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Friday, March 18, 2016

Mexican Press: Week's Key Articles, Mar. 11-18

Women in Prison for Drug-Related Crimes — Drug-related crimes are the second leading cause of women's incarceration in Mexico. At the federal level, 53 percent of women are imprisoned without any alternative, as drug-related crimes are felonies, even when non-violent. A new study published by Equis Justice, Proposals for Reform in Cases of Women Incarcerated for Drug Offenses, emphasizes that a significant number of detainees are mothers, heads of single-parent households and poor. Is prison the appropriate response?

2015 Most Violent Year for Press — The organization Article 19 denounced that 2015 was the most violent year for the press in Mexico since 2009, registering 397 cases of attacks on media and journalists, representing an increase of 21.8% over the previous year, since in 2014, 326 attacks were recorded. According to the report, during the three years of the Enrique Peña Nieto government, 1,073 attacks have been documented, i.e., one takes place every 22 hours.

Citizen Groups Deliver Petition for Public Officials "3x3" Reporting of Taxes, Assets, Investments — Thursday, leaders of civil society organizations and activists fulfilled requirements to seek passage of the first bill ever introduced via a Citizens' Initiative. They delivered 14 boxes with 291,000 signatures to the Senate. The proposed law, known as "The 3 Out of 3 Law", would require public officials to publish their declarations of assets, potential conflicts of interest and tax returns.

U.S. Collaborates with Drug CartelsAmong the weapons seized in the safe house where Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán was found in January was a Barrett 50 calibre gun. It made its way there via the U. S. ATF's "Operation Fast and Furious". This demonstrates the irresponsibility of Washington officials who organized the operation and of the Congress and Department of Justice who failed to investigate and sanction them.

Nestora Salgado Acquited of All Charges and Released — Nestora Salgado, leader of the Community Police of Olinalá, Guerrero, left Tepepan Women's Prison [in Mexico City] today, Friday, after she was acquitted of charges of kidnapping and murder by three judges in Guerrero. Her release comes after spending two years seven months in prison.