The Mexican Narco-Trafficking Problem - Assignment Example

The Mexican Narco-trafficking problem Name: Course: Institution: Date: The Mexican Narco-trafficking problem Question 1 The main narcotic trafficking organizations (NTO) have the objective of realizing profits and dominance in their regions of operation. One of the main strategies is the ability to focus on the management of their external environment. NTOs such as Sinaloa Cartel have been successful in the implementation of this strategy by engaging in high-level bribery and corruption of senior government officials. NTOs use bribery in maintaining a suitable environment for the operationalization of their illegal business. Their corrupt activities, which include bribing federal officials and the citizenry, which make it easy to, conduct their illegal operations (Estevez 2014). Additional efforts that have been incorporated by NTOs in Mexico include the establishment of legal businesses in which they hide and reinvest profits generated by their drug trafficking activities. Through these investments it has becomes possible for NTOs to infiltrate government, influence the development of policies such that they can establish more routes, and identify additional business opportunities with limited disturbance from the government. Furthermore, by investing in legal businesses, presents new opportunities that can be used by NTOs in their objective of monopolizing the drug trafficking business (Cordoba & Harrup 2015). Financial resources are considered vital for the survival of NTOs. Through the financial resources, they can establish dominance and influence in the market. Financial resources enable effective bribery d corrupt activities considering that they can use these resources as tools for motivating government officials and the public towards the realization of a desired objective (Cordoba & Harrup 2015). It is also through corruption and bribery by the cartels that it has become relatively difficult for the Mexican government to eradicate the increasing influence of the cartels on the local and international platform. Furthermore, in the establishments of their dominance, these cartels have also been effective in using violent crimes against their competitors to establish dominance in different regions with the objective of enhancing their profitability and acquiring new markets of their business. In order to expand their influence into new areas, NTOs such as Zetas, the Gulf Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel have been involved in the creation of armed groups and criminal gangs (Cordoba & Harrup 2015). These cartels build up these enforcements operations through investments in weaponry procurement, trafficking, and recruitment of the police and the military. Through violent operations, the cartels have been successful in diversification of their activities with the objective of keeping their paramilitaries committed to their responsibilities. The cartels use violence in the establishment of territorial control (Beckhusen 2013). Through the efforts of the paramilitary and criminal gangs, cartels establish of their dominance by engaging in brutal killings, extortion, abduction, and human trafficking. The violence strategy adopted by NTOs has threatened the ability of the Mexican government to establish effective control mechanism against the cartels. This is because the violent activities enabled the NTOs to be developed into more effective and successful criminal business organizations with a large sphere of influence (Cordoba & Harrup 2015). An additional threat posed by these strategies was that NTOs have been willing to engage in violent competitions characterized by the development of military capabilities. For drug trafficking cartels such as Sinaloa Cartel, the strategy of aggressive expansion and violent attacks against the rival groups including its former allies has ensured continued dominance in the drug trafficking business. Violence has also been an effective approach that the cartels such as Sinaloa cartel because of the effective leadership that has continued to provide the organization with stability despite the disturbances in the hierarchy below. Through violence dominant NTOs have been successful in undermining the dominance of lesser and competitive organizations (Flores 2014). This has been realized through street battles, bombings, and organization of the arrest and killing of the leaders of these organizations Question 2 The Mexican government and the increasing population of target customers for drug are considered as the main stakeholders of NTOs. Throughout the years the Mexican government has been effective in the development of polices targeting the mitigation drug trafficking activities within the country and outside its borders (Fox 2012). Successive Mexican government has initiated policies such as violent attacks resulted in the eruption of new and more violent NTO organizations. Corrupt Mexican government official s have also been instrumental in propagating the activities of the drug cartels. This is because the ability of the organizations to bribe government officials into developing weak policies have resulted in the creation of an environment in which business drug cartel businesses thrive with limited disturbance from government operations (Fox 2012).. Furthermore, the ability of NTOs to engage in legal business activities and use them as platforms of hiding and reinvesting their profits has been considered as a major contributor to the development of Mexican economy and this can be a limiting factor in the ability of the government to establish effective control over the operations of NTOs. The increasingly expanding market for drug trafficking has resulted in the development of increased number of customers for drug related products. The rivalry emanating among NTOs in Mexico is because of the underlying desire of controlling a large customer population in Mexico and in other regions such as the United States (Fox 2012). Drug distribution to the end consumer is considered as the most lucrative part of the drug trafficking business. Drug cartels in Mexico bribe government officials and eliminating competition as a technique of ensuring that they remain dominant and relevant in the market (Meisner 2014). For NTOs such as Sinaloa cartel, the establishment of an effective dominance has been possible through the establishment of an effective relationship with US based distributors and suppliers from Colombia (Fox 2012). This ensures that the organization continues to maintain domains in the Mexican market while expanding its operations across international borders. The increase in demand levels for drugs in the Mexican market meant that there was growth in the billion-dollar drug market in Mexico. The demand led to the proliferation of more drug cartels, which intensified competition from Mexican NTOs providing limited opportunities for realizing high profits. Competition was