How should the United States help Mexico win the drug war?

Cara Pratt

coca plant cultivation in Colombia -> Mexican gangs -> major U.S. cities 90% of cocaine consumed

in the United States passes through Mexico

cannabis and methamphetamine production in Mexico -> U.S mule, car, tractor-trailer,

cargo train

1971 – President Nixon declares “War on Drugs” creation of Drug Enforcement Administration in 1973

1998-1999 – Plan Colombia Andean Counterdrug Initiative in 2001

2004 – Federal Assault Weapons Ban expires 2006 – Felipe Calderón elected president, declares

war on drug traffickers more than 45,000 troops deployed, 5,000 federal police

involved 2008 – Mérida Initiative

$ 1.6 billion in helicopters, surveillance, equipment, training, and community action programs

2010 – deployment of 1,200 National Guard troops to the border

What is going well… since 2000, seized weapons include:

10,000 grenades 93,000 arms

Mexican Navy killed drug kingpin – Arturo Beltrán Leyva acting on US intelligence

recent successes illegal immigration down 23% drug seizures up 15% weapons seizures up 30%

FY2011 13% increase in drug prevention funding 4% increase in funding for treatment

What is not going well…

drug trafficking business remains profitable money laundering

nearly 30,000 drug-related homicides since 2006 negative effects on the community

local and international businesses the ninis ghost towns

problems with Mexican institutions corruption human rights abuses low prosecution rates

problems with Mérida Initiative

Possible Solutions… information and intelligence sharing military and police training provide economic alternative for Mexican youth stop corruption within government addressing addiction and use in the United States

drug rehabilitation and treatment decriminalization and legalization

Policy reform regarding Mexico and Central America securing the border US Immigration and Customs enforcement, National

Guard address availability of firearms, ratify CIFTA

Inter-American Convention Against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms

How should the United States help Mexico win the drug war? information sharing and training for drug enforcement and

prevention personnel in Mexico following the money trail

border security National Guard

address drug market in the United States continue to increase funding for prevention and treatment

programs consider decriminalization and legalization of certain drugs

involvement in CARSI Central American Regional Security Initiative: A Shared

Partnership ratify CIFTA

Inter-American Convention Against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms

eTrace software for gun tracking invest in Mexican economy

reallocate Merida money

Works Cited Sackur, Stephen. “ ‘No alternative’ to Mexico’s drug war – says Calderon.” BBC.co.uk. 27 Oct. 2010.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/9130155.stm#story.

“Q&A: Mexico’s drug-related violence.” BBC.co.uk. 10 Nov. 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10681249#story_continues_1.

“Calderón defendió sus 4 años de ofensiva contra la droga en México.” Los Andes on-line. 2 Dic. 2010. http://www.losandes.com.ar/notas/2010/12/2/calderon-defendio-anos-ofensiva-contra-droga-mexico-530702.asp.

Daniel, Lisa. “Guard Leaders Hope Efficiencies Will Extend Border Role.” American Forces Press Service. 29 Nov. 2010. http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/library/news/2010/11/sec-101129-afps01.htm.

Arsenault, Chris. “Following Mexico’s drug money trail.” Al Jazeera English. 5 Nov. 2010. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/2010/11/20101131033622877.html.

“Mexico’s Lost Generation.” Al Jazeera English. 22 Nov. 2010. http://english.aljazeera.net/video/americas/2010/11/201011225020181661.html.

Logan, Sam. “Narco-Networks in the Americas.” Americas Quarterly. 13 May 2010. http://www.americasquarterly.org/charticle_spring2010.html.

The Central America Regional Security Initiative: A Shared Partnership. U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Public Affairs. 5 Aug. 2010. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/scp/fs/2010/145747.htm.

Arsenault, Chris. “US-trained cartel terrorises Mexico.” Al Jazeera English. 28 Oct. 2010. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/10/20101019212440609775.html.

“Human Rights, Labor, and Religious Groups Call on Obama Administration and Congress to Uphold Human Rights, Halt Drug War Aid to Mexican Security Forces.” Global Exchange. 12 Nov. 2010. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/703/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5074.

“Inter-American Convention Against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms.” U.S. Department of State. 1 Jan. 1997. http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/49907.htm.