Political Changes in Mexico and Drug-Related Violence
Within a period of six years, closes to 70000 people have died as a result of waves of violence caused by the crackdowns on drug cartels. During the same period, more than half a million people have been displaced, and approximately 20000 individuals have disappeared due to the violence spurred by the illegal drug trade. The political changes that have taken place in Mexico have been consistently blamed for this state of affairs. The war on illegal drugs dubbed la Guerra contra las Drogas initiated by former Mexican President Felipe Calderon in 2006 and later continued by the current President Enrique Pena Nieto has only led to more violence. These political changes have also meant different political leaders are coming up with their strategies to fight the drug traffickers, something that has instead created violence and resistance from the drug cartels. Moreover, the political changes have contributed to high levels of violence because most of the Mexican Drug cartels have taken advantage of these changes to influence corrupt government officials to escape being apprehended. According to Abandisky (2013), the major political upset that occurred in 2000 leading to the defeat of a PRI candidate led to many areas in Mexica particularly the rural areas being under the rule of the PRI bosses. This has fueled drug trafficking and violence between the PRI and the ruling government. The PRI regulates and controls the drug cartels often leading to violence between government forces and the drug cartels controlled by the PRI. The political changes have also given the Mexican drug cartels the opportunity to organize themselves hence to ward off opposition from the law enforcement in Mexico.
Conclusions Drawn
The first conclusion that might be drawn from such a political change that has affected the lives of many Mexicans is that the drug trafficking problem is primarily caused by poor political institutions to fight the drug cartels. Another conclusion that one may draw from this is that there is a direct connection between the issues of drug-related violence and politics. That is, it might conclude that politics is partly responsible for this drug-related violence associated with the Mexican drug cartels. Moreover, one may conclude that organized crime in Mexico needs a political solution as efforts by the Mexican law enforcement authorities seems to have borne no fruits.
Drug cartels such as the Jalisco New Generation Drug Cartel (CJNG) seem to benefit from these political changes and such drug traffickers are criminal paramilitaries but do not necessarily have any anti-government stance. According to Abadinsky (2013), because the drug-related money also enters the political system to fund various political activities, there is a possibility of politics being associated with the violence being experienced in Mexico. Furthermore, one may conclude that the political situation or tension in Mexico is directly responsible for the wave of violence being witnessed in the country.
Effective Approaches to Stem the Drug-Related Violence
Furthermore, since corruption is one of the factors that fuels the growth of drug cartels, Mexico should rid its political administration and police authorities of corruption to succeed in the war against illicit drug trafficking and hence reduce the violence related to the same. Additionally, carrying out free market reforms will get rid of many people engaging in illegal drug trafficking for survival and hence reduce the violence related to this. According to Abandisky (2013), “free market reforms and its gradual implementation pushed many ordinary Mexicans to find alternative employment” (p. 147). Thus, the market reforms will ensure that drug traffickers do not get innovative network or black market opportunities.
Finally, to stem the tide of violence related to drugs and drug trafficking by drug cartels in Mexico, the Mexican law enforcement authorities should partner with law enforcement bodies from the neighboring nations such as the US.
Reference
Abandisky Howard. Organized crime. 10th edition (2013) Wadsworth Cengage Learning, St. John’s University Belmont California. .
