...Conflict in Mexico: The War o n Drugs What’s going on? The Mexican Drug War is an ongoing armed conflict among rival drug cartels fighting each other for regional control and against the Mexican government forces and civilian vigilante groups. Dates Military intervention began in 2006 and carries on to this day. However, drug manufacturing and trading can be seen as far back as the 1980s Causes of the conflict The illegal manufacturing, selling and worldwide distribution of a large number of class A drugs. Cultural causes can be seen as drugs are a large part of some peoples’ lives and they wish to implement it onto others. Ideological causes can be seen also, as the military wishes to live in a country without drugs. Also, within gangs, the ideology is for a particular cartel to be the most powerful, even if this means killing off the competition. Expression – How has it manifested itself? War between not only rival drug cartels but between the military and the cartels themselves has broken out in Mexico since 2006. In the years 2006-10, approximately 35,500 people have been killed due to drug related violence; 89% of these being gang members, the rest being military members/soldiers. Pattern National & international. Although the war on drugs is very much civil within Mexico, making it national, much of the products produced have been found crossing the border into America, with the American government (particularly the DEA) dealing very heavily with the war...
Words: 349 - Pages: 2
...Nixon initiated the War on Drugs. More than a decade later, President Ronald Reagan launches the South Florida Drug Task force, headed by then Vice-President George Bush, in response to the city of Miami’s demand for help. In 1981, Miami was the financial and import central for cocaine and Marijuana. Thanks to the task force, drug arrests went up by 27%, and drug seizures went up by 50%. With that, the need for prosecutors and judges also rose which helped boost our economy (Thirty Years of America’s Drug War). Despite these increased arrests and seizures, marijuana and cocaine still poured into south Florida. At this stage, the root of the problem was the Columbian Cartels, and they weren't attacked; the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) soon realized that they needed to suppress the cartels. In 1982, the DEA went to Columbia to eradicate fields of marijuana and coca plants; these fields were located and burned. The hard part now, was finding the labs used to turn the coca leaves into cocaine. These labs were in very remote locations, to avoid any surveillance. On March 10,1984 the DEA finally was able to track down the chemicals used to process cocaine in one of the labs, they seized twelve tons of cocaine; it was the DEA’s biggest take down yet. Despite the DEA’s hard word and efforts the availability of cocaine on American streets remained the same. The Cartel leaders had money, and began to acquire power; they even run for political office and won. Drug dollars poured into Columbia...
Words: 1636 - Pages: 7
...Legalizing All Drugs DeVry University ENGL135 Advanced Composition June 7, 2011 Legalizing All Drugs Legalizing drugs has been a controversial topic to the American public. An issue such as this conjures up moral and religious beliefs, beliefs that differ from logical reasoning. Our government’s “War on Drugs” is being fought against her citizens, an effort to eliminate both drug distribution and usage. The government’s policies to eradicate drugs have failed only leaving a trail of political chaos and social unrest. Although the policy’s intentions are pure, it is causing undesirable effects that are rampant through society from the policies of prohibition: murder, corruption, assault, racial and economic marginalization, just a few examples of the effects fueled by the cold and inhuman policies of prohibition. The idea of prohibition is an old one and it is not practical to apply in our democratic government that is based on individual rights. The prohibition of alcohol during the roaring 20’s is the perfect example that proves prohibition is a failed policy that cost many people their lives. The legalization of all illegal drugs, will minimize if not eliminate violence related to drugs, will ensure safe regulation through the standards of pharmaceutical companies, and will save money in so many ways. Violence related to both the sale and use of drugs will minimize if not diminish if they are legalized. How are drugs and violence related? Drugs and violence...
Words: 3155 - Pages: 13
...yrs. later Argentina endured series of military and governments struggling against both political and economic difficulties • Set out wage war against guerrillas and improve economy • Desapaparecidos are disappeared people • Free elections were held in 1983 • Fernando de la Rua became the new president in 1999 Peru • Had economic problem • Two major guerrillas were MTRA, Shining Path • Drug trafficking complicated Peru’s situation • Groups accepted money for cocaine business • Albert Fujimori took over country in Chaos • Mid-1996 population declined • In 2000 Fujimori fled the country amid a growing corruption scandal Columbia • A nation of turmoil following World War 2 • 1957 was so bad that the 2 major political parties agreed to form a coalition government • Country was considered a model of democracy • Drugs had changed Columbia • Cartel used assassination and other threats to gain control • Behind the political violence stood the drug lords • Columbian declared war on drug cartels. Resulted in a open warfare in the headquarters of a drug cartel • Cali cartel owned 70% of the world trade in cocaine • Economic and...