based on territorial control the decision to diversify their operations into new markets on the international scene (Fox 2012). The European market was considered as the most effective destination for cocaine, others supplied new illicit drugs with the objective of developing a new niche market. The success of NTOs such as Sinaloa cartel can be attributed to its ability to establish effective connections with a large international customer base and suppliers. Through this dominant approach it became possible for the cartel to improve on its trafficking networks making it strategically located in the drug trafficking business. Furthermore, international approach in the execution of its business initiatives also helped the cartel in the development of effective drug corridors for the execution of all illegal narcotics across international borders (Pachico 2014). Through this approach to diversification, Sinaloa cartel established its effectiveness within different territories such that any cartel or organization involved in any drug related business could only operate under the authority of Sinaloa by paying taxes to the cartel. The Mexican market had been saturated by a plethora of cartels selling similar products. This led some NTOs into diversification through techniques characterized by the development of opportunities targeting the reinforcements of their territorial control through the development of domestic consumer markets. Part of these territorial control initiatives included the involvement of local communities in the distribution business hence increasing local dependency on the activities and revenue generated by NTOs (Pachico 2014). Question 3 Motivation of organizational members is an effective strategy available for NTOs in Mexico. This is because for these organizations to reliance efficiency in their ability to realize their objectives and missions it is important to have highly motivated workforce committed towards a common goal. Affective commitment among employees helps in the integration of a sense of shared values defined by identification with organizational objectives (Herscovitch et al 2002). NTOs in Mexico thrive in the establishment of dominance through effective control of territories with relatively high profits. Parts of these strategies are realized by engaging in violent and criminal activities against their competitors. Affective commitment among NTO employees increases when they identify with the goals of the organization (McElroy 2001). Just like any other business, the success of drug trafficking business increase with continued commitment, which can be affected if the relationship between the employer and the employees is severed (Herscovitch et al 2002). The emergence of smaller and vicious drug cartels in Mexico can be attributed to limited commitment by established cartels to motivate their employees through just wages. It is possible for cartels in Mexico to engage in strategies that can help in the realization of bot affective and continuance commitment. NTOs are associated with violence and this explains why thousands of citizens and employees have died in the hands of NTOs and affiliate groups. Operations launched by the Mexican government targeting the eradication of drug cartels have resulted in increased violence and deaths of innocent civilians and members of the cartel (Keefe 2014). Violence has been considered as an effective strategy of running successful cartels in Mexico because through violence it becomes possible to motivate employees to perform their duties in the most effective and satisfactory manner. These organizations have increasingly considered violence as the only way of establishing control and this explains why disloyalty and poor performance are punished violently (Lee 2014). Other than using punitive techniques in motivating their employees, cartels have been effective by paying their members satisfactory wages. The provsionof comparatively high wages has an instrumental role in enhancing affective and continuance commitment. This is because it allows the organizations to attract a large pool of skilled employees. This is because such an approach to compensation motivates employees since it makes them feel more valuable and this links individual performance to underlying rewards (Keefe 2014). The strategy of realizing affective and continuance commitment through initiatives such as shared organizational identity, violence, and monetary compensation is critical for the success of NTOs. The intensity and prevalence of violent crimes, which resulted in multiple killing, have attracted international attention from the United States and other international players on the need for the Mexican government to develop effective strategies targeting the mitigation of drug trafficking activities in Mexico and across international borders. The desire among these cartels to maintain their dominance despite the threats from the international society resulted in the emergence of new NTOs (Lee 2014). NTOs such as Zetas have continued to necessitate shifts in the Sinaloa cartel dominance because of its ability to use extreme violence and brutality when engaged with its opponents. Unlike the traditional NTOs, this organization is more opportunistic considering that its principal motivation emanates from the desire to generate income and gain effective control in different areas. For Sinaloa Cartel the threat of Zetas has resulted in intensified operations towards maintaining its core competencies and brand reputation focused on reliability and quality. For this cartel, these changes have resulted in increased desire to control local economies considering the essence of these networks to their survival. The existing changes in the operations of NTOs can also be attributed to the decision by Mexican government to attack this organization by targeting their leadership. Inasmuch as this approach was instrumental in temporarily destabilizing the cartels, it has been ineffective in eliminating the drug trafficking business in Mexico (Keefe 2014). This is because NTOs have been able to develop adaptation mechanisms and continued with their supply initiatives to their customers. Power struggles and dominance within the drug trafficking market continue to soar despite relentless efforts by the Mexican government and international bodies to develop strategies targeting NTOs. Question 4 The violent strategy adopted by NTOs in the operationalization of the drug trafficking business can be evaluated in terms of their sustainability in the realization of the goals of these organizations. Other than relatively stable and legendary leadership, NTOs such as Sinaloa Cartel has been successful because relatively successful in the drug trafficking business (McGahan 2014). Punitive and highly violent measures against employees contravening the laws of the organization continue has been an effective approach towards successful operationalization. Violence has been