Organized Crime and Government Take Part in Recent Dissapearances in Mexico

In a recent article in CPJ, it reports that according to Representative Gerardo Priego, who heads a congressional committee on violence against the press and who supports federalization of such crimes, "The main source of danger for journalists is organized crime--and the second is the government,"

Preigo goes on to mention, "The worst scenario for journalists is when organized crime and the government become partners. And in many parts of this country, they are completely intertwined."

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, forced disappearances have been prevalent throughout Latin America's modern history, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, during a time of right-wing dictatorships and civil war.

However since then in Proceso, a weekly publication in Mexico City, in 2008 at least 600 people have gone missing nationwide since late 2006, when Calderón was inaugurated and deployed the army and police to become stricter on organized crime. Although his long-term efforts are to benefit the country, it unfortunately has actually led to more violence and disappearances with organized crime more exposed and “vulnerable”.

In at least some missing-person cases, Proceso found evidence of government involvement.

Kaitlyn Lembo

Italy: Loan Sharks to the Rescue

In trouble times like these, the only people who are not hurting are the mafia and loan sharks. Research says Italy's banks have limited their lending to small and medium- sized business, which result in more businesses in debt and bankruptcy.
In the Washington Post article, small business owners are falling victims to loan sharks because they are the only ones willing to lend money, but with a 120 percent annual interest. Organized crime becomes stronger within the economic crisis, which results in a weaker state say Gian Maria Fara, the president of Eurispes, a private research institute.

Banks are to blame for the increase in organized crimes. If the banks were more lenient people would not have to be associated with the mob for money lending purposes that result in outrageous paybacks.

-by Sun Kim