TIJUANA, Mexico—On Wednesday, two murdered men were found in an impoverished neighborhood of Mexico State. Their hands were found nearby, as were two scrawled signs, known as narcomantas or narco-banners. “The clean-up has begun,” one of these read, warning “this is what will happen” to all of the local “extortionists and thieves.”
“Merry Christmas,” the note added.
’Tis the season to be jolly, but for many in Mexico, fear still outweighs joy this week, as violence proves to be a sinister gift that just won’t stop giving.