IN THE MIDDLE, English Editorial
– Security in San Luis Potosi
After lasts’ weeks brief political structure overview that we had, now we can focus on San Luis Potosi. The state has a privileged location in the country, pretty much in the middle, with a metro area of over 1 million in population and surrounded by 9 other states, crisscrossed by Federal Highway 57, which connects the city with Mexico City and Monterrey; and on an east-west plane, it is also on the Gulf-Pacific axis.
Obviously, a privileged location, which makes it very attractive for international companies, like BMW and Chevrolet… even Ford, although for reasons still unclear, this auto manufacturer pulled a last minute change of plans, which sent the State Government reeling.
While it sounds like somewhat an ideal situation, that central location also has its drawbacks, foremost of which are public security issues… yes, there is a real problem… granted, it doesn’t usually affect foreigners or their assets, but it can be a serious disadvantage.
Juan Manuel Carreras was barely elected governor two years ago and he named as Public Security Secretary a retired army general with a spotty reputation, Arturo Gutierrez… and things went downhill from there: violent homicide rates went up, ‘narc’ messages hanged from pedestrian bridges every week, petty theft also rampant, kidnappings and an overall feeling of aprehensiveness…
Truth is, SLP is also in the middle of a turf war between drug cartels: Gulf and Northeastern Cartel, against the «Zetas», a former hitman wing of the Gulf Cartel, but now on a deadly feud against them.
And that is the reason for all the violence; what potosinos can’t seem to fathom, us why the hell General Gutierrez is still on the job… yeah, sure, he’s not (we hope) part of the fighting factions, but he’s managed to really alienate and enrage every single policeman under his command… not the wisest move, for sure.
Also, the State’s General Prosecutor, charged with bringing criminals to justice, is extremely busy on a «campaign» to be named as the first Attorney General, of the new American style justice system (courthouse, public hearings, witnesses, etc.) which has not been succesfully implemented yet, including, some say, setting up an attack on a prosecutors office pickup truck to bolster his popularity… if that’s the case, puleeeezeee! the guys’ got serious issues!
So that turns out to be how we see San Luis… beautiful, strategic place… with apparently seriously incapable public servants.
Next week we’ll look into some other interesting facts… meanwhile, keep your rubber boots and umbrella around, more rain on the way!