effective in establishing the power of the NTO not only among employees but also among local residents and government officials (Bonner 2012). The fear of possible consequences resulting from fear have made it possible for NTOs to establish their power through brutal killings and torturing of individual perceived as disrespectful. The corrupt relationships established between these cartels and the government is relatively detrimental to their success. This is because the nature of relationship is dependent on the prevailing system of power. Theoretically, change in the political leadership of has effects on the operations of NTOs. This is because the coming of anew government implies an end to existing political linkages and the establishment of fresh relationships defined by the policies of the ruling government (Brown et al 2012). For NTOs, cohabiting with government officials is considered as the most effective technique through which they can navigate government policies and procedures in ways that will enhance their ability to realize their objectives (Lee 2014). For NTOs, corruption is the only way through which they can establish themselves as major players in the business world considering that failure to act in accordance with the demands of corrupt officials may result in the arrest or killing of their leadership hence destabilizing their operationalization. The strategy of ensuring affective and continuance commitment can also be assessed in terms of the ability of NTOs to recruit highly effective organizational members. The measure is on the ability of the cartels to selectively recruit employees who identify as good fit with the goals and objectives of the organization. Furthermore, the success of this strategy can be assessed through an examination of the extent to which employees and the management feel comfortable as part of the business (Bonner 2012). Split of NTOs and the eruption of new ones within the same market signify the inability of this organization to operate in ways that are satisfactory in addressing the needs of employees. The frequency of power struggles among the leaders can also be understood as symbolizing the inability of an organization to enhance cohesion among its employees and the management (Booth & Fainaru 2009). At the local level, NTOs recruit uneducated and largely unskilled personnel in the distribution of their products. This is considered as an effective approach because it enhances the ability of the organization to effect its control and power over the locals. Question 5 Effective eradication of drug trafficking business in Mexico would include the adoption strategies targeting the leadership of these organizations. This is because by arresting and jailing these leaders on charges of drug trafficking and other violent crimes it will be easier for the government to weaken the organizational structures of the NTOs. This strategy can be effective because most of these leaders have established connections with political players across the international platform. By arresting them, it will be possible to cut the existing links, which are critical in the operationalization of cartel business. Successive Mexican government has been involved in instigating violent attacks against NTOs as a technique of mitigating their effect (Bonner 2012). However, part of their failure was the increasing level of influence and the existence of corrupt individuals within these governments who made it relatively difficult to operationalize government objectives. This means that it will be effective for the government to streamline its operations through the introduction of tough legislations targeting government officials cooperating with NTOs in facilitating drug trafficking business (Meisner 2014). This approach can be considered effective because it will minimize the levels of corruption while improving on the efficiency and effectiveness of the police, military and anti-drug trafficking units. Eradicating corruption within the government serves as the most effective policy measure that can help in addressing drug trafficking business in Mexico (Collins & Han 2004). This can be enhanced by the introduction of policies targeting the Mexican justice system. The justice system has the responsbility of interpreting the law in ways that conquer with the country’s constitution. When the justice system is focused on the transparency in dispensing justice, it becomes relatively easier for the government to improve on its level of effectiveness and efficiency in addressing drug trafficking related concerns (Bonner 2012). The department of justice and other arms of the government can improve on their effectiveness and efficiency by ensuring that policies developed are implemented according to the letter of the law. Collaboration between the Mexican government, and other international players can help in addressing border issues that related to the business of drug trafficking. The success of drug trafficking business lies in the production, packaging, and distribution, which occurs internationally (Campos & Giovannoni, 2006). Collaborative efforts with different players on the international scene it will be possible to develop uniform policies targeting different stages of producing, packaging or distributing the drugs to the target customers (Bonner 2012). In addition, through uniformity of laws and collaborative efforts against NTOs it will be possible for developed internationally recognized sanctions and agreements targeting countries for entities in violation of the commonly developed policies. Effective strategies in the elimination of NTOs and drug trafficking business would require the creation of conditions in which violent crimes are less profitable. This is because for the NTOs, drug trafficking is a business whose profitability depends on embracing fighting as a strategy. NTOs choose violence whenever it resulst in more benefits than costs. For these cartels, killing drug trafficking competitors and assuming control of their territories increases illegal earnings making violence profitable in Mexico. Effective mitigation of drug trafficking business can be enhanced when the Mexican government introduces measures such as incentives, imprisonments, and arresting of criminal gangs such that these NTOs find it less profitable to engage in criminal activities. technique will be effective in combating impunity . Through this initiative, the Mexican government will make violent criminal behaviors risky. Furthermore, the development and adoption of this strategy will play a role in enhancing the ability of the Mexican government to improve on its effectiveness and efficiency in addressing impunity related issues at all levels of the society (Bjerk & Mason 2014). Eradicating impunity will make Mexico a hostile environment for NTOs hence increasing the possibility of mitigating the effects of drug trafficking business. 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