MexicoReporter.com » drugs

AFP: Angels take to Mexican streets to fight drug crime

MexicoReporter — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:59:56 +0000

December 20 2011 – Angels are appearing on street corners and at crime scenes in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico’s most violent city and the epicenter of the country’s drug-related violence. Not just for Christmas, the angels are youngsters dressing up to send their message that only God can save Juarez now. Shot, produced and edited for AFP by Deborah Bonello. See the report here on AFP’s YouTube channel.

AFP: Ambulance attacked in Ciudad Juarez

MexicoReporter — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:31:55 +0000

Three people were killed after armed gunmen stopped and opened fire on an ambulance in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. See the report here on AFP Spanish.

AFP: ‘Miss Bala’ reflects drug reality for women in Mexico

MexicoReporter — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:03:00 +0000

November 30 2011 – Miss Bala, a Mexican movie that is a current Oscar hopeful and inspired by true events, follows beauty queen Laura Guerrero in her violent downward spiral into the hands of organized crime. Filmed, produced and edited for AFP by Deborah Bonello.

Time: Evidence of Killings and Disappearances by Mexico’s Security Forces

MexicoReporter — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:12:56 +0000

November 11 2011 – The grieving families of six men who disappeared from a Mexican night club speak to TIME. Their story is among 170 cases of killing, torture and disappearances documented in a new Human Rights Watch report.

This report was produced for Time Magazine by Deborah Bonello.

Watch the video on Time’s website here.

Camera Assistant was Myles Estey - you can see his website here.

You can read the report by Human Rights Watch on their website here.

Photo: Laura Garcia and her family outside the club from where her brother Francis disappeared on March 1st 2010. The family believe Francis was taken by the Mexican military. Credit: Myles Estey.

AFP: Mexicans honor drug war victims on Day of the Dead

MexicoReporter — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:58:21 +0000

November 2 2011 – Day of the Dead in Mexico is usually a time for celebrating and remembering lost loved ones. But in the context of a brutal drug war that has cost 40,000 lives, the commemoration of the dead has taken on a more sombre tone this year.

Below, other video edits from the Day of the Dead celebrations around Mexico City this year.

October 31 2011 – On the eve of the traditional Day of the Dead, Mexicans gathered in the country’s capital for an all-night candlelit vigil for victims of the country’s on-going drug war. More than 40,000 people have died since President Calderon launched his assault against drug cartels and organized crime in 2006. For AFP – please see the video here.

Guardian: Anonymous acts are a key feature of Mexico’s drug wars

MexicoReporter — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:57:56 +0000

November 1 2011 – A piece commissioned by Comment is Free, through the Guardian in the UK:

Anonymity in Mexico is the only form of defence in the increasingly violent conflict involving the country’s drug cartels, government, media and public. It provides defence from reprisals, but also hands impunity to those acting with no identity, creating a vicious cycle of ambiguous, unreliable information and fear. And it is pursued by many of the actors in the drug war, mostly via the use of digital social networks – the newest front for the conflict.

You can read the full article here on the Guardian Comment is Free website.

Time: In Veracruz, the troops move in and tourists stay away

MexicoReporter — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:11:24 +0000

October 25 2011 – A dispatch for Time from a recent trip to Veracruz:

In touristy Veracruz, Mexico, drug-related violence has spiked. After a recent wave of 80 killings, the federal government sent troops to patrol the city. But many still don’t feel safe

See the video here on Time.com

AFP: Journalists targeted by Mexican drug gangs

MexicoReporter — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:46:45 +0000

October 19 2011 – Latest dispatch for AFP from my recent trip to Veracruz.

Journalism in Mexico is under fire. As drug-related violence grows, so does the danger for reporters trying to cover it, often forcing them to flee, bow to outside influences or face the consequences. In the city of Veracruz, journalists are feeling the heat, and locals in search of reliable news sources are now turning to social networks for information, but that too has its risks.

You can also see it here on AFP’s YouTube channel.

Univision: Javier Sicilia and the politics of grief

MexicoReporter — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:17:09 +0000

October 18 2011 – A short video documentary by me for Univision on peace activist and poet Javier Sicilia and his potential to create real change here in Mexico. Watch the video here on Univision’s Tumbler.

AFP: Businesses relocate to safe Mexico City

MexicoReporter — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:48:14 +0000

October 14 2011 – Drug-related violence in many of Mexico’s states is driving businesses to set up shop in the relative safe haven of Mexico City.

For AFP by Deborah Bonello.

You can also see the video here on AFP’s YouTube channel in English and in Spanish.