Mexican Senate leaders and cabinet officials are holding a closed door meeting this afternoon to discuss the administration’s Drug War strategy. The high level meeting comes after yet another bloody weekend in Mexico.
Eight people died in drug-related violence in the border state of Tamaulipas and an explosive device was thrown at the US consulate in the city of Nuevo Laredo. The consulate remains closed to the public today as part of the ongoing investigation.
Mexican states immediately south of Texas have been experiencing a surge in drug-related violence as the Gulf Cartel battles with its former enforcement wing, The Zetas, for control of strategic territory. Thousands marched Sunday in the cities of Tampico and Monterrey calling to an end to the violence.
Meanwhile, the vicious turf war in Ciudad Juarez may be tapering off, according to an FBI assessment leaked to the Associated Press. Mexican newspapers are widely citing statements by the FBI spokesperson in El Paso that the majority of drugs passing through Ciudad Juarez now belong to the Sinaloa Cartel.
The battle for the Juarez drug route has killed more than 5,000 since 2008.