CHIHUAHUA: NEW GOVERNOR TARGETS ENDEMIC VIOLENCE

Mexico's Chihuahua state has a new governor, and on Monday he pledged
to seek peace, a scarce commodity in his state and particularly in the
city of Juarez.

In a speech released by the state, Gov. Cesar Duarte said, "We are set
today to go through the rough road to restore peace in Chihuahua. In
Juarez, our country is at stake."

While that is the kind of talk people need to hear, it brings the
question of how this is to be accomplished, particularly with Juarez
generally acknowledged to be one of the world's most violent cities,
if not the most violent.

The new governor has launched a social program called Chihuahua Vive.
It's supposed to attack a broad spectrum of problems, including
poverty, crime, education shortfalls and, of course, crime. It also
has a business aspect, looking to pump up business and industry.

Those are laudable goals, but in the face of overwhelming violence and
the tight grip of drug cartels, it's questionable whether this
strategy can work very well.

However, at this point, it's certainly worth a try and deserves
support.

However, it seems that the violence must be quelled before business,
education, mining, agriculture and other areas can flourish -- not the
other way around. If Duarte can figure out a way to take back the
streets, that will be the start.

He's also going to introduce a bill aimed at toughening sentences
imposed on people convicted of mass homicide, kidnapping and
extortion. Those convicted will get life in prison.

If Duarte is able to enact and enforce this, it should
help.

We hope Duarte can back up this tough talk with positive results.