On the road with Mexico’s young military
At the end of last month, my partner Ulises and I were lucky enough to hit the road for a week’s break here in Mexico, and headed down to Tulum on the Caribbean.
I was a loooooooong drive that, in retrospect, we won’t do again unless we have more time.
President Felipe Calderon’s military campaign against Mexico’s narcos is much more obvious once you leave the confines of Mexico City.
We drove through a number of states including Tabasco, Veracruz and Campeche and encountered at least 10 military checkpoints along the way, all of which were furnished by signs in both English and Spanish as to their purpose.
“The Mexican Army is carrying out President Felipe Calderon’s campaign against Mexico’s drug traffickers…..,” and they even invited complaints and recommendations from people passing through.
Oh, if only.
Complaints of human rights abuses by the Mexican military have surged since Calderon started this campaign in 2006. So much so that money for the Merida Initiative, the cash injection from the U.S intended to help fund the fight against Mexico’s organized crime industry, could be held off until Mexico cleans up its human rights record.
When a kid with a machine gun in the middle of nowhere (Mexico’s long, straight highways, or carreteras, are pretty isolated) asks for permission to search your car, it never seems like a good idea to say no.
Which brings me to my main point. The soldiers who are on at least part of the frontline of this military campaign are extremely young. The vast majority of the military personnel that we encountered at the checkpoints, standing in the tropical heat, sweating into their combats with machine guns strapped onto their shoulders, were only just out of their teens.
On the way to the Yucatan, heading out of Mexico City to the coast, we weren’t stopped once. Ulises thinks that because I’m a ‘güera’ (a term that refers to light-skinned or light-haired people, although I don’t regard myself as either of those) that they waved us through.
Not so on the way back, disproving that theory. We were stopped four times by different checkpoints. There didn’t seem much point in trying to explain to the 18-year-old searching our trunk the second, third and fourth time that we’d just been searched in the neighboring state.
The logic goes that if we’re on our way back from the coast, or the coastal states, we could well be bringing something back that we picked up via sea.
It was disconcerting to see the age of the soldiers executing Calderon’s stop and search policy. How much experience could they have gained in the field before now? Older soldiers may be as likely to mess up as their younger counterparts, but it’s easy to see how situations might get out of control when those directing them are fresh out of the barracks.
– Deborah Bonello in Mexico City for MexicoReporter.com
Image: On the road in Veracruz. Deborah Bonello / MexicoReporter.com
Interesting. We drove from DF –> Patzcuaro –> coast of Michoacan –> Manzanillo, Colima –> Guadalajara –> DF in June (that’s what, 7 states?) and encountered only one checkpoint, and were waved through.
It’s a bit disturbing that there were so few in Michoacan, considering.
[...] those of you who read the account of my trip to the Yucatan and my experiences with Mexico’s military checkpoints, I thought that you might find this op-ed column in the New York Times of related [...]
[...] on 17. Aug, 2009 by MexicoReporter in editorial, united states For those of you who read the account of my trip to the Yucatan and my experiences with Mexico’s military checkpoints, I thought that you might find this op-ed column in the New York Times of related [...]
Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! I’m sure you had fun writing the article.
Nice website information and Great .. thank you for the advice
Nice article.thanks large size and it is great information
Hello.This post was extremely remarkable, especially since I was looking for thoughts on this topic last Friday.
I have learned some new things via your site. One other thing I’d really like to say is the fact that newer computer system os’s are inclined to allow extra memory to be used, but they also demand more memory simply to work. If an individual’s computer can not handle a lot more memory and also the newest software program requires that memory space increase, it might be the time to shop for a new Computer. Thanks
Superb website…
[...]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[...]……
When they are 100% healthy and ON they are a Final 4 team, easily, and they can beat Louisville, UCONN, UNC, etc..
I like this post, enjoyed this one thanks for putting up. “The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.” by George Baker.
You have mentioned very interesting points! ps decent website.
I like this blog very much, Its a rattling nice place to read and incur info . “Anyone can stop a man’s life, but no one his death a thousand doors open on to it. – Phoenissae” by Lucius Annaeus Seneca.
I reckon something genuinely interesting about your blog so I saved to my bookmarks .
I dugg some of you post as I thought they were invaluable invaluable
I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website
.
I like this web blog so much, saved to bookmarks. “To hold a pen is to be at war.” by Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire.
I really like your writing style, excellent info, thank you for posting
. “God save me from my friends. I can protect myself from my enemies.” by Claude Louis Hector de Villars.
I am not real wonderful with English but I line up this rattling easy to read.
Absolutely composed articles, Really enjoyed reading through.
I got what you intend, regards for posting .Woh I am lucky to find this website through google. “Don’t be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against not with the wind.” by Hamilton Mabie.
whitney i dont know if you heard that it might be from that crazy person that was posting new foilers every 5 minutes
F*ckin’ amazing issues here. I am very satisfied to look your article. Thanks a lot and i’m taking a look ahead to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
I think this web site contains some rattling fantastic information for everyone. “Variety is the soul of pleasure.” by Aphra Behn.
Very interesting points you have remarked, thankyou for putting up. “The surest way to get rid of a bore is to lend money to him.” by Paul Louis Courier.
I am impressed, I have to say. Very seldom do I encounter a blog thats both educational and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your post is important; the issue is something that not enough people are talking intelligently about. I am really happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
I think this is among the so much important information for me. And i am glad reading your article. However should statement on few general things, The site taste is wonderful, the articles is in point of fact great
. Good task, cheers.
I have not checked in here for a while because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend
I dugg some of you post as I thought they were handy very beneficial
Some really good content on this site, regards for contribution. “A liar should have a good memory.” by Quintilian.
I would like to become a fitness trainer however , I’m some bodybuilder so i focus far more on hefty weights small reps. Could you become an exercise trainer when building muscle only? I usually do not do cardio at all!!! and do you really need some form of certification to turn into a fitness coach becuase I am bodybuilding for 36 months and know various muscle groups and the machines. And what amount of should a fitness trainer price I hear they get compensated well.
Some truly wonderful blog posts on this web site , regards for contribution.
Thanks for the good writeup. It actually was once a leisure account it. Look complex to more delivered agreeable from you! However, how can we keep in touch?
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
I am not very good with English but I line up this very leisurely to read.
Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I have study a few of the blogposts on your site these few days, and I really like your style of blogging. I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my website as well and let me know your thought.
Hey There. I discovered your weblog the usage of msn. That is a very neatly written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.