Was the Swine Flu in Mexico used by TPTB to halt the Drug violence?

Not too long ago Mexico was on the verge of collapse due to the escalating violence due to the battle between drug cartels and the Mexican government.

Then the swine flu broke out and the talk changed from guns and bombs to face masks and washing your hands.

So what happened here, did this violence just stop? Or did they just stop reporting it, instead turning our attention on this flu outbreak?

reply to post by LDragonFire


Based on what I've read, the stats have been down since March, but the MSM is giving credit to the "massive army deployment" in that same month. The numbers were a little higher in April--when at least Mexico City was under semi-quarantine--but that didn't necessarily occur in these border areas. However, it appears that since the Swine Flu frenzy is dying, the drug violence is returning. How will TPTB/MSM explain the differentials?

Mexico drug violence rises on border despite army 11 May 2009 17:31:03 GMT
Source: Reuters
* Killings increase after lull on U.S.-Mexico border

* Gangs seek lower profile but still murdering rivals

* Government says it is flushing out corrupt police

By Julian Cardona

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, May 11 (Reuters) - Killings between rival drug cartels are rising again in Mexico's most violent city despite a massive army deployment that temporarily slashed the murder rate on the U.S. border.

Drug gangsters in Ciudad Juarez who used to chase enemies in flashy black jeeps have lowered their profile but are still killing each other as 10,000 troops and federal police patrol the city, across the border from El Paso, Texas.

"Criminals are taking a different approach, using pistols not assault weapons and driving around in small, old cars to reach their rivals, ditching their SUVs," said army spokesman Enrique Torres.

The government says the army has cut drug murders by up to 80 percent since soldiers arrived in March -- but gangs killed 12 people on May 1 in one of the bloodiest days this year.

The 231 drug murders recorded in Ciudad Juarez in February dropped to 64 in March, the army says. But the number crept up to 81 in April and is already over 30 for the first week of May, according to police and media tallies.

edit to add source:www.alertnet.org...


[edit on 13-5-2009 by sonjah1]

Well ladies and gentleman, did the violence just stop? or has the reporting of it just stopped?

This violence was a huge issue in Mexico and was spilling into the US. Now you hear nothing about it?

I was hearing talk of legalizing drugs in Mexico and the US president was going to address the situation there, then enter the swine flu and thats the last I heard about these things.

Conspiracy?

The violence hasn't stopped, but the reporting of it has--at least in the major MSM outlets.

I think it very coincidental that the Swine Flu reports emerged as Obama exited...

Swine Flu in Mexico is a great red herring to take the focus off the drug violence for the TPTB.

Only time will tell if the drug violence becomes a concern of the govts/MSM again

~