...can be changed by legalizing it and therefore taking away the drug cartels number one source of income. The U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy ... says that more than 60 percent of the profits reaped by Mexican drug lords are derived from the exportation and sale of cannabis to the American market (Armentano2). It is ridiculous to think that the United States can put out a statistic like this and ignore the fact that if they legalized the drug there would be less violence because there would be no point for Mexican drug cartels to try and smuggle the drug into the U.S. In the article “Blame Prohibition, Not Pot Smokers for Violence in Mexico”, published by AlterNet.org, Tony Newman tells us how the people who run the “Just Say No” campaign against drugs have a new scheme in which they plan to blame people who smoke pot for the violence in Mexico. They are hoping to stop younger people from smoking marijuana if they associate it with the murder of people by the drug cartels in Mexico. There are a few problems with these campaigns: They are inaccurate in some cases, and downright dishonest in others.Office of National Drug Control Policy It is disingenuous to connect the average American's marijuana consumption to the horrific violence of Mexico's drug war. The average pot smoker's growing and purchasing of marijuana has no relationship to the violence along the border that is the result of large-scale drug trafficking. It isn’t hard to understand that the legalization...
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...Mexican Drug Cartels Abstract Mexico has long been used as a transshipment point for narcotics and contraband between Latin America and United States markets. Over time, various organizations, also known as “Cartels” have become involved in the distribution, as well as transportation, of illegal drugs and firearms. The fight for power between these known cartels has led to many arrests and deaths of cartel leaders as well as their rivals. While many factors have contributed to the escalating violence, security analysts in Mexico City trace the rising scourge to the longtime implicit arrangement between narcotics traffickers and governments controlled by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which lost its grip on political power in the late 1980s. There was a decrease in the fighting during the late 1990s but the violence steadily worsened after the 2000s. Origin Birth of all Mexican drug cartels is traced to former Mexican Judicial Federal Police agent Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, also known as “The Godfather”. He founded the Guadalajara Cartel in 1980. He started off by smuggling marijuana and opium into the United States and was the first Mexican drug chief to link up with Colombia’s cocaine cartels, which were run by Pablo Escobar. At the time Felix Gallardo was considered the lord of all Mexican drug smugglers and was in charge of all operations; there was just him, his people, and the politicians who sold him protection. In 1985 the Guadalajara...
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...Most people assume the drug war in Mexico should not be called a war at all, but through the first 11 months of 2008 the Mexican war has “about 1,000 more [deaths] than the number of U.S. military personnel [killed] in Iraq” (“Is Mexico’s” 3) in that same time period. You have to wonder why more isn’t done for this reoccurring violence and illegal activity. The Mexican drug war masked by powerful gang leaders called cartels and hidden by intimidated citizens will continue for many years unless both the United States and Mexico join together further more to stop this ongoing problem that has cost thousands of lives. The cartels using various forms of illegal money making techniques to attain their powerful state has received minimal defiance until recently by U.S. and Mexican governments. The cartels use highly illegal techniques to obtain power. These techniques originated because of the chance at 8-23 billion dollars estimated for anyone to obtain (“Is Mexico’s” 4). Topping the list to acquire money are illegal drugs which are the most “widely recognized source of criminal power in Mexico” stealing cars, kidnapping, smuggling Mexicans into United States, and protection rackets also increase their profit (Walters 2). This profit is made from drugs shipped to the U.S., and sold there because of the high demand. At the peak of these drugs is marijuana which it is the “single largest source of drug profits for cartels”. They can easily ship their marijuana to marijuana legal...
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...Mexico’s Drug War Drug trafficking has become an increasingly growing problem in the world today. Illegal drug trade is a worldwide black market consisting of production, distribution, packaging, and sale of illegal substances. Although today’s "War on Drugs" is a modern phenomenon, drug problems have been a common problem throughout history. The market for illegal drugs is massive, when we consider the estimated global drug trade value is worth $321 billion (Vulliamy). The most drug trafficking happens on the border between Mexico and the United States. Former Mexican President Felipe Calderon said, “Our neighbor is the largest consumer of drugs in the world. And everybody wants to sell him drugs through our door and our window” (Catholic Online). Mexico is the main foreign supplier of marijuana and a major supplier of methamphetamine to the United States. Mexico is responsible for 90% of drugs that comes from the southern border of the United States. Mexico has been a producer and distributer of illegal drugs for generations; the country now finds itself in a battle with powerful and well-financed drug cartels. The corruption in the Mexico, the trafficking of weapons and the violence has made it possible for cartels to keep operating. Since 2006, when president Calderon declared the war on drug cartels, violence in Mexico has increased dramatically. The country has certainly seen a big rise in drug violence, with cartels fighting for control of major shipment routes. Mexican...
