It has been three years since President Felipe Calderon declared a war on drugs, since his declaration there have been countless drug related murders in Mexico, particularly around the border cities. On June 7, 2008, about two years after the inception of the war on drugs, Dallas News.com reported that opinion polls show that “Mexicans believe that the powerful and well-armed drug cartels are outgunning the government”[1]. The increased incidents of death and violence have left some Mexican residents feeling as though the government is losing the battle against the drug cartels.
On November 26, 2009 President Calderon announced that the remaining three years of his administration will focus on the living conditions of the country’s residents.[2] In recent years there has been an increase in the number of people living in poverty. As mention in a previous post, young men living in poverty are being recruited into the drug cartels as foot soldiers. President Calderon stated that he is not abandoning his fight against drugs; rather he is taking a different approach. The monetary benefits the drug cartels provide outweigh the enormous danger associated with being a member. Eliminating poverty would eliminate the benefits the drug cartel brings which in turn would eliminate the force behind the cartels.
Poverty, corruption, power, violence, and crime are all associated with Mexican drug cartels. There is no singular explanation for the rise of drug cartels which makes their destruction that much more complicated.
[1] Iliff, L. and Corchado, A. Mexican president losing war on drugs, polls indicate. The Dallas Morning News.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/060708dnintmexpoll.2fade9e.html
[2] Stevenson, M. Mexican president says poverty now first priority. The Associated Press.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hkHIwZXZJMX4LP5lUY27wkwm3q5gD9C71C6G0
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
MEXICO’S DEADLIEST CITY: Ciudad Juarez
Mexican trooops patrol Ciudad JuarezPost 7:
Since the war on drugs was declared in Mexico cities on the United States-Mexico border have become one of the deadliest in all of Mexico. One city in particular is Ciudad Juarez, which borders the Texas city of El Paso. In the last few years Ciudad Juarez has been in the media for the numerous unsolved murders of young women, a phenomenon known as femicide. Many of these murders have not been linked to any of the cartels. The murders that have been linked to the drug cartels are the average of seven daily drug related homicides.[1]
Having the reputation of being Mexico’s deadliest city is not good for local businesses. According to the New York Daily News local Juarez businesses want to turn to the United Nations for help controlling the violence in their city. Business owners have come to this point of desperation after Mexico’s deployment of troops as well as the United States’ soldiers reinforcements have failed to decrease Ciudad Juarez’s murder rates.
On any given day Ciudad Juarez experiences an average of seven murders a day. On November 7, 2009 the Associated Press reported 15 murders in Ciudad Juarez.[2] The BBC experienced the violence of Ciudad Juarez during an evening ride along. The first scene they come up to is that of a dead body in a car. In total the reporters witnessed three murders in two different locations, including the murder of a seven year old boy. [3]
Great efforts have been done to reduce the number of murders in Ciudad Juarez, a city woth a death toll greater than the Iraq war. These efforts have yet to be successful. Rivalry among the cartels is a major contributor to the deaths in Ciudad Juarez. The murders in Ciudad Juarez will stop once the rivalry ends, whether it comes as a result of a merger between the cartels or the complete dismantling of them.
Having the reputation of being Mexico’s deadliest city is not good for local businesses. According to the New York Daily News local Juarez businesses want to turn to the United Nations for help controlling the violence in their city. Business owners have come to this point of desperation after Mexico’s deployment of troops as well as the United States’ soldiers reinforcements have failed to decrease Ciudad Juarez’s murder rates.
On any given day Ciudad Juarez experiences an average of seven murders a day. On November 7, 2009 the Associated Press reported 15 murders in Ciudad Juarez.[2] The BBC experienced the violence of Ciudad Juarez during an evening ride along. The first scene they come up to is that of a dead body in a car. In total the reporters witnessed three murders in two different locations, including the murder of a seven year old boy. [3]
Great efforts have been done to reduce the number of murders in Ciudad Juarez, a city woth a death toll greater than the Iraq war. These efforts have yet to be successful. Rivalry among the cartels is a major contributor to the deaths in Ciudad Juarez. The murders in Ciudad Juarez will stop once the rivalry ends, whether it comes as a result of a merger between the cartels or the complete dismantling of them.
Murder in Ciudad Juarez
WORKS CITED:
[1] Roberts, S. Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez call for U.N. to help quell violence. New York Daily News.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2009/11/12/2009-11%2012_mexican_city_of_ciudad_juarez_calls_for_un_to_help_quell_violence.html.
