Introduction
There have been recent developments that link terrorism and drug trafficking. This claim has led to the conclusion that drug traffickers are the groups who get involved with terrorism. In Colombia, it has been stated by the State Department that is concerned with drug trafficking control that the explosion in coca plantation is the reason for the increase in drug trafficking. The fight against narcotics trade is becoming difficult because guerrillas are getting involved in this illegal trade. This is a common claim that is being argued and told in many press releases. When this claim began to gain momentum in the Latins, no proof had been pinned down yet to substantiate the claims.
Narco-guerrillas
The Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias Colombianas (FARC) in Colombia controls most of the countryside and is involved in drug trade. There is an increased involvement of guerillas in the cultivation and production of drugs which are illicit. In most cases, the involvement of guerrilla movements in drugs is in taxing the packages that are being shipped. They have also been found to charge the rural farmers money they claim to be protection money. The guerrillas are known to charge between 10-15 percent of the transactions that the farmers do with drug traffickers. This way, they make lots of money which they use in their guerrilla activities. The guerrilla groups are mostly the FARC leftist. The revenues they get from drug-related activities are more when compared to the revenues they get from revolutionary taxes. They control a formidable force in illicit drugs (Chalk, 2011).
With this revenue from drug trafficking, the guerrillas have had influence in the whole of Colombia and this has been increasing from the mid-1980s. In the year 1985, there were approximately 17.2 percent guerrilla-related activities in municipalities. In 1995, this percentage had increase proportionately. The percentage was now standing at 59.8%. Currently, this figure has increased. In one episode alone, the FARC guerrilla was involved in 7,500 weapons that were purchased from Peru and dropped in the area that is controlled by FARC. This became possible with the revenues that FARC get from drug trafficking. It was announced by FARC that all Colombians whose wealth were worth over one million US dollars would have to pay a peace tax or they would be taken hostage (Chalk, 2011).
There is no information that shows the extent in which FARC used these strategies in the military. Initially, this group shied away from the confrontations with the military. With the involvement of this group, and the recruitments of more members, they are now able to attack the military head on. They also have new tactics that they use to encounter the military. The Colombian military were surprised to see these new tactics being used by the guerrillas and did not do anything to stop their activities. With time, they have been able to have some control over the guerrillas. With the renewed ability of the military, FARC retreated to their traditional strategies of fighting the military. These are the isolated fights to military installations (Chalk, 2011).
In the 1980s, the drug cartels and guerrillas were involved in fierce war against each other. In the 1990s, the guerrillas were involved in drug trade directly themselves. This new activity enabled them get enormous profit attacks. In this new development, it was found out that drug traffickers and guerrillas needed one another in order to survive and do business together.
The involvement of the guerrillas in drug trafficking and trade did not mean that all guerrillas are narco-guerrillas. Although guerrillas get involved with drug trade and trafficking, they still have political ideologies and interests. They have distinct involvement in politics. There are some guerrillas who detest getting involved in drug trafficking. They would rather get involved with their guerrilla activities (Chalk, 2011).
The relationship between narcotics and drug trade is changing. This is because of the intense involvement of the guerrillas in drug trafficking. More reports have associated FARC to drug trade (Chalk, 2011).
Terrorist groups and drug trade
There is a growing concern on the link between terrorist group and their involvement in drug trade. This nexus is increasing at a fast rate. Of 43 terrorist organizations in the Middle East, 19 of these are linked with drug trade. This is according to FBI and the Department of Treasury. There are several reasons for terrorist organizations to choose their involvement in drug trade. One of the reasons is that there is a decline in the state sponsorship of terrorist groups. There is good work that has been done by the department of treasury and central intelligence agency in looking for private donors who will disrupt Al-Qaeda ability to communicate from their cell phones to the group members. This has been successful for the state (Flanigan, 2012).
For these reasons, there has been the need for terrorist groups to resort to new means. They have resorted to drugs to finance their terrorist activities. The drug trade makes them get the required financial resources that will enable them to undertake their activities. In this venture, the terrorist organizations do not have to spend a lot of money on order to operate this trade. This has changed the way this is taking place. There are many similarities that exist between terrorist organizations and those of drug cartels. One of the similarities is that both groups do not support the sovereignty of the state. They operate optimally in environments which are not governed (Flanigan, 2012). They do not have regard and value for human life and will, therefore, do their level best to do their unwanted activities in uncalled for manner. These groups rely in organized crime like corruption. Their operations are sophisticated with the use of latest technology. This makes their discovery hard for the military. They also have ability to recollect and start their activities in a new manner.
One of the areas where there is a close relationship between terror and drug trafficking is in the tri-border of the Latin America. This is where the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay lie. In this region, the Hamas and Hizballah are the most active where it is possible to make a profit of one million US dollars in one transportation of drugs across the border. In this region, the cost of drugs is lower and this makes them sell to other regions in better rates and, thus, better profits. The size of 14Kgs does not attract the attention of the authorities (Flanigan, 2012).
With the involvement of terrorist organizations in drug trafficking, there is the emergence of newer organizations. This is the emergence of one part terrorist organizations where they are involved in terrorism and get involved in drug trafficking for profits and sponsorship (Flanigan, 2012).
References
Chalk, P. (2011). The Latin American Drug Trade: Scope, Dimensions, Impact, and Response. Rand Corporation.
Flanigan, S. T. (2012). Terrorists Next Door? A Comparison of Mexican Drug Cartels and Middle Eastern Terrorist Organizations. Terrorism and Political Violence, 24(2), 279-294.
