Editor
AUSTIN, Texas - Someone had to write the novel. Mexico's current drug war, now going on its fifth year of horrible viciousness, is a bloody struggle that apparently can also speak from the beyond. Well-known Mexican author Carlos Fuentes has taken a stab at it, writing his latest "Destiny and Desire" so close to the battlefield sounds of his native country's killing fields that one of his central character is a head, as in a beheaded head.
He uses the principal characters of Josue and Jerico to tell the story, sparing no jab at the government and fictionalized leaders of the criminal gangs. Fuentes uses his deep knowledge of Mexico's history following the 1910 Revolution to place things in some subjective context. Where some say Mexico's entry into world-class drug distributor came only after the fall of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in Colombia, Fuentes postures the idea that Mexico always has had a soft spot in its soul for crime.
Indeed, the country now counts more than 30,000 deathsrelated to the current lawlessness.
Perhaps it is the scope of the novel that grabs readers. Fuentes is not usually known as a writer of books of the like that James Michener or Stephen King publish, in the 800-page range, in other words. But this effort fills in many "cultural holes" newspaper articles covering the drug war never seem to offer. There are killings daily, say the newspapers. There is a bigger reason as to why that can happen almost as if approved by the government, says Fuentes.
This novel may not reach the heights of "The Old Gringo," but it does give the reader more than just the fact that Mexico is in deep social trouble. For Mexicans, it will be much better than any of his other books. It is something of an autobiography for the collective Mexican - blood, guts and all.
Surprisingly, in the end Fuentes thinks like an American tired of hearing about Mexico's problems, believing that it may take exterior political forces to help clean up his homeland's bloody mess. It's no reach to say that he has a good-sized group of intellectuals believing the same thing. Yeah, I can see the bloody movie and hear the soulful soundtrack...
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23 comments:
I'm going to get this book. Sounds like a winner. Mexico is Hell! Too much killing going on.
excelent article. The Tribune gives us what no other valley blog can give us. This story seems way over our heads. I guess life is more than just Harlingen. thank you. good job.
i don't think there's an answer for Mexico. that war is still going on and no one can do anything about it. you can hear the gunfire on this side.
Mexico is a disgrace. no other way to look at it. I won't go there anymore, although i miss the trips across for dinner and ahaircut. too bad.
If I was the Mexican Goverment, I would impose Marshall law. Go door to door and flush the criminals out.
At the rate they are going, this war won't end anytime soon. This conflict has gone far to long.
By the way, America is contributing to the drug war in Mexico, by purchasing drugs that are causing havoc with our friends accross the border. Shame, shame, the LRGV is full of drug attics, as is New York, California, Illinois, Chicago, Cleveland, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, etc.
El SANTO:...You hit the nail on the head with the right size martillo. USA has a role in the drug bizness.
Anon: Excellent article.
Harlingen is having a war to, only it is a war of political will.
The good people who believe in helping other people and honest goverment.
Or the same old network, of elected position to fatten their wallets.
And by the way, consider this, financial ruin, is just as bad as physical ruin. It just depends which side of the fence you are in.
Good post, MR. Editor, as always. Some of us recognized the Tribune is way above other blogs.
It would be interesting to see how the Tribune would cover our elected commissioners. that's what we need. A brave, skilled writer who would tell it like it is. The thing is it's like the Old Guard knows it can hide. The Old Gurad doesn't fear Jerry Deal or Tony Chapa. A good writer would out these bozos. maybe one of these days.
Chapa's not writing a damned thing and Deal's computer is dead. Nothing happening in town. Oh, well.
Mexico's drug war is here. i feel it. there are some bars and restaurants you just don't go to cuae that's where the cartel people go. We all feel like prisoners. what a mess!
Tony Chapa has never written about Mexico. Is it becauss he is from there or what? Is he a US citizen? he never did say.
Good story and good song. It is valentines's Day and I haven't bought anything for my girl. Ooops.
Jerry Deal, better hurry up, Tony chapa is from Mexicaly. For all we know he is here illegally. Viejo sonso inservible. No vale tres centavos.
Chapa is generating two maybe 1 comment for article. Some are getting none. Some are two days old and only get 13 comments, he makes two comments and Juan Ortega another 2 that means they get 8 comments. Esa blog the Tony, esta como le, todo chueco.
Jerry Deal is damn old, plus he helps out with two other newspapers and then he is involved with the baseball team.
He doesn't have too much time for the blog.
Pac groups are forming all the place. Harlingen is like a pie divided in too many pieces.
Mexico will rise again. But it needs help. the military is not up to the job.
Of course Mexico will come back, if Europe and the USA and Canada stop buying dope, from the cartels.
I call it a civil war. Man, I can even go and have my teeth clean. Because they are saying to stay away.
Hey, what happen to the Editor, he has been to quiet. Chapanequisimo, is bragging again about it's run down blog, and having computers all over the place.
Jerry Deal is shutting down. He finally arrived at the realization that he is not of the correct age to accomplish all that his life, jobs and the blog entail. Heard this at a Harlingen downtown coffeeshop that he supposedly frequents. I believe it because the place was full of white OLD folks. I saw one mexican in the place. He was in the kitchen, cleaning the floor and cooking some chorizo con waybos.
Jerry, will be back, if not, we will have to start a blog up. I think, their are people in the Valley that post articles. Jerry works in two newpapers, Rio Hondo and La Feria, plus he does sometype of work with the whitewings.
Be patient, everyone, he will be back.
If not our only hope is the Tribune.
It will take a long time before Mexico can gain control of the drug trade. And really, only at such a time that the govt. regains control of the drug trade can Mexico claim a victory of sorts.
Eliminate the drug trade? That option is not even on the table. As long as there is a demand for drugs, the trade will never be completely eliminated. But controlled? Well, that, may be possible.
As long as those who are charged with protecting the citizenry, continue to accept payments from the cartels, we will not see the violence decrease. Why are the cartels not afraid of the govt? Because they have infiltrated all levels of government, from the low level municipales to state governors and legislators.
Christian
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