While the rest of us were a bit self-absorbed by the American elections, Mexico suffered a major tragedy.
Juan Camilo Mouriño, the Interior Secretary, and José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos, a former deputy attorney general and key adviser to President Calderón on the drug war, were on board a small jet that crashed in the very posh area of Polanco in Mexico City. There were also numerous deaths on the ground because the plane crashed amongst rush hour traffic.
Of course, the rumors began immediately -- the most obvious that the drug cartels had taken revenge on leaders in the war on drugs. Other speculation is even more alarming in its possibilities.
Early reports, though, indicate that the crash was an accident -- even though all possibilities will be left open for investigation.
No one can really count on the full truth being discovered -- or, of it is, that it will ever be publicly disclosed.
But there can be no doubt that the Calderón administration will be severely damaged by the loss of these two men. Secretary Mouriño had been touted as President Calderón's successor.
If this was the work of the cartels, Mexico is running the risk of slipping closer to becoming the next Colombia. We can hope that is not the case.
My prayers are with the Mexican people. Americans are celebrating the possibility of hope. I hope our Mexican neighbors will not have it ripped out of their hands.
Gary Dennes of Mexile and Jennifer Rose of Staring at Strangers have added their voices to this discussion.
Note: It appears that the jet crashed in Lomas de Chapultepec, rather than Polanco.
Juan Camilo Mouriño, the Interior Secretary, and José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos, a former deputy attorney general and key adviser to President Calderón on the drug war, were on board a small jet that crashed in the very posh area of Polanco in Mexico City. There were also numerous deaths on the ground because the plane crashed amongst rush hour traffic.
Of course, the rumors began immediately -- the most obvious that the drug cartels had taken revenge on leaders in the war on drugs. Other speculation is even more alarming in its possibilities.
Early reports, though, indicate that the crash was an accident -- even though all possibilities will be left open for investigation.
No one can really count on the full truth being discovered -- or, of it is, that it will ever be publicly disclosed.
But there can be no doubt that the Calderón administration will be severely damaged by the loss of these two men. Secretary Mouriño had been touted as President Calderón's successor.
If this was the work of the cartels, Mexico is running the risk of slipping closer to becoming the next Colombia. We can hope that is not the case.
My prayers are with the Mexican people. Americans are celebrating the possibility of hope. I hope our Mexican neighbors will not have it ripped out of their hands.
Gary Dennes of Mexile and Jennifer Rose of Staring at Strangers have added their voices to this discussion.
Note: It appears that the jet crashed in Lomas de Chapultepec, rather than Polanco.
