Turning Mexico into a narco-state proves we’re winning!

An update on this morning’s post on the Drug War. From the Wall Street Journal’s story on the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy’s report calling for a fresh approach:

The report comes as drug violence is engulfing Mexico, which has become the key transit point for cocaine traffic to the U.S. Decapitation of rival drug traffickers has become common as cartels try to intimidate one another…

U.S. law-enforcement officials — as well as some of their counterparts in Mexico — say the explosion in violence indicates progress in the war on drugs as organizations under pressure are clashing.

“If the drug effort were failing there would be no violence,” a senior U.S. official said Wednesday. There is violence “because these guys are flailing. We’re taking these guys out. The worst thing you could do is stop now.” If this is victory, what would defeat look like? Seriously, it’s vital to remember that the Drug Warriors see Colombia as a template, not a cautionary tale.