[2] The Associated Press. 15 killed in one day in cartel-plagued Ciudad Juarez.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/mexico/stories/DN-mexico_15int.ART.State.Edition1.4b99883.html
[3] BBC News. On patrol in Mexico’s most dangerous city.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8362459.stm
[1] Roberts, S. Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez call for U.N. to help quell violence. New York Daily News.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2009/11/12/2009-11%2012_mexican_city_of_ciudad_juarez_calls_for_un_to_help_quell_violence.html.
[2] The Associated Press. 15 killed in one day in cartel-plagued Ciudad Juarez.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/mexico/stories/DN-mexico_15int.ART.State.Edition1.4b99883.html
[3] BBC News. On patrol in Mexico’s most dangerous city.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8362459.stm
Monday, October 26, 2009
GOD FEARING MURDERERS
Post 6:
In most families religion plays a major role in their structure, whether it is saying grace before dinner, going to church services on Easter and Christmas or having a wedding at a church religion is present in the majority of families. Translated from Spanish to English “La Familia” means family and like most families religion is an important part of the cartel’s structure. La Familia is one of Mexico’s newest and deadliest cartels while at the same time it declares to be a religious one.
One would not expect to find morals and religious beliefs in the structure of an organization that is responsible for almost half of the methamphetamines exported into the United States. According to BBC News the cartels leaders discourage the members of their organization from using drugs or alcohol.[1] As mentioned in a previous post La Familia is strongly opposed to the sale of drugs to residents of Mexico.
The profits from La Familia’s drug sales go to build schools, drainage system as well as to help out those in need[2]. This is odd behavior coming from an organization that has been held responsible for a large number of drug related murders in the state of Michoacan. The loyalty mentioned in the post about the cartels’ foot soldiers is also present in La Familia. La Familia has gained popularity among Michoacan’s poor and in some places has become more trustworthy than the police. According to the Christian Science Monitor “support is so strong that it is the locals who often alert La Familia that a military convoy is on the way”. When support is given to the cartel instead of to the authorities the fight against the cartels becomes futile.
One would not expect to find morals and religious beliefs in the structure of an organization that is responsible for almost half of the methamphetamines exported into the United States. According to BBC News the cartels leaders discourage the members of their organization from using drugs or alcohol.[1] As mentioned in a previous post La Familia is strongly opposed to the sale of drugs to residents of Mexico.
The profits from La Familia’s drug sales go to build schools, drainage system as well as to help out those in need[2]. This is odd behavior coming from an organization that has been held responsible for a large number of drug related murders in the state of Michoacan. The loyalty mentioned in the post about the cartels’ foot soldiers is also present in La Familia. La Familia has gained popularity among Michoacan’s poor and in some places has become more trustworthy than the police. According to the Christian Science Monitor “support is so strong that it is the locals who often alert La Familia that a military convoy is on the way”. When support is given to the cartel instead of to the authorities the fight against the cartels becomes futile.
Works Cited:
[1] Gibbs, S. ‘Family values’ of Mexico drug gang. BBC News.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8319924.stm
[2] Llana, S.M. The rise of Mexico’s La Familia, a narco-evangelist cartel. Christian Science Monitor.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1123/p12s01-woam.html
[1] Gibbs, S. ‘Family values’ of Mexico drug gang. BBC News.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8319924.stm
[2] Llana, S.M. The rise of Mexico’s La Familia, a narco-evangelist cartel. Christian Science Monitor.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1123/p12s01-woam.html
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
FOOT SOLDIERS: Loyal cartel members
Post 5:
A drug cartel is organized much like any modern company; there are a few people at the top of the hierarchy while the majority of the members are at the bottom. In the case of the drug cartels those members at the bottom are known as foot soldiers. On March 3, 2009, The Washington Post reported that the two largest Mexican drug cartels have been able to recruit over 100,000 foot soldiers a number they compared to the Mexican Army which has 130,000 soldiers[1]. This comparison brings into perspective the major problem the authorities are facing when it comes to challenging the drug cartels. The similarity in numbers gives an explanation as to why the Mexican government is having difficulty dismantling the drug cartels.
The two drug cartels that have a combined 100,000 foot soldiers are the Gulf Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel. These two cartels are known for being rivals, something that is a benefit to the Mexican government. A merger of these two cartels would create a major force that would rival that of the Mexican Army.
The demographics of the foot soldiers are very similar to what are considered at-risk youth in the United States. Most of the foot soldiers are young, uneducated men living in poverty. The cartels have been recruiting these young men into the cartel by providing them with earnings they are not likely to receive elsewhere. Time Magazine was able to obtain a taped confession a Zeta Cartel foot soldier in which he stated that the main reason for his leaving his legitimate job as a journalist was because the cartel provided better wages.[2] The allure of the high wages is not easy for these young teens to resist, this is something the cartels know and take advantage of.
