Dear readers,

Here are some numbers concerning the two subjects covered by this web site. I will try to keep the numbers somewhat updated. The perspective is largely on democracy/political evolution with brief notes on articles, including links to original aritcles in either Spanish or English.

READ HERE

Venezuela federal law concerning illegal commerce and consumption of drugs

Venezuela has a federal law concerning illegal commerce and consumption of drugs. A link to the official pdf file to this law is offered below. The law appears in Spanish.

http://www.ona.gob.ve/Pdf/Ley_drogas2006.pdf

Mexico: small amounts of controlled substances may become decriminalized

The Administration of President Calderon (MX) has submitted a bill to the Senado , with a view to de-criminalize the possession of small amounts of certain controlled substances. The reasons are mostly administrative reasons pertaining to the Mexican judiciary branch.

A link to the source article is offered below.

http://www.cnnexpansion.com/actualidad/2008/10/02/la-posesion-de-poca-droga-no-sera-delito

On a separate point, the Alternativa party introduced a bill to the Camara de Diputados (MX House of Representatives) to de-criminalize the use of marihuana for mediccal and scientific purposes. A link to the source article is offered below.

http://www.cnnexpansion.com/actualidad/2008/05/03/alternativa-pide-despenalizar-marihuana

5 planes seized by the MX Army

A short communique from the MX Army, via a presidential web site, states brief details of an investigation which was live as of October 3, 2008. 5 stolen airplanes were located and seized by the MX Army. A link is offered below. The value of the aircraft has not been posted, yet.

http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/prensa/?contenido=39160

2.5 tonnes of drugs seized - Venezuela

The ONA (the National Anti Drug Office) of Venezuela, has made a recent statement. 2.5 tonnes of drugs were seized. A link to the article is offered below. The article was dated 3/10/08, which in American English is rendered October 3, 2008.

http://www.mpprij.gob.ve/spip.php?article5750

USD 196 mn (estimate) Narco Submarine Sunk

A narco-sub was recently sunk. Before sinking it, the value of the drug load it hauled was estimated at USD 196 million. This was reported originally by the Seattle-Times, and picked up by El Universal (Mexico City). A link to the article in El Universal is offered below.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/162504.html

Background on narco subs

El Universal (Mexico City) published a background article on narco subs, a few months ago. A link to the article is offered below. An English translation can be read here.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/161077.html

SIEDO receives info

SIEDO received information from the Colombian government concerning the crew of one narco sub. This particular vessel was seized by the Mexican navy a few months ago. SIEDO is the acronym for a MX law enforcement organization, translated loosely as Office of the Assistant Attorney General for Specialized Investigations on Organized Crime. It should not be confused with AFI, which is the MX counterpart of the US FBI.

A link to the article in El Universal is offered below.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/161067.html

Links of Interest:

* Inter-Parliamentary Union

* Organization of American States

* INTERPOL

* IICA - Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

* PAHO - Pan American Health Organization

* WHO - World Health Organization