Mexico’s drug-related death toll up 6.3 per cent
Around 12,000 people died in 2011 in drug-related violence in Mexico, according to latest statistics.
Furthermore, some 50,000 people have now been killed during the crackdown on violence in the country since President Felipe Calderon announced his campaign to end the drug lords' rule in 2006.
According to figures from Reforma daily, 12,539 drug-related killings occurred across states in Mexico in 2011, which marked a 6.3 per cent rise compared to the previous year.
These reports come as the president continues to order military action to tackle the violence and trafficking.
The analysis showed that violence in drug-related crimes has become more brutal in the past 12 months, with 600 beheadings taking place and more than 1,000 cases of torture.
Officials in Mexico recently sacked members of the police force when they were found to have been infiltrated by members of the Zetas gang.