Words: 369 - Pages: 2
....................................... 3 Part III: A put-up job? .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Part IV: enclosure .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 1 HOW TO WRITE A PAPER. BARBARA WIGMAN MEXICO. POOR WRETCH. INTRODUCTION The war-on-drugs is a widely known phenomena all over the world. When pinpointing the war-on-drugs, Mexico is mostly the first country which comes to mind. Poor wretch, or not? It is no big secret that the greatest drug dealer of the world is Mexico, and that his neighbour; the United States of America (US), is the greatest narcotic consumer of the world. Is this a coincidence? Obviously not! No doubt that these two influence each other big time. The question remaining is: Who was first; The chicken or the egg? In this paper a reflexion will be given upon the relation between...
Words: 1762 - Pages: 8
...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, Sinaloa cartel and La Familia cartel. These two groups...
Words: 1022 - Pages: 5
...Mexico. The drug cartels have taken over the city and have continued to control the city. The city officials have been defeated over and over again; hopeless they still search for new ways to win this ongoing war. Using technology in the United States has become a crucial part of it's survival, since our failure to use intelligence properly in the attack of nine-eleven. Mexico is now attempting to use use the same method in hope that they can be steps ahead of the cartel to ensure success. The Drug Cartels are very violent organizations in Mexico. Between December 2006 and December 2010, there were more than 30,000 deaths in the country. The Cartels in Mexico have become very powerful since the Colombian cocaine traffickers were prevented from transporting their drugs through the Caribbean into the United States. In the 1970 the Colombian cartels transported the cocaine shipment either by plane or by sea. The United States with the use of radar could easily track them and confiscate their shipment. In the drug cartel technology usage will be used in the measure intelligence it is “investigating illegal drug trafficking” . (Buckley, John (2013-10-30) In the late 1980’s the cartel had to ship large shipments. The Columbian Cartel would do their shipment through the Caribbean . In this book it states that it “was easy guarded with the use of radar and since all drugs shipments were made by air or sea“. (Meisenhalter 129) The Colombian cartel was forced to...
Words: 2637 - Pages: 11
...Abstract War on drugs has been a problem in the United States. The prospect then was that drug trafficking in the United States could be significantly reduced in a small amount of time through federal The amount has been enormous in times of lives, our money and the welfare of countless Americans, particularly the poor and less educated. By most accounts, the gains from the war have been modest at best. Identity one drug cartel, and explain The Zetas began out as an enforcer gang for the Gulf Cartel predominantly composed up of former Special Forces operatives. Their military education and uncontrolled cruelty showed an underworld match changer, with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) relating them as possibly "the most technologically...
Words: 765 - Pages: 4
...across the Rio Grande. Almost all people who immigrate illegally to the United States risk their lives. There are many examples. An example is that many Mexicans use coyotes. In this case, coyotes are not animals but are people who get pay about a thousand dollars for transportation to the United States. The illegal drug market in the United States is one of the most profitable in the world. As such, it attracts the most ruthless, sophisticated, and aggressive drug traffickers. The most common way the trafficker’s use is tractor- trailers and migrants on foot. Diverse groups traffic and distribute illegal drugs, but the most powerful trafficker is Joaquin Guzman, linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, who goes by the nickname El Chapo. This criminal groups operating from South America smuggle cocaine and heroin into the United States using variety of routes, including land routes through Mexico, maritime routes along Mexico's east and west coasts, sea routes through the Caribbean, and international air corridors. Furthermore, criminal groups operating from neighboring Mexico smuggle cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and marijuana into the United States. The drug...
Words: 469 - Pages: 2
...waters by a drug cartel, Just after this incident a Mexican investigator who was searching for this man’s body was found beheaded and was delivered to the Mexican military in a suitcase. These are just a few of the known violent acts carried out by drug cartels recently. The Mexican drug war has been going on since 2006 but recently has been given more publicity. What is the history behind the drug war, the drug cartels, and what is the US is doing to protect its citizens from this war. It is important as Americans that we understand what is taking place so close to home and that can one day affect us directly. According to Lee and History Guy Media the Mexican Drug War is an armed conflict between drug cartels and the Mexican Government. A drug cartel is defined as an illicit cartel formed to control the production and distribution of narcotic drugs. The mexican govt has attempted to crack down on different drug organizations by arresting leaders in the drug trade. In the CRS report for congress it states that Mexico is one of the highest producers and smugglers of cocaine, marijuana, and heroine due to its location geographically. Annually they make between 13 to 48 billion dollars from the US drug market. Violence is increasing as years go by with 8,500 lives taken this year alone which brings the total to nearly 30,000 lives since the beginning of the war. There are many known drug cartels in Mexico today. According to the Mexican Government there are seven cartels. The major...
