47

I recently wrote about the wave of violence that is sweeping Monterrey. (Click here to read my thoughts.) Yesterday, at about 6:00, as we drove back to Monterrey from Reynosa, we passed a huge crowd standing by the road in Cadereyta, a small town on the outskirts of Monterrey. They were all clustered around a group of police cars and ambulances. We at first thought it was an accident, but as we drove by we didn't see any vehicles. Then we noticed that there was an extraordinary police presence and they were carrying automatic weapons and bullet proof vests. We deduced that there must have been another hit.

When we got home, we turned on the television to find out that it WAS in fact another hit. A man recently released from prison was gunned down. A 17-year-old boy that was with him was also seriously injured.

In the two and a half weeks since I wrote, there have been five more hits, raising the total to 47 mob or gang related hits in the Monterrey metro-area this year. Perhaps the most terrible thing is that I have yet to hear about one gunman being arrested and charged. Because of fear for one's life, no one will testify against them, police won't arrest them, lawyers won't prosecute them, and judges won't convict them. In such an environment, it is hard to expect this to end any time soon.