Mexican Police Resort To Voodoo In The War Against Narco-Terrorism

Narco-terrorism is every bit as deplorable and heinous as Islamic terrorism. I mention these two forms of terrorism simply because they are foremost in the minds of the world's population today. Pick up any newspaper and there will be at least one or two articles, every single day, on either of those two subjects. You will read about the latest butchery in Mexico (where the worst of narco-terrorism resides) or some suicide bombing or massacre of some kind somewhere in the Middle East, Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Malaysia, you name it. Whether drug based or religious based, terrorism is a huge problem in the world today. And, not to be pessimist, but if extremism is left unchecked it's only going to get worse.

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Narco-terrorism in Mexico is such a tremendous, seemingly unstoppable problem that the police in places like Tijuana (a Mexican/U.S. border town) are actually turning to brujeria (Mexican witchcraft), Voodoo and Cuban santeria for protection. The drug cartels are as ruthless and barbaric as the Taliban and other militants, with beheadings one of their favourite modes of execution. So, as a result, Tijuana police have resorted to animal sacrifices, 'spirit tattoos' and other rituals to protect themselves.

During the rituals, priests slaughter chickens on full moon nights on beaches and smear police with the blood while using prayers to evoke spirits to help protect them from drug cartels battling over smuggling routes into California.

If the police are "running scared", you're in big trouble. The problem is, that Mexico has long had the reputation of a corrupt police force (not that other countries don't as well), and apparently the drug Lords have been able to bribe both the police and other officials, so those who don't comply often find themselves on the other end of a gun barrel. Dead. Fear is rampant among those who are incorruptible since they get it from both ends- their colleagues who were bribed and from the gangs who threaten them with death if they refuse their requests.

I feel sorry for those officers who are trying to do the right thing, but who fear they could end up being another dead cop, since at least 150 have been killed in the line of duty over the past several years.

So those honorable policemen attend secret meetings

... that are said to draw on elements of Haitian Voodoo, Cuban Santeria and Mexican witchcraft.

“We know some agents use charms, saints and other methods for their protection," said Elias Alvarez, the Baja California federal Police Chief.

"They look for something to believe in."

Despite being poorly paid – around $300 a month - some pay up to $160 for a tattoo of a Voodoo spirit like the three-horned Bosou Koblamin who protects his followers when they travel at night.

The groups started about 18 months ago but were only discovered when local council cleaner noticed a trail of dead chickens on local beaches.

Badly-paid Mexican police have long prayed to Christian saints before going out on patrol. The country is the second-most populous Roman Catholic country after Brazil.

Those involved say the animal sacrifices release life to rejuvenate spirits that will shield officers against hit men and the effects intensified on full moon nights. The Voodoo symbols tattooed to their bodies is alleged to repel bullets.

"Sometimes a man needs another type of faith," said former Tijuana policeman Marcos, who left the city force a year ago after surviving a drug gang attack.

"I was saved when they killed two of my mates. I know why I didn't die."

Another policeman, who only gave his name as Daniel, added: “We all know that guns and body armour are useless against the cartels because they are well-armed and can attack any time. But this is something we can believe in, that really works.”

Mexico has a population of over 111 million people and more than 19,000 have been killed as a result of narco-terrorism. And they're not just killing each other and cops, several American consulate workers (including a pregnant woman)were recently killed.

Lesley Enriquez, 35, a pregnant American consulate worker and her husband, Arthur Redelfs, 34, a detention officer in the neighbouring Texan city of El Paso, were shot dead as they drove home from a children's birthday party with their seven-month old baby daughter.

The victims, including a Mexican man married to another member of the US consulate, were travelling along busy roads in the notoriously violent border city of Ciudad Juarez when they were gunned down.

Although it is thought they were possibly killed by mistake, it reminds me of all the innocent lives that Islamic terrorism has taken.

It's terribly sad that people have to live in fear, whether in Mexico or Pakistan, but as long as there are terrorists, of whatever kind, this world will continue to be a wretched place.