For many young men being a foot-soldier is the answer to their financial problems. According to the Washington Post article the pay these men get from being foot-soldiers is about five times the amount a legitimate minimum wage job pays. Cartel leaders know that these young men are especially loyal to the organization because the young men know that without them they would be living a life of extreme poverty. The loyalty these men have mean that they are willing to do anything and everything for the carte, this includes killing rival cartel members.
The fall of the cartels will come once the pool of recruits is drained. Young men with an alternative to this lifestyle are less inclined to risk their lives for a paycheck.
Works Cited:
[1] Carter, S. 100,000 foot soldiers in Mexican cartels. The Washington Post.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/03/100000-foot-soldiers-in-cartels//print/
[2] Grillo, I. Confessions of a Mexican narco foot-soldier. Time Magazine
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1868666,00.html
A drug cartel is organized much like any modern company; there are a few people at the top of the hierarchy while the majority of the members are at the bottom. In the case of the drug cartels those members at the bottom are known as foot soldiers. On March 3, 2009, The Washington Post reported that the two largest Mexican drug cartels have been able to recruit over 100,000 foot soldiers a number they compared to the Mexican Army which has 130,000 soldiers[1]. This comparison brings into perspective the major problem the authorities are facing when it comes to challenging the drug cartels. The similarity in numbers gives an explanation as to why the Mexican government is having difficulty dismantling the drug cartels.
The two drug cartels that have a combined 100,000 foot soldiers are the Gulf Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel. These two cartels are known for being rivals, something that is a benefit to the Mexican government. A merger of these two cartels would create a major force that would rival that of the Mexican Army.
The demographics of the foot soldiers are very similar to what are considered at-risk youth in the United States. Most of the foot soldiers are young, uneducated men living in poverty. The cartels have been recruiting these young men into the cartel by providing them with earnings they are not likely to receive elsewhere. Time Magazine was able to obtain a taped confession a Zeta Cartel foot soldier in which he stated that the main reason for his leaving his legitimate job as a journalist was because the cartel provided better wages.[2] The allure of the high wages is not easy for these young teens to resist, this is something the cartels know and take advantage of.
For many young men being a foot-soldier is the answer to their financial problems. According to the Washington Post article the pay these men get from being foot-soldiers is about five times the amount a legitimate minimum wage job pays. Cartel leaders know that these young men are especially loyal to the organization because the young men know that without them they would be living a life of extreme poverty. The loyalty these men have mean that they are willing to do anything and everything for the carte, this includes killing rival cartel members.
The fall of the cartels will come once the pool of recruits is drained. Young men with an alternative to this lifestyle are less inclined to risk their lives for a paycheck.
Works Cited:
[1] Carter, S. 100,000 foot soldiers in Mexican cartels. The Washington Post.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/03/100000-foot-soldiers-in-cartels//print/
[2] Grillo, I. Confessions of a Mexican narco foot-soldier. Time Magazine
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1868666,00.html
Monday, October 19, 2009
PROJECT CORONADO: The takedown of La Familia Cartel
Map of states involved in Project CoronadoPost 4:
In 2005 the United States passed the “Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act”. The purpose of this act was to limit the sale of legal drugs that contain pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, a main ingredient in the production of methamphetamine. Since the implementation of this act those drugs containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine are kept behind the counter enabling pharmacies to monitor who buys the drugs as well as the quantities they purchase.[1] The act was a major blow to methamphetamine manufacturers in the United States, but it was also a major business opportunity for one Mexican drug cartel.
La Familia Michoacana (La Familia) is one of Mexico’s newest and most brutal drug cartels. La Familia produce methamphetamines which are then smuggled into the United States and sold by the thousands of foot soldiers contracted by La Familia. According to Time Magazine, “La Familia is estimated to export as much as half of the 200 tons of crystal meth that enter the US from Mexico each year”.[2] La Familia exports all of their meth to the United States, none of their product is used by Mexico residents.
La Familia has been in recent headlines with the culmination of Project Coronado. Project Coronado was a four year multi-agency effort targeting the sale of meth by La Familia.
Project Coronado Results:[3]
· Arrests: 1,186
· Money seized: $32.8 million US dollars
· Drugs seized: 2,710 pounds of methamphetamines
1,999 kilos of cocaine
29 pounds of heroin
16,390 pounds of marijuana
· Weapons seized: 389
· Vehicles seized: 269
La Familia Cartel took a major hit with Project Coronado, by targeting La Familia the US agencies targeted the major source of methamphetamines. The numbers show that Project Coronado was a major success.