Words: 617 - Pages: 3
...powerful, federal and local governments are losing control. These weapons that are making there way into Mexico are making it easier for the drug cartels to move drugs up and down North and South America. Also weapons are durable goods, which means that these weapons making there way to Mexico can be sold to other crime organizations and used again and again. This paper will look at two cases in particular, in which weapons are crossing U.S. borders and making there way into the hands of Los Zetas and the consequences that have resulted. What Lay’s Ahead For Mexico Globalization is something that is changing the way that we live. No matter where you go in the world you almost always see influences from other countries in one form or another. It has both positive and negative affects within society. For example, poor countries that are rich in natural resources can distribute them to other countries to benefit their own economy. However, globalization can have negative affects as well. International crime organizations across the world are gaining more access to high-power weapons because of the way that globalization has changed how merchandize is exchanged. For instance, lets look at Mexico, for some time now in Mexico there has been a tremendous amount of drug violence and kidnappings, and lots of areas are unsafe to visit. The drug cartels are gaining more power and the Mexican Government is getting close to losing complete control of the country. President Felipe Calderón...
Words: 1544 - Pages: 7
...Immigration Today the United States is facing two major problems, the first being the national debt growing to over thirteen trillion dollars and it seems like it will continue to grown unless something drastic happens. The second problem this great country is facing is the growth of illegal immigrants. To some this may not seem to be an issue but it truly is, with an estimated population of a little over 308 million people living in the United States it is estimated that there are close to 10 million illegal aliens currently living in the United States today and it is suppose to grow by about half a million each year unless some changes are made. Since 2008 our country has been in a severe resection some even say it is a depression, and with the unemployment at 9.5% many of the possible jobs that are available are being taken by the illegal immigrants for lower rates. If all the immigrants were fired from their current job and some one that was unemployed we would cut or unemployment down to 6% or less. With more people employed more money would be pumped back into the country. Many people don’t realize that most of the money that is earned by illegal immigrants is not kept in the country. Most is send back to the country where they came from. This is a major problem in today’s society because public spending is what we need to turn this country around, and I don’t mean the kind that President Obama did with his bail out money. Many of the companies that employ these...
Words: 1003 - Pages: 5
...The Drug Business Tawni Masters CJA 384 January 30, 2012 Sherryl Roten-West The Drug Business The illegal drug business in the United States is not a new business. This business has been around for quite some time. In this paper I will discuss the history of illegal drug business in the United States including the types of drugs that involved in the illegal drug business. I will also be discussing illegal drug syndicates and cartels a long with their structures and operational methods. Also I will be talking about some of the modern trends of organized drug trafficking. Finally I will answer, explain, and provide recommendations to the question, is there is a better solution to the ways in which we combat the drug business in the United States. The illegal drug business in the United States consists of all different types of activities from drug use to drug sales to producing and manufacturing to trafficking. Until the 1940’s most Italian Mafia leaders were strict with their rules telling their outfits that they were to avoid dealing drugs. A few leaders, notably Charles “Lucky” Luciano, broke that rule and used their organizations to push other gangs out of the drug trade and developed sophisticated networks for importing and selling illegal drugs in the United States (Mazzeno, 2011). During World War II illegal drugs were becoming less available in the U.S. because traffickers had a difficult time importing the drugs from overseas areas that were already in a conflict...
Words: 1431 - Pages: 6
...Over the past years, Mexico has experienced extreme changes due to the violent drug wars. Violence has presented itself in every neighborhood, every street corner, and even in the schools. Chalk outlines are seen drawn on various streets of homicide scenes. Thousands of people have lost their lives in the hands of drug traffickers. Life itself in Mexico, has taken a change for the worse. One may ask what the reasons are for this wave of violence. The most logical answer, of course, is to blame the criminals. It is the drug lords who are smuggling, transporting, and selling these drugs. They should be the ones held responsible, right? The answer to this question is deeply rooted in the history of corruption in the Mexican Government. The reason for this wave of violence in Mexico is because the people have began to stand up against the unjust behaviors of the Government. Mexico has been noted to have one of the worlds most corrupt governments in the nation. There have been allegations of corruption in politics, businesses and even the banking systems. The people of Mexico view the government as weak and unjust. Their inability to supply the people with their most basic needs and rights has left the people of Mexico with no choice but to remove their trust from the government. Like most corrupt systems, the Mexican Government acts on a system of hierarchy. They advocate for the rich and leave the poor to fin for themselves. Those who did advocate for the poor were viewed as rebels...
Words: 724 - Pages: 3
...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...
Words: 305 - Pages: 2
