The Mexican Fuenteovejuna - Residents of Ascensión, Chihuahua Expel the Local Police

By Fernando León, Special to The Narco News Bulletin

On Thursday, September 22, the Mexican press reported on an event that could show a little of the future that awaits many cities overwhelmed by the violence generated by president Felipe Calderón's drug war. Residents of the town of Ascensión, Chihuahua decided they had enough with the lack of governmental response to the security problems that they have been facing for several months, along with the constant threat of the military and the impunity it enjoys. The residents organized themselves and decided that from now on their security would depend on themselves.

The town of Ascensión, Chihuahua, based in the municipality of the same name and located 192 kilometers south east of Ciudad Juárez, has been hit by a wave of kidnappings in the last few months. Last week, the last one ended with the death of two kidnappers at the hands of the people. Before the kidnapping of a 17 year old, the residents overtook the agressors and managed to free the young man while making a citizen's arrest of five of the eight alledged kidnappers. Three of the kidnappers were later arrested by military personnel. However, the other two became the target of the residents' helplessness with the constant threat that they face. The two kidnappers died in the custody of the Federal Police, as they were prevented from receiving medical attention after the people tried to lynch them.

The case is relevant in that the Mexican population suffers mainly in the northern border region of the country—although that is not to say that the violence from Calderón's war has not affected other regions and states in the country. And that's why, with the collusion of the "authorities" with criminal organizations—which is the same but not equal to that in the North—opting for community autonomy does not seem so outlandish. The war that the country suffers from doesn't have support from anyone other than the governmental class, big business, and the criminal groups benefiting from it. And this is demonstrated when cases like Ascensión explode.

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