The fight against illegal drug production and consumption, as well as the war against terrorism has plagued the world for more than a decade. In particular, the United States has faced multiple terrorist attacks and the issues of drugs continues to put a damper on society within the country. The nations of Latin America are greatly affected by the tragic effects that occur within their powerful and influential neighbor. History shows that the nation of Colombia has had relatively friendly and cooperative relations with the United States. In result of the events that have occurred globally and within the U.S., the country of Colombia has vowed itself in alliance to the superpower. The cooperation when it comes to the war on terror and drugs …show more content…
In one article written by Bruce Michael Bagley, he suggests that due to the U.S. involvement in the efforts by both countries has been considered counterproductive. Bagley is a professor at the University at Miami where he teaches International studies. In his article, “Drug Trafficking, Political Violence and U.S. Policy in Colombia in the 1900’s “ he states “This dramatic shift in contraband routes was undoubtedly bought about by the heightened interdiction efforts of U.S. law enforcement agencies, reinforced by the growing involvement of the U.S. military (especially the Navy and Air Force). U.S. “success” on this front in the war on drugs did not, however, result in a reduction in the availability of cocaine (or heroin) in the U.S. market, much less a rise in street prices, over the 1990s”. Through this statement, he suggests that through their efforts to derail the sale, production and consumption of drugs, they have instead done the exact opposites. In way the United States was able to increase the profit being made by drug producers and dealers although there has been a production in the profit. The risk was only increased by the United States using military forces as an attempt to influence the drug trade. The reward of taking that risk has seemed to be much greater to those involved due to higher amount of profit and a greater demand for a lowered …show more content…
The article “The Democratic-Peace Thesis and U.S. Relations with Colombia and Venezuela” written by Williams Avilles. He is a professor of Latin American Comparative politics at the University of Nebraska: Kearney. In this specific article, he focuses on the possible negative attributes that could come with the U.S. inserting themselves into Colombia affairs like the Drug and terror issues. The United States will always prioritize themselves over another nation obviously. Moreover, Avilles takes notes that in the past twenty to thirty years the effort of full democracy for Colombia has not happened. He states “transitional capital’s opposition to a tougher U.S. policy against Samper complemented the continued support that the U.S. government demonstrated for coercive sectors of Colombia’s low intensity democracy while simultaneously pressing it to do more to achieve U.S. objectives in the drug war”. The claim shows the contradiction of the United States efforts for the various issues it has “their hand in” regarding Colombian affairs. The U.S. vows to protect and help Colombia as a country so that it can prolong stability and continue to progress in future. That vow comes with circumstances do ensure the fulfillment of the U.S. priorities first. For example, Avilles points out the United States wants to impact the drug trade and lead to its