Church warns of power of drug cartels

Mexico’s Roman Catholic Church said drug cartels now control parts of some cities and warned that the gangs may be trying to influence this year’s state elections.

The Archdiocese of Mexico said in an editorial that organised crime groups may try “to impose candidates” in the July 4 elections that will decide 12 of Mexico’s 31 governorships.

It said cartels may also try to impede voters from going to the polls.

The editorial posted on the archdiocese’s website said drug gangs are intimidating governments in some states and “control entire neighbourhoods in some cities”.

More than 22,700 people have died in drug-related violence since Mexico launched an anti-drug offensive in late 2006.