The Mexican Drug War

The drug war has caused many problem problem in many countries especially in mexico where the heat of the problem has come to be from raging war between the government of mexico and drug cartels, from many cities not being safe because of the constant violence throughout the country to economic disruption and more. More than 164,000 people had died between 2007 and 2014 because of the drug war in mexico, more than the iraq and afghanistan war zones combine.

To begin, let’s go back the start of Mexico’s independence: “Mexico” was declared in 1821, and the Spanish crown lost control after the Mexican War for Independence (Menchaca 161). As a result of Mexico’s independence, the ownership of power was given to the Mexican people. This led to immediate socio-political and territorial changes. Mexico’s war for independence was inspired by the Catholic priest known as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. After his call for action against the Spanish in the town of Dolores, Mexico, also known as the “Cry of Dolores,” the people of Mexico united to rebel against the Spanish (Acuña 40). This led to an eleven year war to achieve independence. That very first day of the revolution will always hold symbolic meaning in the eyes of the Mexican people: 16 September 1810. Alas, Mexico was left with the debris of 300 years of Spanish control following their immediate

The American “War on Drugs” war created to keep an exorbitant amount of people behind bars, and in a subservient status. First, America has a storied history when it comes to marijuana use. However, within the last 50 years legislation pertaining to drug use and punishment has increased significantly. In the modern era, especially hard times have hit minority communities thanks to these drug laws. While being unfairly targeted by drug laws and law enforcement, minorities in America are having a difficult time trying to be productive members of society.

In the past forty years, the United States has spent over $2.5 trillion dollars funding enforcement and prevention in the fight against drug use in America (Suddath). Despite the efforts made towards cracking down on drug smugglers, growers, and suppliers, statistics show that addiction rates have remained unchanged and the number of people using illegal drugs is increasing daily (Sledge). Regardless of attempts to stem the supply of drugs, the measure and quality of drugs goes up while the price goes down (Koebler). Now with the world’s highest incarceration rates and greatest illegal drug consumption (Sledge), the United States proves that the “war on drugs” is a war that is not being won.

The drug war has cost many problem problem in many countries especially in mexico where the heat of the problem has come to be from raging war between the govt of mexico and drug cartels, from many cities not being safe because of the constant violence throughout the country to economic disruption and more, more than 164,000 people had died between 2007 and 2014 because of the drug war in mexico more than the iraq and afghanistan war zones combine (Kurzgesagt).

In January 2004, senatorial candidate Barack Obama firmly opposed the twenty two-year war on drugs, saying that the United States’ approach in the drug war has been ineffective (Debussman).  Although the term, “war on drugs,” was originally coined by President Richard Nixon in 1971, it wasn’t until Ronald Reagan announced that “drugs were menacing society” that it became a major policy goal to stop widespread use. Following Reagan’s promises to fight for drug-free schools and workplaces, the United States boosted its efforts in its most recent declaration

Here lies a stale lifeless body after a drug cartel raids a small town, just south of the Texas border. In December of 2006 and still ongoing, the Mexican Drug War has resulted in the death of tens of thousands of individuals. Mexico believes that in order to put an end to the Drug Wars, America needs to control its need for drugs. The first call to action involves new policies and restrictions on the exports and imports of drugs in between the United States and Mexico.

More than 60,000 people have been killed in the ongoing drug war in Mexico. The fact that this violence has yet to reach its acme is quiet frightening. The freight instilled in the tourist that once found the many hotspots located in Mexico such as Acapulco and Cancun are now terrified to set foot in the land. Due to the fact that there is no safe or secure area where tourist can venture out for a good time. Due to violence Mexico has been affected with a lack of tourist, revenue and its acclaimed bad reputation.

In the book Voices of Freedom written by Eric Foner it quotes a document written by a man named John O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan writing for the Democratic review in the summer of 1845 wrote an article titled "Annexation". The article was written ten year after Texas declared independence from Mexico. There was a push from many Americans to annex Texas. Congress voted on annexation and the majority voted towards annexation. Although it was voted upon in Congress, they did not go ahead with annexation due to fears of another slave state and the chance of war with Mexico. There were many Americans that were against annexation. O'Sullivan

A sanguinary and exhausting ordeal, the Mexican-American War greatly influenced New Mexico because of its many lasting effects. Fought between 1846 and 1848, the relatively short Mexican-American War’s effects still resonate in modern times. For New Mexico, the War determined the region’s destiny as well as its future. Some of the most profound effects that the Mexican-American War had on New Mexico includes the introduction of its citizens to a new American way of life, New Mexico’s acceptance into the United States as a territory and eventually a state, and New Mexico’s uncertain slavery status.

What if for a very long time you had two friends who would not get along because they could not have what they wanted? The Mexican-American war was one of the most insane battles in history. The battle of the 2 countries was between a military unprepared Mexico and a expanding United States. James K. Polk, an expansionist-minded U.S. president had a vision of expanding the United States to the west, known as the Manifest Destiny. Although the United States was against Mexico may be viewed as controversial, the war was just due to Mexico not being able to control Texas, Texas having no say in any government actions, and Violence in America.

Because of the Mexico- American war, the process initiating the inevitable civil war was expedited, a large territory of land was added, sectionalism was promoted, and people were willing to believe unproven ideas to gain a greater

As many African-Americans were rejoicing their long and strenuous journey, a new plan was afoot for them: the war on drugs. The war on drugs is unequivocally the biggest and most durable war this country has ever fought against its own citizens. Like any other wars the United-States has engaged in, the war on drugs is remarkably different; it was fought internally, and intended to target a specific group, people of color. Their communities, houses and churches were flooded with law enforcements, constantly checking for illegal possession of drugs. They were branded criminals and were continuously being thrown in jails or prisons, with harsh and lengthy sentences imposed on them. And once they were released, many are saddled with huge debts

In 2006, Mexico began to crack down on drug trafficking operations in union with the United States. Why all of the sudden? In regard to that question, my paper will include a history of events leading up to this sudden crack down on drug trafficking, from its start in the 1960’s until today. After the history of the drug war, I will discuss the main states involved like the United States and Mexico itself. Along with their main goal of eliminating drug trafficking all together, although it is a very high expectation. Mexico has sent out 50,000 soldiers that are being paid less than a burrito vendor, in attempt to lessen the

The government has made some gains, but at a heavy price. A total of 34,612 people have died in drug-related killings in Mexico in the first four years (Siddique). Most of these killing are between cartel rivals fighting for the control of territories. There are five cartels operating in Mexico: the Sinaloa, the Gulf, Juarez, Tijuana, the Zetas. The major cartels are the Gulf, Sinaloa and Juarez (Cook 21). Many of these cartels have joined together forming powerful alliances known as the “Federation” (Cook 17). The cartels work together, but they remain independent organizations.