Attorney General denies that drug violence affects democracy in Mexico

El Excelsior: The Attorney General of Mexico, Marisela Morales, said that it is necessary to open a debate about “other exits” to the drug problem today in the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo.

“There are many opinions and voices on the topic. Without a doubt, none of the countries can close themselves off from debate, dialogue, and meaningful analysis of the issue. It’s important, but with objective information,” asserted Morales in an interview with El Tiempo.

The head of the Attorney General’s Office in Mexico (PGR in its Spanish initials), who visited Bogotá last week, considered that the drug problem needs a clear and precise diagnosis.

Morales stated “on many occasions, problematic numbers and figures are given that don’t have the scientific basis to be able to propose a change in strategy” that would guarantee efficacy.

“I am convinced that, yes, we need to have a hemispheric meeting to talk about this diagnosis and to be able to propose a change in strategy,” added Morales.

Several Latin American countries have proposed that this debate needs to happen during the sixth Summit of the Americas that will take place from April 14th to 15th in the Colombian port city of Cartagena.

Morales explained that in Mexico drug trafficking “is a problem of a few states, where the violence that has been witnessed is generated by these criminal organizations fighting for territory and drug markets.”

“The situation is not how it sometimes looks, it’s not throughout the whole country, but rather in a few specific areas,” said the Mexican attorney.

The Attorney General denied that the violence from drug traffickers has affected democracy in her country and claimed that “no criminal organization is stronger than the state.”

“The state has demonstrated that it is capable of confronting this crime and is doing so in a manner decided with local governments and establishing partnerships and strategies through international cooperation,” Morales said.

Taking about the presence of Colombian drug traffickers in Mexico, Morales affirmed that major dealers haven’t been identified, but that that some people who collaborate with narco-networks have been found in Mexican territory." Spanish original 

Translation: Mikael Rojas, Americas Program