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...DRUGS ACROSS BORDERS 1 Drug Trafficking At The US/Mexican Border Adrian Bryant ENG 122 Terri Hennessey August 29, 2011 DRUGS ACROSS BORDERS 2 Sections along the border between the United States and Mexico have become so dangerous, due to drug trafficking, that both governments appear to be helpless in their cause to defend themselves against the movement of drugs and the violence that this movement has caused. Mexico's President Felipe Calderon's actions are being challenged by its citizens. In May of 2011 the U.S. State Department advised U.S. travelers to steer clear of 10 Mexican states, including most of the border region and popular vacation sites such as Acapulco and Monterrey (Hsu, 2011). It is the opinion of the researcher that drug trafficking has become so intertwined into drug cartel related issues, that the U.S. and the Mexican government have completely loss the ability to control the flow of drugs or contain the violence's associated with drug trafficking. Both governments appear to be helpless in their plight to defeat the drug cartels leaders or their mission to sell and transport drugs into the United States. The security of the people living on both side of the borders is upmost. Businesses, large and small, need to be...
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...Mexico's Drug War There is a saying in Mexico that states “Mejor vivir como un rey por cinco años que vivir como laborador por cincuenta” which translates to “better to live as a king for five years than as an Ox for fifty.” This is particularly a famous saying between the poor youth because their opportunities are so limited they believe it is better to be part of the “narcos” and be a “narco king” for a short period than to live a long time as a laborer, worker, or slave. Consequently, throughout the years, drug cartels (the most famous being Sinaloa) have developed across Mexico with the intent of making money by selling drugs; this has caused many encounters with the law, corruption, and death. In addition, Fund for Peace (FFP), a research and educational institution, defines a failed state as a state or country whose politics, authority and economic system is weakened to the point that it is no longer in charge. Although this term has received criticism, it is a term given to define a state that has lost control over its territory, is unable to provide basic public services, and whose government is unlawful at time of making a decision consented by large groups. Mexico is currently under “warning” of becoming a failed state, primarily because of the strong roots that have grown within authorities and the government. It takes a stable country to help a failed state recover from its crisis; a prime example is the current relationship between Mexico and the U.S...
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...Careless U.S Policies Feed Mexican Drug War The United States (U.S.) has created many careless policies that motivate the Mexican Drug War. Many Americans wonder why we should care about the violent problems that plaque our neighbors to the south. Considering that almost nineteen million Americans buy illegal drugs, United States Citizens are responsible for the booming illegal drug industry for Mexican cartels. Experts estimate that $832 million is spent by New Yorkers alone. With millions in profit margins, it’s easy to see that Americans are not only driving the drug trafficking, but contributing to Mexico’s violence. Mexico’s drug war was initiated in 2006 by then Mexican President Felipe Calderon, when he sent 6,500 Mexican Army soldiers to the state of Michoacán to terminate drug violence. Since then, the number of soldiers patrolling Mexico has increased to approximately 50, 000 troops. In 2008 the Merida Initiative began. The Initiative is a partnership between the United States of America and Mexico. It was created to help Mexico combat organized crime, decrease the violence associated with the criminal organizations and support human rights. U.S. Congress claims it has appropriated $2.5 million to Mexico since the start. The programs within the Initiative include but are not limited to: reform of justice personnel, anti-corruption programs and procedures, scanners and x-ray machines that allow non-invasive inspections at checkpoints and borders, almost...
