Since President Felipe Calderon openly declared his opposition on Mexican drug cartels in 2006, an increasingly large number of Mexican civilians have lost their lives. Officials believe the most loss of lives comes from rival drug-dealing gangs clashing over territory and dealing routes that allow drugs to be smuggled into the US.
The number of civilian deaths has grown to 28,000 over the years in this war against drugs. Previous Mexican leaders agree that the US had attempted to wage war against drugs, but the failure caused the US federal and state governments to consider legalization of marijuana. Calderon's reign in office has changed drug cartels drastically; the figures support his cause. Since Calderon took office, 963 run-ins between law enforcement and drug gangs have taken place, 84,000 weapons have been seized, 35,000 vehicles have been confiscated, and drug money has been reduced in the millions.
Often, there is a price to pay when good things come, but at this point, many would argue that the war on drugs is becoming a regular bloodbath. The harsh crackdown on drug cartels has not only taken numerous lives but has also challenged Mexico's sense of security.
