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
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