Abstract

As the countrys attention remains focused on the Covid-19 global pandemic which continues to ravage the nations health and economy, it is easy to overlook the profound threat represented by Mexican drug cartels. Indeed, some authorities estimate that as many as one hundred thousand people have died in drug cartel conflicts since 2006, and this figure does not take into account the tens of thousands of American lives that are lost in the federal governments ill-fated war on drugs. Against this backdrop, it is reasonable to question why tens of billions of scarce taxpayer dollars continue to be spent on a war that is claiming thousands of American lives each year without any substantive return on these investments. The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of the relevant literature concerning Mexican drug cartels to identify the extent of the problem, its primary antecedent causes, and what steps have been taken in recent years to combat these violent international drug organizations. Finally, in recognition that these past efforts have largely been ineffective in stopping Mexican drug cartels, an analysis of potential solutions is followed by a summary of the research and key findings concerning these issues in the papers conclusion.

Mexican Drug Cartels: Present Danger, Future Threat

Today, Mexico shares one of the worlds longest borders with the United States and is one of its largest trading partners (Mexico economy, 2020). Despite some political wranglings over immigration policies, the United States and Mexico have enjoyed an excellent relationship over the years and current indications suggest that this solid relationship will remain in place well into the foreseeable future. Notwithstanding these trends, however, there are still some major challenges facing both countries in terms of violent gangs of narco-traffickers known as Mexican drug cartels that continue to generate billions of dollars in criminal proceeds while simultaneously exacting an enormous toll in human lives. To determine the facts and what can be done, the purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of the relevant literature concerning Mexican drug cartels to identify the extent of the problem, its primary antecedent causes, and what steps have been taken in recent years to combat these violent international drug organizations. Finally, in recognition that these past efforts have largely been ineffective in stopping Mexican drug cartels, an analysis of potential solutions is followed by a summary of the research and key findings concerning these issues in the papers conclusion.

Review and Analysis

Background and overview

In many ways, criminal elements in Mexico are well situated to take advantage of the market represented by the 300 million citizens of the United States. For instance, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), No other country in the world has a greater impact on the drug situation in the United States than does Mexico: the result of a shared border, Mexicos strategic location between drug producing and consuming countries, and a long history of criminal enterprises that specialize in cross-border...

2).

Although precise figures are unavailable, some authorities have estimated that Mexican drug cartels have already claimed the lives of more than 60,000 people in Mexico, one of Americas most important trading and strategic partners. To place this alarming figure into context, this estimate indicates that about one person dies every hour due to Mexican drug cartel-related violence (Rizer, 2015). Even more troubling still, other observers suggest that these estimates are far too low and fail to take into account the deaths that go unreported each year, meaning that the actual figures may be twice as high or even greater (Rizer, 2015). Moreover, even...

…average per year prior to 2019 (Nieto, 2012). It is not surprising, then, that so many desperate and ordinarily law-abiding Mexican citizens have turned to the cartels just to earn a living. As Neito (2012) concludes, This is the worst record for Mexico in 70 years, particularly shocking when compared to double-digit growth in other developing countries. We need to quickly move onto a path of sustained growth that will increase investor confidence and provide stability for an eager workforce (para. 7).

4. Apply a harm-reduction model similar to that solution adopted by the Dutch government for illegal drugs that would simply eliminate the financial incentives that are currently generated through illegal drug trade by decriminalizing them. This process is already underway in the United States with cannabis products and a majority of the states have already legalized marijuana in some capacity. This solution has a number of advantages over the foregoing potential alternatives. For example, the situation with the Mexican cartels at present is analogous to the scenario that existed following the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the subsequent enactment of the Volstead Act which provided for the enforcement of prohibition throughout the United States in early 1919. As the historical record confirms, attempts to legalize morality are fraught with perils and typically fail to achieve its intended outcome, and this was certainly the case with outlawing alcohol consumption by thirsty Americans. In this environment, criminal enterprises sprung up across the country generating tens of millions of dollars in illegal revenues. The criminal elements that were actively involved in manufacturing, distributing and seling illegal alcohol in the United States were put out of business overnight following the passage of the 21st Amendment in December 1933, and this would likely be the case with Mexican cartels that…