To many, the most tangible success of Peñas' government has been getting violence off the front pages of national and international newspapers.
But its claim to have cut the number of murders is at least partially offset by a 35% rise in kidnappings in the first eight months of the year, compared with the same period in 2012, as well as a surge in extortion, according to police statistics. And these may vastly understate the problem.
According to estimates by INEGI, the national statistics institute, last year saw 105,682 kidnappings; only 1,317 were reported to the police.
There were around 6 million cases of extortion; the police put the number at 7,272.
Using its own figures, Security, Justice and Peace, an anti-crime charity, says Mexico is currently the worst place for kidnapping in the world, and that more victims are being killed. It says Peña lacks an anti-kidnapping policy and is downplaying the entire crime problem.
http://www.economist.com/news/ameri...t-drug-kingpins-enrique-pe-nieto-has-yet-come
But its claim to have cut the number of murders is at least partially offset by a 35% rise in kidnappings in the first eight months of the year, compared with the same period in 2012, as well as a surge in extortion, according to police statistics. And these may vastly understate the problem.
According to estimates by INEGI, the national statistics institute, last year saw 105,682 kidnappings; only 1,317 were reported to the police.
There were around 6 million cases of extortion; the police put the number at 7,272.
Using its own figures, Security, Justice and Peace, an anti-crime charity, says Mexico is currently the worst place for kidnapping in the world, and that more victims are being killed. It says Peña lacks an anti-kidnapping policy and is downplaying the entire crime problem.
http://www.economist.com/news/ameri...t-drug-kingpins-enrique-pe-nieto-has-yet-come