Mexico’s gangs are becoming criminal conglomerates
They are expanding into every corner of society
On may 3rd Mexico introduced a law applying strict controls on the import of chemicals used by Mexico’s gangs to make synthetic drugs. The law is backed by harsh criminal penalties. This is a striking move by Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico’s populist president, who has shied away from tackling the country’s gangs, preferring to blame drugs and disorder on family breakdown over the border and poverty at home. In truth, under his tenure gangs are increasingly powerful and diversified.
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This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “Beyond drugs”
From the May 13th 2023 edition
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