The use of methamphetamines is a problem the United States has been trying to minimize and its first step was by making the ingredients for meth less accessible. By regulating the sale of ephedrine the United States managed to eliminate major meth labs located in the United States, but this did not end the usage of methamphetamines. Much like gangs during prohibition, La Familia was able to supply the demand for methamphetamines by the United States. Time will tell as to whether Project Coronado will decrease the use of methamphetamines.
La Familia Michoacana (La Familia) is one of Mexico’s newest and most brutal drug cartels. La Familia produce methamphetamines which are then smuggled into the United States and sold by the thousands of foot soldiers contracted by La Familia. According to Time Magazine, “La Familia is estimated to export as much as half of the 200 tons of crystal meth that enter the US from Mexico each year”.[2] La Familia exports all of their meth to the United States, none of their product is used by Mexico residents.
La Familia has been in recent headlines with the culmination of Project Coronado. Project Coronado was a four year multi-agency effort targeting the sale of meth by La Familia.
Project Coronado Results:[3]
· Arrests: 1,186
· Money seized: $32.8 million US dollars
· Drugs seized: 2,710 pounds of methamphetamines
1,999 kilos of cocaine
29 pounds of heroin
16,390 pounds of marijuana
· Weapons seized: 389
· Vehicles seized: 269
La Familia Cartel took a major hit with Project Coronado, by targeting La Familia the US agencies targeted the major source of methamphetamines. The numbers show that Project Coronado was a major success.
The use of methamphetamines is a problem the United States has been trying to minimize and its first step was by making the ingredients for meth less accessible. By regulating the sale of ephedrine the United States managed to eliminate major meth labs located in the United States, but this did not end the usage of methamphetamines. Much like gangs during prohibition, La Familia was able to supply the demand for methamphetamines by the United States. Time will tell as to whether Project Coronado will decrease the use of methamphetamines.
Works Cited:
[1] FDA. Legal requirements for the sale and purchase of drug products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and
phenylpropanolamine.
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm072423.htm.
[2] Grillo, I. & Padgett, T. A major blow to Mexico’s masters of meth.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1932030,00.html
[3] Department of Justice. More than 300 alleged La Familia members and associates arrested in two-day nationwide
takedown.
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/October/09-ag-1135.html
phenylpropanolamine.
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm072423.htm.
[2] Grillo, I. & Padgett, T. A major blow to Mexico’s masters of meth.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1932030,00.html
[3] Department of Justice. More than 300 alleged La Familia members and associates arrested in two-day nationwide
takedown.
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/October/09-ag-1135.html
Monday, September 28, 2009
Drug Trafficking: A Side Effect of Prohibition?
In recent years Mexico has come into the media spotlight as a drug distributing country. The majority of drugs found in the United States have been on Mexican soil. On the Mexican side of the border drug cartels are organizing drug smuggling operations across the border states. Drug cartels have a twenty to thirty year history but drug trafficking has a much longer history.
In 1914 the United States government passed the Harrison Act which was designed to regulate drug use. Eight years after its passing the act ended up completely prohibiting the use of narcotic drugs. In her article, Gabriela Recio points out that between 1922 and 1923 of the arrest for drug consumption made in Baja California 44% were of United States citizens while only 21% were Mexican. When it came to drug smuggling arrests 50% of the people arrested were Mexican while only 7% were United States citizens. Recio presents these figures to show that Mexico has a history of being a distributor of drugs and the United States has been the consumer.[1]
Not much has changed in the past 80-90 years. According to CNN.com there have been 60,000 pounds of marijuana confiscated by authorities along the California coastline.[2] Keep in mind that that 60,000 pounds of marijuana was confiscated but there is no telling how many more went undetected.
[1] Recio, G. Drugs and Alcohol: US Prohibition and the Origins of the Drug Trade in Mexico, 1910-1930. Journal of Latin American Studies. 34(1). P.21-42.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3875386.pdf
[2] Mexican Smugglers use Pacific as New Route. CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/23/california.border.shooting/
In 1914 the United States government passed the Harrison Act which was designed to regulate drug use. Eight years after its passing the act ended up completely prohibiting the use of narcotic drugs. In her article, Gabriela Recio points out that between 1922 and 1923 of the arrest for drug consumption made in Baja California 44% were of United States citizens while only 21% were Mexican. When it came to drug smuggling arrests 50% of the people arrested were Mexican while only 7% were United States citizens. Recio presents these figures to show that Mexico has a history of being a distributor of drugs and the United States has been the consumer.[1]
Not much has changed in the past 80-90 years. According to CNN.com there have been 60,000 pounds of marijuana confiscated by authorities along the California coastline.[2] Keep in mind that that 60,000 pounds of marijuana was confiscated but there is no telling how many more went undetected.