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...Financial Economic development in Latin America 2/11/2013 Drugs cartels in Mexico are hurting the economy of the country bringing down tourism as a big financial factor for Mexican economy. In 2006 president Felipe Calderon began military actions against cartels and since then in 2012 47,515 people were reported killed in drug related violence. (Gonzalez) With that kind of statistics people do not want to visit Mexico. Such a beautiful country with a lot of history is occupied with corruption, poverty, red tape and monopolies (Maung ). In 2007 avarage of nine or ten people killed each day and in 2012 the number grew to 51 people per day. Economy is growing at impressive rate at the moment but the cartels are slowing Mexican economy down. War between the military and powerful criminal cartels cost a lot of money to the government. Poverty is a big problem in Mexico that the war against cartels making worst by demolishing cities and killing what not innocent people (Maung). Mexicans War is more than a war it is a humanitarian crisis affecting cities, streets families and up growing children. The percent of federal crimes made by women rose to 400% since 2007 (Schwartz). Obviously the new tactic to go to war with cartels hurt Mexican stability of living. Corruption made it unbearable for people to live. Too many cops close their eyes on drug trafficking or a murder because of the drug issues. Corruption buys police, fear does everything else. Economy is hurt...
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...Introduction: Drug trafficking is one of the most serious issues the world faces, drug trafficking is so popular because it can be very profitable for violent and illegal organizations called cartels. There has been a serious war in Mexico against drug trafficking organizations for more than a decade with little success. Over the last ten years, the US government has helped with more than $2 billion dollars in financing intelligence resources to help Mexico's anti-drug traffick efforts, and even with the war against drugs, problems seem to continue arising. Many cartels in search for better-distributing options tend to use methods such as murders, kidnappings, and other crimes to expand their territory, which makes entire states live in terror....
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...Simon Waltzer Intro to Speech Communication 11/28/2010 Mexican Drug Wars In the early part of 2003 I went to the state of Michoacán in Mexico to visit my grandparents, because it had been since 1994 since I was last there. It was an incredible experience for me to once again see my family who many of them I’ve never met before. Never did I know that this might have been the last time that I would go visit them, no not because I didn’t want to but because of the circumstances surrounding the area of where my parents lived in. The reality was that Mexican Drug Cartel who has existed since the 1980s had become stronger and dangerous since newly elected Mexican President Felipe Calderon was in assumed office in December of 2006. Calderon hailing from that very state of Michoacán ordered 6,500 federal troops to the state of Michoacán to end the drug violence there. Ever since then, the drug violence between drug cartels and the Mexican Government has escalated to the highest extent. Although drug violence has existed long before the war with cartels and the government began, it was generally not as bad during the 1990s and early 2000s. This action is regarded as the first major operation against organized crime, and is generally viewed as the starting point of the war between the government and the drug cartels. As time progressed, Calderón continued to escalate his anti-drug campaign, in which there are now about 45,000 troops involved in addition of state and federal police...
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...Mexico: Drugs or Democracy Introduction Illicit drug trade between Mexico and the United States, estimated between $17 billion and $38 billion a year in 2009 by the Drug Intelligence Center, has a long and storied past. Cartels operated with relative impunity from government prosecution during the seventy year reign of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, (PRI). The movement from an authoritarian government system of the PRI to the liberal democracy initiated by the election victory of the National Action Party, (PAN), candidate, Vicente Fox, in 2000, disrupted the status quo. Election gains by PAN Representatives disrupted long standing agreements between the cartels and government officials which led to the increased violence that exists today. This paper will explore the history of the relationship between the cartels and the PRI. The effect of the increased violence from the cartels inhibits the efforts of PAN party officials to establish a lasting democracy. Literature Review Research shows the three distinct stages in the development of a cohesive relationship between drug cartels and government in Mexico and identifies the political and economic conditions that have allowed the drug trade to thrive. Comparing Mexico with Columbia, another narcotics state, provides an additional case study on the subject matter and highlights actions utilized successfully. A review of the current political and military efforts to curtail corruption within the government provides...
