June is shaping up as one of the grisliest months in Mexico's drug war

For nearly an hour Tuesday, gunmen and Mexican soldiers were locked a battle that left at least 14 dead near the picturesque mining town of Taxco, The Times reported. The dead were all alleged gunmen, and authorities believe they were tied to a drug suspect named Edgar Valdez Villarreal, known as "La Barbie." Valdez's group operates in Guerrero state, where Taxco is located.

The popular tourist spot, with its steep hills, narrow cobbled streets and world-famous silver work, has increasingly been a "scene of cartel turf battles," noted the Associated Press. Late last month, police discovered bodies in an abandoned mine near Taxco and eventually recovered 55, presumed victims of the drug wars. Among those identified, as noted in The Times' report, was Daniel Bravo Mota, a state prison director who had gone missing.

Earlier this month near the resort city of Cancun, authorities discovered six bodies in a cave, some reportedly with their chests cut open and their hearts removed.

President Felipe Calderon went on national television Monday night to plead with Mexicans for their support the government's campaign against the cartels. June is already close to being the deadliest month in Calderon's three-year war on drugs, news reports said.

And the grisly news keeps coming.

The AP reported that six decapitated bodies were found last week in the state of Durango. The news agency added: "Three more victims with severed heads were found by police in the central state of Morelos. A note left at the scene threatened people with ties to alleged drug trafficker Edgar Valdez Villareal, who authorities say is fighting Hector Beltran Leyva for control of the Beltran Leyva cartel."

In Nayarit state, where a record 32 people were killed over the weekend, the governor decided to end the public school semester on Friday, three weeks early.

On Wednesday, six people were reported killed at a rehabilitation clinic in Ciudad Juarez, the second attack on such clinics since Thursday, when 19 were killed in the city of Chihuahua.

-- Daniel Hernandez in Mexico City

Video credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Omar Torrez]

@ Catherine,

I was just in Mexico City, Morelia and very near Patzquaro in Paracho. I had a great time.

I travel throughout Mexico all the time for work and have NEVER encountered problems. You will be fine.

One word of advice, Do NOT mix mescal with red wine!

Ciao,

[R U Joking?!]

The south of Mexico is much less risky, especially Cabo & the Yucatan.

The most dangerous parts are the border areas, near the US, yet the Fed's refuse to effectively police the border. In fact, they often sue local jurisdictions that do enforce federal immigration law (AZ, Sheriff Arpaio, etc), & the flood of drugs & illegal aliens continues as it has since the 1960's.

This means that soon a defacto merger between the US & Mexico will occur, more so than has happened, with lower standards of living, et al, for America. Obviously, DC is comfortable with this, despite their false words otherwise.

Time for a paradigm shift.

[Old Gringo]

In response to Catherine. Go to your library and get the May 31, 2010 issue of The New Yorker. Read "Silver & Lead" by Wm. Finnegan. It is about the rise of 'La Familia' in Michoacan. I love Michoacan, but will not go there now - it is too dangerous. I live in Nayarit so it is not far away. Cross out Zihuatanejo also - that area is also very violent now. Try Oaxaca instead - lots of indigenous people and lots of folk art. Head for Puerto Escondido for your beachtime. Good luck.

[Ezra]

The violence is mostly concentrated in the north and usually does not affect tourists. Exercise the same precaution that you normally would and you will probably be just fine.

[Southoc]

Coming to a town near you!

Now can we protect the borders?

[Catherine]

I am headed down to Mexico on the 21st of June--Mexico City, Morelia, Patzcuaro and Zihuatanejo. Am I out of my mind, or is this violence pretty well targeted?