Mexico's Deadly Hotspots: Why Violence Keeps Winning

Mexico's struggle with violence is not a new story. It's a complex issue that's been going on for years. The problem is not just about crime rates. It's about certain areas becoming hotspots for violence. These places, called necro-spaces, are controlled by different groups.

Understanding Necro-Spaces

Think of these areas as territories where life and death are decided by:

Organized crime
Self-defense forces
Police
The military

Research Findings

Researchers looked at data from 2004 to 2022. They found that these violent hotspots have been around for a long time. In some areas, they've even grown.

Violent towns are usually next to other violent towns.
Violence is not random. It's tied to the area and the people who control it.

Government Approaches

The government has tried different ways to stop the violence:

Military Intervention: During the "war on drugs." This approach made things worse.
"Hugs, not bullets" Strategy: A softer way to deal with crime. But it didn't work either.

The Deeper Issue

The study suggests that the issue is deeper than just crime or military action. It's about:

The land
The rules that govern it

To fix this, the government needs to think about more than just security. They need to look at:

Governance
The economy

Conclusion

In short, violence in Mexico is a tough nut to crack. It's not just about crime rates. It's about who controls certain areas and how the government responds. Until these deeper issues are addressed, the violence will keep winning.