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...refined drug networks. Today, Mexico is the main provider of heroin to the U.S. market, and the major overseas dealer of methamphetamine and marijuana. Officials approximate that the drug trade makes up 3 to 4 percent of Mexico's $1.2 trillion annual GDP, making as much as $30 billion, and offers employment to about half a million people. Mexico's drug cartels have fought and at times made peace with each other over the years. . The biggest drug cartels in Mexico today include the Zetas, Sinaloa Cartel, Juárez Cartel, Tijuana Cartel, Beltran Leyva, and the Knights Templar. The Sinaloa, are older, more reputable organizations, while others, like the Knights Templar, have emerged more recently. (Council on Foreign Relations, 2014) http://www.cfr.org/mexico/mexicos-drug-war/p13689 The Mexican Drug War, began in December 2006, propelled by then-President Felipe Calderon, The war on drugs has been active for over eight years. The conflict between drug cartels as well as law enforced has had dire consequences on Mexico. Over 60,000 people have been murdered between 2006 and 2012, and the death toll rises every day. In early October, 43 Mexican students disappeared from Iguala, a town in Mexico. These students are yet to be found, investigators are confident that drug cartels were involved in their disappearance and freshly dug graves have been found. (Business insider, 2014) In 2008, the Sinaloa, the largest drug cartel in Mexico and the BLO broke their alliance and war between...
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...Mexican Drug Cartel’s didn’t one day decide to take over the failing country. It was a series of events that led up to the downfall of the government and the rise of a new age. That new age still exists today and is growing every second. The Cartel’s gained their power during the Cold War when Mexico’s government was focused on “internal enemies” when they were killing their own people thought to be in “guerilla groups”. These so called guerilla groups main intention was to protect themselves from the corrupt government but in time they evolved into what is now Mexican Drug Cartel’s. The main reason why the Mexican Drug Cartel’s exist today is because of Mexico’s corrupt government and how they handled the situation. The Mexican government has addressed this problem and has taken baby steps to their main goal and that is to stop these infamous drug cartels from whatever they are smuggling and what not. After World War II there was a slowing of economic growth in Mexico and at that very same time there was a large population growth. This did not go well for Mexico as they saw what little economy they had before slip away. The government still hasn’t rebounded and the economy is still as bad as it can be. Mexico has tried to seek aid from the U.S. but all we gave them was a little friendly advice which was to do what they did best, which basically is work hard get paid less. With little help from the United States, Mexico stands little chance in the war against drugs. A huge...
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...Tania Trevino English 1302 Johanna Hunt Nov 1, 2011 Mexican Drug War In 2006 Mexico’s current president Felipe Calderon declared war against drug cartels, since that day Mexico has not been the same. This declaration created a storm of violence throughout the country, and has left Mexican people hopeless and desperate to find a solution to this problem. Mexico has become a vulnerable country that fear drug cartels, and that lives surrounded by violence. It is essential to comprehend how this situation started, what effects it has had on Mexican society and what actions is the Mexican government taking to overcome this problem. It’s no surprise to say that the drug cartels have been around for many years, there has always been a great demand for drugs and Mexico following the Colombian steps has been up to date with selling drugs and transporting them to other countries. Its’ location has been very convenient and has created a connection between the southern countries and the Unites States. Everything started to deteriorate when Mexico’s president decided to declare war against them, the many arrests and deaths of cartel leaders lead to bloody conflicts between the Mexican Federal Police and the drug cartels. There are several main cartels that domain the country these are separated into alliances that are composed of two groups: The first group is formed by Juarez cartel, Tijuana cartel, Beltran-Leyva cartel and the Zetas, the second group is composed by Gulf cartel...
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...Abstract Illegal drugs are no longer just a domestic problem. The drug trade business is a multibillion dollar enterprise that is run by international criminals. The drug lords behind these operations, non-nation-state actors, have become more powerful than the nation-states in their respective regions. The current “War on Drugs” strategy has offered little hope for any decisive victory; instead it has dealt primarily with domestic drug prevention, treatment, and market disruption. In this paper, I will demonstrate that because illegal drug trafficking is so inextricably linked to international crime and terrorism, there is a critical need to increase Department of Defense initiatives, in conjunction with the other elements of national power, to develop a decisive anti-drug cartel strategy that will provide security for not only our nation but other nations as well and its citizens at home and abroad. Narcotics, guns and violence, the powerful elements of a never ending war. All these elements are part of the campaign to rid the world of the disaster that drugs so ferociously have inflicted upon the United States and Mexico. The United States and Mexico has for the past three decades declared that it is in a full fledged attack against drugs and the violence it fosters. For decades billions and billons of dollars have been justified through the infamous War on Drugs. The money and military activity have not been enough, and the “urban problem,” has not been solved. It...
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