By Francis Peyret
The U.S. government’s trial against Gerardo García Luna, Secretary of Public Security of the government of Mr. Felipe Calderón Hinojosa (2006-2012), concluded ahead of schedule. The former official was found guilty and is awaiting sentencing in June of this year. But what feelings have remained in the political and social environments of Mexicans and groups that have an interest in our country?
We all expected evidence to emerge during the trial that would prove García Luna’s guilt. Evidence such as videos, photographs, documents, and recordings that would give scandalous overtones to the judicial process. However, to our disappointment, that did not happen, and we had to make do with witness statements that shared that which was already known. This comes from 15 years of books, TV series, testimonials, and serious journalism which have studied the García Luna case. This is why, apart from some witness testimony, we were not very surprised by the prosecutor’s case during the trial.
For now, those close to Calderón and García Luna which includes communicators, politicians, businessmen, former officials, and followers can breathe. However, I don’t think things stop here. First, we must wait three long months for sentencing. This could be a final sentence, or a sentence negotiated with García Luna. This would happen if the U.S. government decides to indict more people involved in drug trafficking.
From my point of view, justice was done but it was incomplete. García Luna did enormous damage to our country. Collaborating with criminal groups, he started a drug war—the consequences of which we are still paying. Others from both countries are awaiting trial.
The facts presented at trial focused only on a drug trafficking network that operates within Mexico. The idea that this network did not extend into the U.S. is absurd. The distribution and sale of illegal drugs between Mexico and the United States is as efficient as Federal Express or DHL. If this is not looked at squarely, a solution to drug trafficking cannot take place. These warring cartels deploy media campaigns to win over citizens, and we are trapped in a war of disinformation. Let’s hope that the law reaches beyond García Luna, to other guilty parties when Mexican history is written. Despite all the problems that Mexico has had for decades, we have a country that has opportunities to move forward. Economic indicators prove this. Direct foreign investment is happening like never before. Tourism is up. We Mexicans must get out of the media maelstrom that attempts to discredit and question these advances. We must focus on proposals to build a better future for Mexico.
