Cancun mayor's arrest fuels fears of drug politics

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

May 26, 5:28 PM EDT
Cancun mayor's arrest fuels fears of drug politics
By ALEXANDRA OLSON
Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- The arrest of Cancun's mayor on suspicion of protecting two violent drug gangs as he campaigned for governor has heightened fears that cartels are muscling their way into Mexican politics. There are also worries the gangs are tightening control over the country's most important tourist resort.

Gregorio Sanchez faces drug trafficking and money laundering charges a year after his police chief and other close collaborators were arrested for allegedly protecting cartels, said Ricardo Najera, a spokesman for the federal Attorney General's Office.

Sanchez is suspected of tipping off and protecting the Beltran Leyva and Zetas drug cartels - gangs known for brutal tactics including beheading rivals. He had taken a leave of absence as Cancun mayor to run for governor of Quintana Roo state, known for turquoise Caribbean waters and white-sand beaches marketed as the Mayan Riviera.

The mayor is the first candidate in the July 4 elections formally linked to cartels, but fears have been rising that drug gangs are infiltrating the vote in several states through intimidation and bribes.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_DRUG_WAR_MEXICO?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-05-26-17-28-41

[Fumesucker]

1. Legalizing "drugs" would end this crap very quickly..

But our politicians will never ever do that so prepare for the cartels to take over our government.

If they haven't already.

[Warpy]

2. Diario de Yucatan is being very, very noncomittal

something they usually are not whenever some drug thug is arrested. Their website also has film of his wife denying the charges and pointing the finger at the political opposition.

When is the world going to grow up and realize you can't outlaw adult behavior? Trying to do so in any sort of preventive fashion just leads to massive corruption and horrific violence.