Drug Trafficking Cartels - Essay Example

Drug Trafficking Cartels Introduction United s, Columbia, and Mexico are countries that are suffering from crimes of organized cartels dealing with drug trafficking all over the world. According to (Kleiman), thousands of people die every month due to organized groups and cartels involved in drug trafficking. The illegal drugs mostly involved include cocaine, cannabis, heroine, and methamphetamines. Meth is a synthetic drug, and its production does not require environmental factors to be produced hence not grown indoors and hence manufactured. It is indeed one of the most traded drugs and, it has the highest profit margin according to statistics from United Nations (2010). The cartels have a reliable supply of guns and other weapons used while conducting their business. Mexico is the hub of this business and almost all the illicit drugs used in the United States comes from Mexico. This paper looks at the policies set by the two governments and the extent they have gone to reduce or prevent the crime. The paper also compares the rate of drug trafficking between Columbia and Mexico and their impacts in the world. In addition to this, this paper also discusses the politics and political impacts affecting the rate of drug trafficking within these countries. Government policies The current policies used by these countries in bid to control this crime are unsatisfactory. United States has the highest demand for illicit drugs in the world. It is for this reason that Mexico and Columbia has identified the country as their best destination for selling their drugs. It is clear that prohibiting the use of illicit drugs is not an option to combat this deadly crime. However, possible strategies proposing legalizing the drugs and embracing health and treatment as control measures are under intense debate. This is only possible if these countries agree. Increased crackdown of drug users and cartels has led to increased cases of drug trafficking between these two countries. It is also crucial to note that since then the avenues of drug trafficking have increased making the prices of drugs cheaper. This encourages more participants in the market. During the reigns of president Bush of America, Columbia and America organized a five-year plan that aimed at cutting or reducing narcotic production by half. With most of refugees migrating to Colombia, it has been a problem to reduce drug trafficking in the country (Hylton). The relationship between Columbia and US weakened 4-5 years ago due to the collapsing talks concerning drug trafficking. The failing administrative policies between these two countries pose serious security threats to the US. Mexico country is currently receiving aids inform of military personnel, guns and other resource with the aim of overcoming the cartels. United Nation International Narcotics Control Board has also played a significant role in employing policies aiming at reducing drug trafficking in Columbia and Mexico. However, such organizations and other multinational organizations have failed in their quest to control drug trafficking because of their reliance on interdiction and use of force rather than use of public health approaches and other related options. Use of drugs becomes addictive with time and, the only way to reduce its consumption is by offering counseling and guidance to users. Countries like the US begin offering guidance and counseling to children as low as 9 years old with the aim of preventing them from indulging in illicit drugs. US is also reported to be contributing to increased drug trafficking rates in the world due to the readily accessible weapons. Most of the weapons confiscated in Mexico have their roots in US. With this problem, it is even more difficult for Mexican officials to control drug trafficking since they are not able to inspect the weapon database in the US. Crime level and drug trafficking continue to rise in Mexico due to the low education levels and poor enforcement agencies. In 2001, Capo Guzman escaped from jail while the US was almost extraditing him for crimes against humanity and drug trafficking (Kleiman). With low or little development in information and technology, the country is unable to combat drug trafficking in the country. The US enjoys the advantages of advanced security and technology but, this only solves less than half of their problem. Victor Hugo an analyst in Mexico suggest that legalizing illicit drugs such as heroine, meth, and cocaine can be a solution for reducing drug trafficking in the world. In addition to this, most analysts suggest that illicit drugs such as heroine and cocaine can be handled the way alcohol and other alcoholic drinks are handled (Kleiman). Full commercialization of these drugs is likely to increase competition and introduce many players in the market. This will help in shrinking the cartels therefore, channeling money into more productive areas within these countries. Another possible suggestion is that reduction of jail terms and regular testing policies can reduce the rate of drug consumption and drug trafficking in the world. Politics and political interest in drug trafficking In 1999, sales of narcotics and illicit drugs in Colombia almost equaled sales of petroleum a major export earner for the country at $3.9 billion (Hylton). This is due to corrupt deals between the government and cartels. There is a growing concern over the involvement of politicians in drug trafficking. Recently there have been debates concerning the election of Mexican president about his involvement and connections with drug trafficking cartels in the country. The current Mexican Pena Nieto president defeated his counterpart who highly anticipated being the next president. He has a lot of influence in drug trafficking and cartels especially the Sinaloa an organized crime group. Reports indicate that Nieto received funds from these cartels to fund his campaigns (Finnegan). With such