Guillermo Paxton's Blog - Posts Tagged "stupid-laws"
Making victims criminals
In Juarez, a group of wealthy businessmen have pushed for a new law that will penalize those people that pay extortion money. The Chihuahua state congress is currently evaluating the proposition, however ridiculous it may be.
Very wealthy businessmen probably don't pay extortioners because they have armed security for themselves and their family, and their businesses may not even be those targeted, like import/export businesses, hospitals, etc. The people that are the primary targets of extortion have smaller businesses, like Mom and Pop shops, food stands, bars, and other "walk-in" types.
The reason these people choose to pay is because they fear for their lives and law enforcement in Mexico is not only corrupt and ineffective, but often times they are the very ones that are involved in the extortion. There have been many cases where a person has gone to the police for help and is found dead shortly thereafter.
This law, if approved, will only compound the problem by adding economic sanctions to those who are found guilty of paying extortion money.
Gerardo D. is a friend of mine that had a small store that sold school supplies and stationary (papeleria) on the corner of the street where I lived in Juarez. On one single day he had to pay two different groups AND the Federal police that were assigned to "protect" us in Juarez from the drug war violence. His son was kidnapped. He was kidnapped. His business is now closed.
What these rich businessmen should really do is propose ways to end the corruption within the police force. With a working police force, full of well-trained officers that believe in their country and their people, Juarez' citizens could feel confident in reporting extortioners and other crimes.
Very wealthy businessmen probably don't pay extortioners because they have armed security for themselves and their family, and their businesses may not even be those targeted, like import/export businesses, hospitals, etc. The people that are the primary targets of extortion have smaller businesses, like Mom and Pop shops, food stands, bars, and other "walk-in" types.
The reason these people choose to pay is because they fear for their lives and law enforcement in Mexico is not only corrupt and ineffective, but often times they are the very ones that are involved in the extortion. There have been many cases where a person has gone to the police for help and is found dead shortly thereafter.
This law, if approved, will only compound the problem by adding economic sanctions to those who are found guilty of paying extortion money.
Gerardo D. is a friend of mine that had a small store that sold school supplies and stationary (papeleria) on the corner of the street where I lived in Juarez. On one single day he had to pay two different groups AND the Federal police that were assigned to "protect" us in Juarez from the drug war violence. His son was kidnapped. He was kidnapped. His business is now closed.
What these rich businessmen should really do is propose ways to end the corruption within the police force. With a working police force, full of well-trained officers that believe in their country and their people, Juarez' citizens could feel confident in reporting extortioners and other crimes.
