You know the Mexican violence is bad when sportswriters start to focus on it

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 11:09 AM Share

Joakim Soria, the ace relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, recently asked that people stop using the moniker "The Mexicutioner" for him. Soria, allegedly the all-time saves leader among Mexican-born relievers, said that, "It is sad when you see your country like that, and that nickname is a negative to the kids in Mexico. There's too much violence. It's really bad."

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EXPLORE:MEXICO, SPORTS

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BORN YESTERDAY

4:48 PM ET

February 24, 2011

Has the US provided any kind

Has the US provided any kind of COIN advice or training to Mexican military and police? Have they asked for it? Would it help?

ELECTIONSIGN

4:46 PM ET

February 25, 2011

Its not just in mexico....

TOM RICKS

9:34 PM ET

February 25, 2011

Here is a good essay on the subject

By my CNAS colleague Bob Killebrew. He recommends an indirect approach. He says the Colombians have a better handle on this than the American govt does, so we should help the Colombians help the Mexicans.

http://www.cnas.org/node/5022

Best,
Tom