allegations, whether true or false it becomes difficult to control drug trafficking in Mexico. Guadalaraja is a central hub for drug trafficking. Sinaloa and Zetas are some of the largest crime groups and cartels that exist in Mexico. Drug trafficking and crimes resulted to 55,000 deaths since 2007 since president Felipe waged war on drug trafficking. Columbia is a major producer in cocaine in the world. The country’s role in restoring control of its natural resources such as mining and energy banks has continued to weaken. Colombian security forces especially at the borders leading to influx of drug trafficking in and out of the country. Journalists who highlight and bring out information about drug trafficking operate with lots of fear. They are not allowed to release any information about drug trafficking. Before the new century, organized crime groups enjoyed a lot of power and prospered but, with the shift of governance by PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party), things have taken a twist. Reports also implicate Calderon former president as a major player in drug trafficking (Hylton). This undermines the ability of the army to prevent and reduce drug trafficking in the country. In May, this year, his immediate juniors were arrested for participating in drug trafficking. Victor Hugo a reporter reveals that Monterrey the third largest city in Mexico has been free off security and organized crime cartels are having authority over the city. He affirms that police has lost total control in the streets (Smith). This questions the level of involvement of the government and politicians in drug trafficking and organized crime groups in the country. Zeta, an organized criminal cartel employs more than 10,000 militias and controls East Coast of Mexico while the government watches. These group aims at ensuring that a corridor is opening in the East Coast to allow flow of drugs from Guadalaraja to West Coast. In addition to, this group is now controlling half the total towns in Mexico. The militia groups have several times shown interest in overthrowing the Mexican government. Such threats indicate serious security breach in the country. The militia and cartels have influential powers on who rules over the military, common police, and local political arena. Under certain circumstances, the militia groups kill an opponent in order to elect one of their own to boost their chances of survival. Drug trafficking in Mexico and Columbia As already, indicate above, Columbia is one of the world’s largest producers of cocaine. The last two decades have seen US fight Colombia over drug trafficking. At the beginning of this century, Colombia plus US decided to engage in a program dubbed “Plan Colombia”, which aimed at cutting and melting down narcotic production in the country. Colombia is a major exporter of oil. In 1999 sales from oil and sales of illegal drugs almost equalized at $ 3.9 billion. In 2000 Plan Columbia came into action and through the help of the military and the police, they managed to fumigate most of the coca plantations. However, this plan failed so much in bringing down drug trafficking but, succeeded in training and maintaining the Armed forces and paramilitaries. Despite these reports, it is still very difficult for these two countries to control drug trafficking cartels. The Mexican political system is now decentralized giving room for hopes in dealing with drug trafficking. However, the dominance of militia groups almost controlling half of Mexico is troubling US. The easiest solution in combating this problem within these countries is establishing negotiation with the crime groups and cartels. Reports indicate that these crime groups and cartels have constantly distanced themselves from thee negotiations (Shirk). Government efforts in dismantling and breaking down large organized cartels are also another strategy that needs embracing in bringing down this vice. President Barrack Obama announced that his major strategy in combating drug trafficking is through prevention and treatment. This involves treating the drug-addicted patients by placing them under care and monitoring them in rehabilitation facilities. Presidents of Colombia, Mexico and other countries faced with the problem reiterates that combating the problem using coercion has shown insignificant results. The presidents proposed new methods of combating the problem. According to most American Psychologists, legalizing the drugs will have greater impacts on younger generation given the fact that the drugs are so addictive (Finnegan). However, in 2010 over 50% advocated for legalization of marijuana in California by voting (Finnegan). Conclusion Organized crime groups and cartels have increasingly grown in Columbia and Mexico. Politicians interest in drug trafficking and cartels are affecting implementation policies that can help reduce this vice. However, a different approach seems to rise as a way to combat this problem. The use of treatment and drugs is an approach that can be embraced in order to control and reduce cases of drug trafficking. The two countries still need donor aids in terms of military and trained personnel to aid in combating the highly sophisticated organized crime groups and cartels. The international organizations need to put more effort in controlling this vice. Works cited Finnegan, William. "The Kingpins; Letter from Mexica fight for Guadalaraja." New Yoker (2011): 7-8. Hylton, Forrest. Evil hour in Columbia. New York: Bath Press, 2006. Kleiman, Mark. "At the scene of a cartel shooting, Guadalajara, Mexico, February 12, 2011." Scene of Cartel Shooting (2011): 7. Shirk, Luis Astorga and David A. "Drug Trafficking Organizations And Counter-Drug Strategies In The U.S.-Mexican Context." Journal of Drug trafficking and Antinicortics (2009): 61-62. Smith, John Chipman & James Lockhart. "South America: Framing Regional Security, Survival ." Global Politics and Strategy (2009): 51:6, 77-104. Read More