Mexican Drug Cartel War Presentation
Course Themes
- The relationship between the West/USA and the rest of the world
- The influence of political ideologies and ideas on human history and contemporary affairs
For over a decade, Mexican authorities have been fighting a harsh battle against the drug cartels. Due to this never-ending conflict, thousands of Mexicans lives have been sacrificed. This whole situation has been backed by the United States who are supporting the Mexican government in their struggle against the cartels by providing them with the resources they need in order to fight back. Through this, the US also desires to end the source of illegal drugs being supplied to their citizens, as these drugs are supplied through illegal sources from places like the black market.
After the arrest of the first Mexican drug cartel leader, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, in 1989, the leaders in the alliance that he formed broke off and each formed their own cartel that still fights for territory today. One of which became the Sinaloa cartel which in 2020, was considered Mexico’s most dominant drug cartel. Since the start of the 2000s, violence and the influence of the drug cartels have only increased and as of 2020, more than 61,000 people have been forcibly disappeared since 2006 when the president at the time, Felipe Calderon first began cracking down on drug cartels. Later, in 2008, the US announced financial sanctions on Mexican drug cartels, and then in 2009, Hillary Clinton, who was the Secretary of State at the time, states that the Mexican drug trade was fueled by “America’s insatiable demand for illegal drugs” and that due to this, America shares responsibility for the violence occurring in Mexico. Since then, Mexico and the US have worked together to fight against Mexico’s violent drug cartel war even until today.
In an attack made by the Jalisco cartel, there were around three dozen men all armed with weapons. With over 400 shots fired at the police chief, the other three in his armored car died and he came out the sole survivor. This cartel group was at the top of the fentanyl and meth trade into Mexico. After this attack, the whole Jalisco Cartel group ran off to the U.S. of the Sinaloa leader Chapo Guzman. This caused the tensions between the two groups to rise, and with that, the homicides did too. Even after seeing the clearly malicious intent and power that the cartels hold, President Obrador seems unfazed, continuing to insist that his plan of non-confrontation is the best plan. The members of this cartel were even able to get their hands on military-grade weapons, making them even more of a threat. These events have been met with much criticism as what President Obrador and his administration are doing is not any different from what the previous presidents have done. None of the steps they are taking and very ineffective policies against the cartels are not having any effect and the situation continues to worsen with homicides becoming more and more frequent.
Discussion Questions
- What do you think were some factors that led to the cartels’ growth?
- How have economic ties between the US and Mexico shaped the Mexican Drug Cartel War?
- How has the drug war affected both countries?
I think one of the main factors that lead to the cartel's rapid growth was the demand. As the demand for these illegal drugs increases, so will the need for an increase in supply, and it only makes sense that the cartel's would seek to expand and grow to accommodate that demand. There is also the illegal factor about the cartels, as people are willing to pay to get their hands on the substances that the cartel sells, which are often quite addictive, and are not available anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment, I also think that the demands make the cartel grow more which leads to more territory expansion and more influences.
DeleteThe drug war has had a considerably more severe effect on Mexico than it has on the US. In Mexico, it has worsened homicide rates and endangered the lives of many civilians, especially as cartel members have mistaken innocent citizens for members of rival groups and targeted them as a result. The war also harms the economy by raising prices of drugs and related items far above their regular levels. The effects have been less prevalent in the US, but the drug war has lead to a considerable influx of drugs in our nation, and Americans have been killed by the conflict on occasion as well.
ReplyDeleteeven though the drug war has affected both countries, I agree with Angelina and i think it had a way bigger affect on Mexico.
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DeleteI completely agree with this comment, we can defiantly see the huge impacts that it had on the country and the people who live there
DeleteI think that some of the main factors that lead to the cartels rapid growth is that people are asking for more drugs which makes the cartels want to make more money and expand their influences. In addition since no one has really stopped them, I think that they will continue with what they are doing. I also think that maybe some of the workers in the cartels are in really bad conditions (economic stability) which leads to the cartels growth in general.
ReplyDeleteThe drug war has affected both countries, as the increase in demand over time has led to more violence and has taken numerous innocent lives. Additionally, the drug war has affected minority groups in the US as they are more likely to be arrested.
ReplyDeleteBoth countries have been affected by this drug war, as they each play as sort of the producing end and the receiving end. The United States sees an ever-growing number of illegal substances flowing into the country, whereas in Mexico, the increased violence and villainy of the cartels have decreased the quality of life and has made it hard for the authority and the citizens to lead comfortable lives
ReplyDeleteOne of the factors that led to the cartel’s growth is the increasing demand from the US for illegal drugs. Another factor is that people in Mexico many times have no other viable option but to join the cartel because of a lack of other opportunities in their country. Economic ties between the US and Mexico have shaped the Mexican Drug Cartel War since the US financially supports the Mexican government in fighting the cartels. They work together to try and fight against the drug cartels. The drug war has affected both Mexico and the US with increased violence, and the loss of thousands of lives (deaths and homicides). It is a significant drain of law enforcement resources to constantly be engaged in capturing members of the drug cartels.
ReplyDeleteone of the factors that led to the cartels growth is the demand for more drugs. this gives the cartel more money and a bigger influence on the masses. By having more of an influence it makes to harder to get rid of the cartel which leads to more and more violence.
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ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest factors of the cartels growth was the demanding citizens wanting or "needing" to have the drugs. This gave the cartel more money and even more power and influence. This made the demand of drugs increase but also the cartel even harder to eliminate. The cartel is a main source for drugs and lead to more and more violence throughout Mexico.
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