Mexico, Buscaglia says violence won’t cease until it targets political elite

As reported by Proceso, U.N. consultant Edgardo Buscaglia stated on Thursday that 65% of electoral campaigns receive money from illegitimate sources including drug cartels. Buscaglia believes that Mexico needs a new strategy to combat narco-trafficking that is harsh but not repressive, but such a strategy will not develop until drug violence reaches the political elite and large corporations in a significant way. In his opinion, it is necessary to understand the nature of the fragmented, corrupt Mexican State to comprehend the nature of the civil war-like violence in Mexico. Furthermore, the legalization of marijuana is not a viable remedy because organized crime is so diversified in Mexico that the legalization of one commodity will not significantly change the criminal landscape. He says that Mexico needs accords akin to the Pacto de la Moncloa in post-Franco Spain. Read article.