Chivis Martinez for Borderland Beat
I was sent this video and asked to post it. While I appreciate the effort of filming the video, and recognize some solid points, I would be remiss not to address glaring omissions, and question why?
Normal Schools:
Bravo for the focus on Normal Rural Schools, the video calls on the government to maintain and open additional schools. The 43 students taken are referred to as Normalistas because they are students of these schools taking classes for a teaching degree. The schools are largely ignored by the government leaving the students with the responsibility of attaining their own resources. The schools are known to produce the best elementary teachers in Mexico.
"Cops are not going to do shit"
Amen to this statement in the video. When this reporter became a victim of a crime, I was so naive to think I could call on the police for help. Even my staff looked at me as though I had two heads to think that the police were there to protect and help the public.
"Cops are not going to do shit"
Amen to this statement in the video. When this reporter became a victim of a crime, I was so naive to think I could call on the police for help. Even my staff looked at me as though I had two heads to think that the police were there to protect and help the public.
The video fails when omitting the fact that Osario Chong has an ongoing effort to close the schools.
Calderon:
Critics often look to the Calderon administration as the starting point for the violence and killings.
But facts do not support this conclusion. Even with a muddy peak into previous administrations the fact is kidnappings, murders, extortion have been a part of the Mexican landscape. And the first "narco president" was in office some 80 years prior.
What has changed is the number of cartels in conflict for territory has greatly increased. The Mexican government says there are over 60 cartels and cells in Mexico. Another change is the diversification of product. The Zeta model of organized crime. Zetas began its business structure as 50/50, 50% drug trafficking and 50% other means of revenue such as oil theft.
But facts do not support this conclusion. Even with a muddy peak into previous administrations the fact is kidnappings, murders, extortion have been a part of the Mexican landscape. And the first "narco president" was in office some 80 years prior.
What has changed is the number of cartels in conflict for territory has greatly increased. The Mexican government says there are over 60 cartels and cells in Mexico. Another change is the diversification of product. The Zeta model of organized crime. Zetas began its business structure as 50/50, 50% drug trafficking and 50% other means of revenue such as oil theft.
The invisible economic migrant:
Nowhere in this video is the greatest group of targeted people addressed, the economic migrant, mostly from Central America. It is estimated that upwards of 10k migrants go missing each year. Yet, Mexico does not include migrants in any government count.
![]()
“The 72”
The video reaches back in history for examples of crimes against people, yet does not mention 72 migrants massacred in San Fernando Tamaulipas. Nor the 500+ bodies found in Tamaulipas fosas and Durango City in 2011.
Argentina forensic scientists:
This group came on behalf of the parents of the 43. The video should have showcased the fact that the Enrique Peña administration would not allow them to conduct any DNA testing or inspection and testing of remains, until after the remains of the so called 43 were “discovered” through confessions of Guerrero Unidos cartel members. However, the remains they have tested have nothing to do with the 43.
What about the remains found other than the 43?
Nothing is being done. Yet parents of the Guerrero missing and autodefensas continue to discover fosas, 11 last week.
 |
| One of the search party of Iguala/Cocula |
The Demanding of the 43 returned alive:
This is an unrealistic demand.
Asking for answers supported by evidence is a proactive realistic demand.
Demanding the known areas of fosas be unearthed and searched is a proactive realistic demand.
Asking for a DNA database, is a realistic proactive demand.
Asking for answers supported by evidence is a proactive realistic demand.
Demanding the known areas of fosas be unearthed and searched is a proactive realistic demand.
Asking for a DNA database, is a realistic proactive demand.
Emotionally driven, well intentioned, but created by people who either are ignorant to the truth and facts, or wish not to focus on same. If an American can go to Mexico and educate herself to Mexico's shame, then any one in Mexico is able to....if one is truly concerned, if one truly wants to know, if one truly wants a Mexico that is a law and order, just, democracy.