With 11,000+ murders in first five months of 2017, Mexico is on track to have most violent year since Mexican Revolution-NPR, July 2017

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7/6/17, "Violence On Pace To Reach Record Highs In Mexico," NPR, Morning Edition, Carrie Kahn

Chihuahua State, Mexico

(Carrie) KAHN:...The ensuing power vacuum within the cartel and battles for territory with other gangs have led to an unprecedented surge in homicides throughout the country. More than 11,000 murders were registered in the first five months of this year, putting 2017 on track to be the most violent since the Mexican Revolution. But spokesman Huerta says another factor has led to the rash of murders in Chihuahua.

HUERTA: (Speaking Spanish).

KAHN: Huerta says, "previously, authorities allowed drug traffickers to operate freely in the state." He says the new governor of the opposition PAN Party, who took power last year, is putting pressure on organized crime. Chihuahua's former governor is wanted on embezzlement charges and allegedly fled to the U.S. to avoid arrest.

Other states where the PAN won the governor's house from the ruling PRI Party have also seen upticks in violence. But Mexican security analyst Alejandro Hope says the rise in violence goes beyond a change of political parties. He points to a deterioration in the rule of law.
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ALEJANDRO HOPE: The state is simply not there, not there in terms of police forces and certainly not there in the provision of public services.

KAHN: Absolutely no public services, he says. There's just not enough honest and capable police officers in Mexico to keep the order. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Mexico City." map above from wikipedia




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