Mexico: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Says Mexican Drug Cartel Violence Part of 'Political Conspiracy' Against Him

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the Mexican drug cartel violence last week was part of a "political conspiracy" against him and his administration.

Andalou Agency reported that Mexican drug cartel gunmen had committed acts of violence against civilians, including road blockades and burning of vehicles and local businesses such as convenience stores and pharmacies.

Bystanders were also killed in the wave of shootings and arson seen in four states in Mexico last week. On August 8, the Jalisco and Guanajuato states reported attacks in retaliation for the apprehension of a prominent leader of the Jalisco cartel by Mexico's military.

The cartel gunmen put blockades in several cities to deter the National Guard and military forces from entering the area. In Jalisco state, buses and cars were commandeered and set on fire, while two dozen vehicles were hijacked and burned on the California border Friday.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Mexican Drug Cartel Violence

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said his opponents were exaggerating the situation for their own benefit, Fox News reported.

The Mexican president noted that there was an interest on the part of his "adversaries" - the conservatives - to "magnify things, to do tabloid, sensationalist journalism." He added that he did not know if there was a hidden hand or had been set up.

However, Lopez Obrador said their "opponents, the corrupt conservatives," have something to do with "the black propaganda." Mexico's federal government had deployed National Guard members and soldiers to calm residents' fears.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, Mexico has ordered employees to shelter in place and stay out of public places as a precaution. The consulate said there was heavy police activity in Tijuana, Mexicali, Rosarito, Ensenada, and Tecate.

Mexican Drug Cartel Violence

Some branded the wave of violence experienced in various Mexican states as terrorism. The government denied it being an act of terrorism.

Interior Secretary Adán Augusto López said the series of violence were not terrorist attacks and did not have to "exaggerate the facts," according to Associated Press.

Mexico's security analyst Alejandro Hope noted that he believed the Mexican drug cartel gunmen were given the order to cause chaos and "generate uncertainty" and fear.

Hope added that terrorism suggests that there was a political goal. However, he does not know the political goal in the case of violence involving Mexican drug cartel members.

Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval had a different opinion on the matter, saying that the members were lashing out as they "have been weakened."

Cresencio noted that the cartel members wanted to feel like they were still strong, so they resorted to violent situations wherein their messages can be publicized.

Pedestrians have experienced lining up for more than three hours at the border to enter the United States at the San Ysidro border crossing, which connects Tijuana to San Diego, on Monday morning.

Jose Andres Sumano Rodriguez, a professor and security specialist at Matamoros' Northern Border College, said cartel members have learned that generating terror and attacking civilians gives them ideal results.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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