Mexican Drug Violence Touches Chicago

By Sean Stillmaker in News on Jul 31, 2010 4:00PM

The chaotic drug cartel violence that Mexico has been living with is making its way to Chicago. "T," a naturalized citizen, emigrated here from Mexico 19 years ago, but his father living in Michoacan was kidnapped, Chicago News Cooperative reports. The kidnappers were a part of La Familia Michoacana, one of the most powerful of the seven major cartels. The quasi-religious group originated in the 1980s and has since expanded beyond drugs and extortion. Close to 85 percent of legitimate businesses in Michoacan have some link to La Familia or its money, the BBC reports.

Chicago has the second largest Mexican community in the U.S., and nearly 15 percent are from Michoacan. The kidnappers have a sophisticated intelligence network and knew T had four brothers and two sisters living in the U.S., and he worked seven days a week at his landscaping construction business. Receiving no help from Mexican authorities T realized it would be easier to get the money.

Kidnappings in Mexico have risen by 90 percent since 2007. Under President Felipe Calderon, who is also from Michoacan, there have been 2,455 reported kidnappings -- but that is only the number of reports, the actual figure is most likely higher. The homicide rate is also increasing in Mexico. As Chicagoans scream for the National Guard over our 253 murders so far, Mexico is at 7,048.