As long as the Mexican state fails to properly address the influence of the cartels, Texas should take aggressive steps to combat the violence, drug trafficking, and human smuggling spilling across the border, says TPPF’s CEO Greg Sindelar. In a speech delivered in Mexico City to the American Society of Mexico, Sindelar says that as friends, Texas and Mexico must face the brutal facts that are threatening the prosperity and security of the two sides.
“When will we be able to point to a Mexico at peace, a Mexico that delivers justice to Mexicans, a Mexico that is a good neighbor,” asked Sindelar. “Until that day comes, the Texas Public Policy Foundation is working to change the policy landscape on the American side—on the Texan side—of our relationship. It isn’t enough to hope for a concurrence of interest, and a desire for action, for our partners in Mexico… The time for Texas to act is long overdue.”
Sindelar then spelled out several policy proposals the foundation will be advocating in coming months, which include:
- Advocate that the state of Texas declare an invasion underway, from cartel forces and their allies, under the U.S. Constitution’s Article I, Section 10.
- Advocate that the U.S. federal government designate Mexican cartels as terror organizations.
- Advocate that the U.S. government add Mexican public officials to the Engel list, and that Texas create its own, parallel list.
- Advocate that Texas reform its state military apparatus, including the State and National guards
“The relationship between the U.S. and Mexico is of vital national importance,” said Sindelar. “I can assure you that your neighbors to the north wish you well, and that no one wishes for a prosperous and secure Mexico, as much as Texans. Because we are not just neighbors, or trading partners—we are friends, with bonds going back generations. We are bound by a common heritage, a common border, and a common future.”
Sindelar warned that the lack of leadership in addressing the influence of the cartels will likely lead to failure of the Mexican state.
“This is how corruption takes root, and toleration of corruption leads to the inability to provide security for the Mexican people. It leads to the death of the industries that create prosperity. Today, the cartels effectively control thirty to forty percent of Mexico’s territory. That is not a few bad apples. Having thirty to forty percent of Mexico’s territory controlled by the cartels is ‘industrial-scale’ corruption,” he said.
“And what has the government response been?” Sindelar asked. “It said that the extent of the violence had been exaggerated. It said that cartel attacks on civilians were part of ‘political conspiracy.’”
“We share a common vision for what civic life should be. Ordinary citizens with ordinary aspirations, and a desire for dignity, respect, and basic rights. Some may say this is a modest vision. But it is the very least people should expect. We hope to cooperate to make this vision a reality. Together, we can unite in our shared vision to secure a brighter future for us all. Securing this future will require the Mexican state to stand by the people, not the cartels.”
Sindelar spoke at the morning session of the American Society of Mexico Conference at the Hotel Camino Real Polanco in Mexico City.