User talk:Alexa Arena/sandbox: Difference between revisions
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== Effects on the Mexican Population == | == Effects on the Mexican Population == | ||
The effects of the Mexican Drug War have increased in scale in recent years. The violence has gone from affecting innocent civilians to whole towns. Some communities have experienced systematic occupation by drug cartels, whom have taken over such crucial institutions as public offices and the police department.<ref | The effects of the Mexican Drug War have increased in scale in recent years. The violence has gone from affecting innocent civilians to whole towns. Some communities have experienced systematic occupation by drug cartels, whom have taken over such crucial institutions as public offices and the police department.<ref name=Ray> | ||
This large-scale _ has exposed widespread corruption in Mexico. Numerous police and military officials have been discovered working with drug traffickers. This lack of just authority destabilizes these areas of Mexico and perpetuates the Mexican Drug War and its infiltration into everyday life. | This large-scale _ has exposed widespread corruption in Mexico. Numerous police and military officials have been discovered working with drug traffickers. This lack of just authority destabilizes these areas of Mexico and perpetuates the Mexican Drug War and its infiltration into everyday life. | ||
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Drug trafficking is an anarchic system with no overarching authority controlling it. There are no laws or governing principles that determine how to handle disputes. Therefore, although violence is not an inherent part of the system, it has become a consequence of illicit drug trading as a means to settle conflicts. | Drug trafficking is an anarchic system with no overarching authority controlling it. There are no laws or governing principles that determine how to handle disputes. Therefore, although violence is not an inherent part of the system, it has become a consequence of illicit drug trading as a means to settle conflicts. | ||
The violence in Mexico that has ensued as part of the drug trade is a consequence of the culture, geographic location, and history of Mexico. Mexican drug cartels have proven to be indiscriminate in their acts of violence. The only rationale which experts have been able to discern is that these acts of violence aim to make a statement, to inflict collateral damage.<ref | The violence in Mexico that has ensued as part of the drug trade is a consequence of the culture, geographic location, and history of Mexico. Mexican drug cartels have proven to be indiscriminate in their acts of violence. The only rationale which experts have been able to discern is that these acts of violence aim to make a statement, to inflict collateral damage.<ref name=Williams> | ||
=== Escalation of Violence === | === Escalation of Violence === | ||
The violence in Mexico has escalated at alarming rates in recent years. Between December 2006 and July 2010 an estimated 28,000 people were killed in drug-trafficking related violence.<ref | The violence in Mexico has escalated at alarming rates in recent years. Between December 2006 and July 2010 an estimated 28,000 people were killed in drug-trafficking related violence.<ref name=Seelke> | ||
One of the greatest setbacks in ending the Mexican Drug War has been that in response to attempts at government interdiction, drug cartels have enacted more violence to assert their power and express their refusal to accede to laws and regulations and norms. | One of the greatest setbacks in ending the Mexican Drug War has been that in response to attempts at government interdiction, drug cartels have enacted more violence to assert their power and express their refusal to accede to laws and regulations and norms. | ||
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=== Arms === | === Arms === | ||
A significant number of weapons used in the conflict in Mexico originate in the United States.<ref | A significant number of weapons used in the conflict in Mexico originate in the United States.<ref name=Williams> These weapons travel to Mexico through the [[illegal arms trade]]. Illicit arms trafficking from the United States to Mexico has been made possible by the United States and Mexico signed an agreement in 1994 to abide by the [[North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA). | ||
=== Military Personnel === | === Military Personnel === | ||
A great proportion of the men involved in the Mexican drug cartels are experts in violence and crime. An estimated one in three drug traffickers in Mexico has received military training or has military experience.<ref | A great proportion of the men involved in the Mexican drug cartels are experts in violence and crime. An estimated one in three drug traffickers in Mexico has received military training or has military experience.<ref name=Williams> Many of these men were trained in the United States. | ||
In this system of sale and consumption, American gangs across the nation are the consumers of the drugs that Mexico sells. | In this system of sale and consumption, American gangs across the nation are the consumers of the drugs that Mexico sells. | ||
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=== Felipe Calderón === | === Felipe Calderón === | ||
Current Mexican President [[Felipe Calderón]] has taken many actions towards curbing the Mexican drug trade. One main initiative he has implemented is prevention programs that emphasize providing treatment and care to drug addicts. He views drug users as victims rather than at fault for the drug trade. He aims to end the drug trade by helping to reduce Mexican citizens’ dependence on illicit drugs and consequently decrease the demand for drugs.<ref> | Current Mexican President [[Felipe Calderón]] has taken many actions towards curbing the Mexican drug trade. One main initiative he has implemented is prevention programs that emphasize providing treatment and care to drug addicts. He views drug users as victims rather than at fault for the drug trade. He aims to end the drug trade by helping to reduce Mexican citizens’ dependence on illicit drugs and consequently decrease the demand for drugs.<ref>Boddiger, D. (2010). "Mexico eager to reduce demand for illicit drugs." Lancet 375(9708): 15-16.</ref> | ||
President Calderón has also initiated many education programs, with a strong focus on school age children, to combat drug temptation with education. Studies have shown that youth between the ages of twelve and seventeen are the most likely to experiment with drugs. The aim of these education programs is to inform this vulnerable population and deter them from subsuming to drugs.<ref | President Calderón has also initiated many education programs, with a strong focus on school age children, to combat drug temptation with education. Studies have shown that youth between the ages of twelve and seventeen are the most likely to experiment with drugs. The aim of these education programs is to inform this vulnerable population and deter them from subsuming to drugs.<ref name=Boddiger> | ||
=== Bilateral Action by Mexico and the United States === | === Bilateral Action by Mexico and the United States === | ||
Revision as of 22:19, 7 November 2010
The Mexican Drug War is an ongoing conflict between criminal groups which operate within the Mexican drug trade. These groups are commonly referred to as drug cartels or drug trafficking organizations (DTOs).[1] The rival drug cartels fight over control of “areas of influence,”[2] strategic strongholds for the drug business. The majority of these areas are pockets along the 200-mile long Mexican border with the United States.
Origins
The drugs that circulate through Mexico originate from the south, primarily the from South American countries of Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag Just as cartels are established along familial lines, they fight as familial units against others who threaten their hold on drug routes and markets.
Effects on the Mexican Population
The effects of the Mexican Drug War have increased in scale in recent years. The violence has gone from affecting innocent civilians to whole towns. Some communities have experienced systematic occupation by drug cartels, whom have taken over such crucial institutions as public offices and the police department.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
President Calderón has also initiated many education programs, with a strong focus on school age children, to combat drug temptation with education. Studies have shown that youth between the ages of twelve and seventeen are the most likely to experiment with drugs. The aim of these education programs is to inform this vulnerable population and deter them from subsuming to drugs.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
- Equipment for inspection and surveillance
- Canines to “interdict trafficked drugs, arms, cash, and persons”
- Funds to bolster technology aimed to “improve and secure communications systems that collect criminal information”
- US “technical advice and training” in order to strengthen a new police force
- Witness protection programs for Mexico, and
- Corresponding software and supplemental technologies
- Aircrafts for the purpose of detection and quick response time of law enforcement agencies
- “Equipment, training, and community action programs” to educate on and deter gang membership while thwarting current gang actions
Significance of the Merida Initiative
Symbolically this initiative represents shared responsibility and cooperation between Mexico and the United States, a key factor in progressing towards drug free countries.