RESCUING MEXICO: FORECAST 10 MORE YEARS

It's disheartening to hear an expert predict it will take as many as
10 more years to secure Mexico from the drug-cartels' stranglehold.
World War I was fought and won in fewer than five years. World War II
was fought and won in fewer than seven.

But, as pointed out at a meeting of minds last week, it took 10 years
to rescue Colombia from its drug cartels.

This forecast comes after Mexico has already spent $13 billion to
fight the cartels.

It was a move started by Felipe Calderon when he became Mexico's
president in 2007. But the cartels are still in control in some
cities, including Juarez. It has been reported they have more soldiers
and better weaponry than does the Mexican military.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has pledged $1.3 billion to Mexico, and Congress
is now deciding if we should send even more money.

The 10-year prediction was made last week by former ambassador to
Mexico John D. Negroponte. "I hope the politicians on both sides have
the patience to see this through," he said.

While the financial numbers are staggering, more so are the murder
numbers.

And as the weeks and months go on, Mexico continues to take a huge hit
in its economy. Many businesses have closed in Juarez. However, it's
noted the important U.S.-Mexico maquiladora industry has largely been
unaffected by the drug battles, and now seems to be rebounding from a
lull during the economy downturn not related to the cartel violence.
At least that's some good news.

But another 10 years to beat the drug lords? It's scary to project how
many more murders will occur if the war lasts that much longer.

Since 2007, there have been 23,000 drug-war murders in Mexico. And in
Juarez, there have now been about 5,300 murders since that city became
a hotbed in January 2008. That's when the Sinaloa drug cartel began
fighting the Juarez cartel for control of this corridor. It's resulted
in not only killings, but extortions, kidnappings and much physical
and economical harm to innocents.

Ten more years to free Mexico from drug lords? No. That should not be
acceptable for Mexico, or anyone else.