[1] Recio, G. Drugs and Alcohol: US Prohibition and the Origins of the Drug Trade in Mexico, 1910-1930. Journal of Latin American Studies. 34(1). P.21-42.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3875386.pdf
[2] Mexican Smugglers use Pacific as New Route. CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/23/california.border.shooting/
Monday, September 21, 2009
Gulf Cartel: bribes, corruption and murder
Organization is key to running a successful business, the illicit drug trade is no exception. The Gulf Cartel began as a group of former lieutenant and has expanded to include their own paramilitary group (Los Zetas). The duties of the members of Los Zetas include laundering money, kidnapping, assassinating and collecting any debts owed to the Gulf Cartel. The Gulf Cartel maintains control over Nuevo Laredo, a border city with Laredo, Texas. The majority of their drug smuggling occurs across the Mexico-Texas border. In recent news a former Texas Sheriff was sentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes from the Gulf Cartel in order for the Cartel to freely smuggle drugs into the United States[1]. The recent arrest of Sheriff Guerra shows the extent of the Gulf Cartel’s influence. The cartel’s influence reaches across the border and into the United States.
The Gulf Cartel has benefited greatly as a result of corrupt government officials, including law enforcement agents. In the past year 122 Mexican police officers have been arrested on suspicion of having ties to Los Zetas. The relationship the Cartel has with the police officers allows drug trafficking to go on without interruption. Officer corruption has been attributed to the low pay they receive. The low pay makes the decision to take the Gulf Cartel’s bribes much easier. Another effort aimed at reducing police corruption includes better training as well as equipping the officers with the proper tools needed to carry out their duties. [2] By cutting off the link that ties police officers to the Gulf Cartel the Mexican government is moving closer towards dissolving the Gulf Cartel.
In order to combat the Gulf Cartel, as well as other Mexican drug cartels, 48,000 troops have been deployed by President Felipe Calderon. In addition to this the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has offered a combined reward of $50 million for the arrests of the Gulf Cartel’s leaders. According to the DEA, “the Gulf Cartel is responsible for much of the escalation of violence along our Southwest Border. Their violence is not contained at the Border, however. It has reached as far as Chicago and Detroit and even into small town America, as evidenced by the horrific murders of five people, including 3 innocent bystanders, in Birmingham, Alabama, in August 2008—attributed to the Cartel”[3]. The border is no barrier for drug related violence.
[1] Texas: Former Sheriff Is Sentenced. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/us/28brfs-FORMERSHERIF_BRF.html
[2] Police Step Up in Mexico’s Drug Wars. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-09-16-mexico-drug-war_N.htm
[3] DEA Announces Gulf Cartel/Los Zetas Most-Wanted List.
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2009/dallas072309.html
The Gulf Cartel has benefited greatly as a result of corrupt government officials, including law enforcement agents. In the past year 122 Mexican police officers have been arrested on suspicion of having ties to Los Zetas. The relationship the Cartel has with the police officers allows drug trafficking to go on without interruption. Officer corruption has been attributed to the low pay they receive. The low pay makes the decision to take the Gulf Cartel’s bribes much easier. Another effort aimed at reducing police corruption includes better training as well as equipping the officers with the proper tools needed to carry out their duties. [2] By cutting off the link that ties police officers to the Gulf Cartel the Mexican government is moving closer towards dissolving the Gulf Cartel.
In order to combat the Gulf Cartel, as well as other Mexican drug cartels, 48,000 troops have been deployed by President Felipe Calderon. In addition to this the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has offered a combined reward of $50 million for the arrests of the Gulf Cartel’s leaders. According to the DEA, “the Gulf Cartel is responsible for much of the escalation of violence along our Southwest Border. Their violence is not contained at the Border, however. It has reached as far as Chicago and Detroit and even into small town America, as evidenced by the horrific murders of five people, including 3 innocent bystanders, in Birmingham, Alabama, in August 2008—attributed to the Cartel”[3]. The border is no barrier for drug related violence.
[1] Texas: Former Sheriff Is Sentenced. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/us/28brfs-FORMERSHERIF_BRF.html
[2] Police Step Up in Mexico’s Drug Wars. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-09-16-mexico-drug-war_N.htm
[3] DEA Announces Gulf Cartel/Los Zetas Most-Wanted List.
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2009/dallas072309.html
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