Mexico Loses over 56,000 Soldiers to Desertion in Six Years

[Judi Lynn]

Mexico Loses over 56,000 Soldiers to Desertion in Six Years
Published April 18, 2012
Fox News Latino

Mexican civilians aren’t the only ones who have had enough of the country’s drug war.

Over 56,000 soldiers have deserted the Mexican military since President Felipe Calderón took office and launched an offensive against the country’s powerful drug cartels six years ago, according to documents obtained by news website Animal Político.

That figure amounts to 28 percent of the soldiers stationed in the country, according to Animal Político.

Deserting from the military is a crime in Mexico carrying punishments of up to six years in prison, though the offense often goes unpunished. The National Defense Secretariat, or SEDENA, says it has only convicted some 10,154,000 cases.

More:
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/04/18/mexico-loses-over-56000-soldiers-to-desertion-in-six-years/#ixzz1sW3rsYkA

[bemildred]

1. You gotta wonder what losing the drug war would look like, if this is winning.

[flamingdem]

2. I gotta wonder if they're joining the narcos

Because the pay is better! The article doesn't really explain their reasons.

[bemildred]

3. Any good narco starts out with a stint in the military.

It's on-the-job training.

[flamingdem]

4. And if they bring a weapon

they are more desirable to the jefes.