On 60 Minutes tonight, Anderson Cooper reports on Mexico's drug war.When he became President of Mexico two years ago, Felipe Calderon declared war against the country's five major drug cartels. The cartels have responded with increased violent attacks against Mexican police. In 2008, 6,300 people were killed in Mexico's drug wars. 90% of the guns used in Mexican drug violence come from the US.
Cooper interviews Janet Napolitano, who is the head of the Department of Homeland Security. There is a concern that drug violence could spill across the border into the US. Very interesting (and helpful) that Napolitano appears to be focusing on this issue. Cooper also interviews Sandra Beltran, a jailed high-level female drug lord.
107. Do the drugs that Mexican cartels control/traffic originate in Columbia and other parts of Latin America? Or do they actually originate in Mexico?
108. Are the Mexican drug wars mainly about cocaine? Do they involve marijuana, or is marijuana "small beans" for big-time drug lords?
109. Does the stimulus package include any money for "fighting" drugs, either by way of assistance to Mexico or rehab/treatment programs for drug users and addicts?
110. Will the Democratic Congress move forward on better gun control laws (I have not heard any reports about Obama focusing on gun control as a priority)?
