Two important items I am late on: the first is the link to "NARCODATA" a collaborative work by Mexican journalists using digital platforms which explains the evolution of organized crime in Mexico. If you go to Narcodata's page, you can send them your email and they will keep you abreast of new installments which should be very interesting (we are hoping here they will do an installment or two on the US influence on the drug war). So far the subject matter includes: Seven presidents and few results: 40 years of the expansion of organized crime, The drug cartels in the era of Pena Nieto, Serving the cartels, armed forces create violence in the country, From allies to rivals: the conflicts between the cartels, and Firepower of the narcos challenges the state.
Narcodata (http://www.narcodata.animalpolitico.com/ )
Next is the don't miss translated to English (actually since last May) "The Mexican Enigma" by Sergio Aguayo Quezada which is available from Google, Kobo and Amazon (Kindle).
Synopsis - From Amazon: "The country´s future depends on what a conscious and organized society does, or fail to do".The mexican enigma is an informative analysis of the situation of political, social and economic crisis that Mexico is going through from the review of three key areas: the political elites —mainly figures like Enrique Peña Nieto, whom the author studies in a bibliographical manner as well as reviews his actions since he was governor of Estado de Mexico—; the de facto powers that have been developed in the country and its implications in Mexican political and social credibility; the last axis is organized society, which, from the perception of Aguayo, has always been excluded from Mexican politics. The author also discusses the state of political culture within society and the level of disapproval of this before the present form of the government of Mexico.The author makes a strong documentary research that reaches to an almost didactic text, bringing the reader to a real and well informed approach of what is happening in Mexico. The book, in digital format, allows interaction with documents, videos and photographs that complement the reading, while encouraging political reflection from its readers."
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I'll be updating the last two blogs throughout the day hopefully, with more information on arrests, drug war events and recent publications regarding the CJNG. Hands are full here.