October 23, 2008: It's not quite "stay out", but the latest State Department warnings about travel in Mexico are pretty stiff. For example: "The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted…While most of the crime victims are Mexican citizens, the uncertain security situation poses risks for U.S. citizens as well."
October 19, 2008: The government put the death toll in the Cartel War for the first two weeks of October 2008 at "almost 400" (387 according to one unofficial count). Since January 2008 almost 3800 people have been killed in Cartel War-related violence. Most of the deaths have occurred in northern Mexico, which is the major drug war battlefield.
October 18, 2008: The US Congress has authorized over $400 million in support funds to help Mexico combat drug gangs and achieve security goals. ...
Can Mexico handle this crisis on their own? It's been a long time since we faced a military crisis on the Mexican border. Will we face refugees pouring north and Mexican gangs trying to operate inside America as a rear area for their fight in northern Mexico?
