 11, 2009

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