[Through My Lens] Mexico
Photos by Bobby Reys
It's been about a week since I've been back from Mexico, and I've been going through all the photos I took from all the various spots I visited. It had been awhile since I shot and edited so many photos, but since I was in a new place everyday, I knew on the flight coming back to the States that I'd have some work ahead of me. There were really a lot of photos that I wanted to share, but in the end, I decided on the ones that captured a good portion of what I saw in Mexico. There are shots from cities like San Miguel, Guanajuato, and Morelia to shots that I took in little towns that are probably not even on a map. There was some more stuff I would have liked to capture, but that might have until next time. All in all, it was a good trip, even with all of the police checkpoints when traveling between places. The weather was good, and the food was even better... which I didn't even snap one photo of.
[Via Bobby Reys]
The Mexican Vigilante Battle Against The Drug Cartel
Photos by Rueters/Jorge Dan Lopez
Just south of the border, Mexico is notoriously known for it's struggle with an out-of-control drug cartel and a corrupt police force that is increasingly taking the lives of innocent bystanders. It has come to a point where Mexican vigilantes have had to take it upon themselves to protect their land and loved ones by creating their own task force. In recent months, the number of vigilantes, locally known as fuerzas autodefensas, has soared as groups of men patrol to protect their neighborhoods and farmland using rifles and machetes as their weaponry.
This past week, in the small city of Paracuaro in Michaocan, vigilantes were tactful enough to take over a main government building after a weekend full of violence against suspected criminals, who were holding policemen as prisoners. This battle is just one of many in their fight against impending chaos.
On the scene, Jorge Dan Lopez was one of the few brave photographers who were able to capture the faces and traces of some these vigilantes. Take a look at these mind blowing photos of vigilantes who are willing to risk their lives to fight for their land, and click here to view more.
[Via Business Insider]
