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 400 canines to detect any contraband, as well as specialized aircrafts and training for Mexican pilots and technicians.

The Initiative, however, is not without its critics, claiming that rather than curbing Mexico’s drug problem it is only aiding it. Many compare the Merida Initiative to Plan Columbia, which was initiated in 1999 between Columbia’s President Andrés Pastrana and U.S.