The State of Mexico

State of Mexico Gov. Enrique Pena Nieto said today that his state is a "narco-lair." Indeed, analysts say that his big test (like that of all contenders for the 2012 election) will be security.

So let's take a look at the State of Mexico. Since 2008, it's been a battleground between Zetas, Beltran Leyvas, Chapo's people and La Familia. At stake, as officials always say, is distribution in Mexico City.

Fair enough, but there's also another reason: drugs from Guerrero, Oaxaca and other parts of the south come through the State of Mexico en route to the north. Especially when roads are checked on the Pacific coast by the army, the State of Mexico becomes increasingly important.

Hence the fighting. It's not just a problem caused by Mexico City (and rival Marcelo Ebrard). State of Mexico towns like Cuautitlan Ixcalli have suffered serious waves of violence in the past couple of years, prompting curfews and army presence. Not much has been done to seriously quell the constant tussle between the various groups, either, which makes me wonder what exactly Pena Nieto and his crew are doing to combat the narcos. With all the talk about the PRI planning to look the other way if it takes office in 2012, I'm wondering if Pena Nieto hasn't begun to do that already.

PS - The Villanueva trial in New York should be interesting. Meanwhile, Reforma has an interesting report on high-level corruption, citing documents it says were seized by the army in Culiacan. I'm going to check into this, but I believe these are the same documents Reforma reported on a few months ago.