Issues in International Political Economy: Mexico is Facing a Difficult Time
August 2008, Number 104
August 15, 2008
Among the current issues facing the average Mexican are drug-related murders, kidnappings for ransom, and a debate on future energy policy that reflects a defensive nationalism rather than practical considerations of oil and gas production and electricity generation. The contest among the various drug cartels for dominance in sales of hard narcotics to the lucrative U.S. drug market is what is generating this violence. The only action against Mexico's drug related killings that would be meaningful would be to eliminate the enormous profit from drug sales to Americans. Meanwhile, the energy problems that Mexico faces are made in Mexico.