The challenge of drug wars in the central and southern America

The drug wars in Mexico, Colombia and other countries in Central and South America have been devastating. The presence of drug lords in the country has at times resulted in the killing of hundreds of police officers and thousands of innocent civilians. This has had the impact of keeping the countries unstable and unable to engage in meaningful economic development. The drug wars are mostly necessitated by battles for the dominance of certain zones. In Mexico, the problem worsened when the Colombian drug lords opted to explore further markets in Mexico after the USA markets became hostile under heightened anti-drug campaigns. Venezuela is also affected to a limited extent. The bigger problem, however, is in Colombia where the drug lords have managed to infiltrate the political system and have even been able to raise their own private armies. This makes the country ungovernable as the economy is continually sabotaged by these organised groups. In order to maintain its influence, the Colombian government procured international support to revive its economy. Nevertheless, drug trade remains a problem with the main markets being Brazil, the USA and Europe.

ARTICLE CRITIQUE: “COLOMBIA TRIES AGAIN TO END DRUG-FED WAR”

This article is about new attempts by the Colombian government to get the drug cartels to back down. In the article, it is observed that there have been talks between government and such groups had been continuing since the 1980s with the bulk of them failing (Neuman). However, optimism over the success of the talks was based on the fact that the government had recently scored major military successes against such cartels. The negotiations are expected to enable the government to get strongest armed groups to lay down their weapons. They are also expected to enable the government dismantle the group’s major criminal enterprise which controls cocaine trade within the USA. The reality of the situation is painted clearly by explaining how the Cauca region has been adversely affected by the military confrontations where roadblocks, tanks and sandbagged bankers are a common sight (Neuman). Despite the projected prospects of success, there are those who cast a shadow of doubt based on the fact that the rest of the society may not be willing to assimilate these gangs back into the society. They are believed to have caused so much harm to the people that forgiveness and assimilation almost sounds impossible (Neuman). This is especially where it may be necessary for some of the cartel leaders to go through the elections process in order to actualise whichever deal may be arrived upon.

DISCUSSION BASED ON ARTICLE

The fact that the government was contemplating negotiations is in itself an admission of the immense power being wielded by the drug cartels. This confirms earlier assertions (as contained in the summary above) that the drug cartels had the capacity to sabotage government and make the country ungovernable. The focus on the economy appears to be the focus of the USA government with president Obama having asserted the need to counter drug cartels through a revamped economy (Shear and Archibold). It should however not be misconstrued that the government was weak as it had already scored some major victories prior to the initiation of the negotiation quest. It had technically weakened the rebels and was simply focusing on ensuring that there can be a united front to ensure that the economic recovery is made faster (Neuman). This is in addition to minimising casualties in view of the fact that a large number of civilians also tended to be in harm’s way where confrontations occurred. Irrespective of the facts of the matter, the point that has been illustrated is that the drug cartels wield immense power and have the capacity to even resist government forces using their private armies.

PERSONAL OPINION

Having examined the facts of the case above, I’d support the move by the Colombian government to initiate talks. Such talks must however not take the dimension of rewarding hooliganism and terrorism. Instead, it should be focused on ensuring that crime does not pay and that the welfare of the country is secured. The alternative approach would be to marshal greater military force and subdue the dissidents. This could however come at a very high cost where the rebels opt to use innocent civilians as a human shield.

Works cited

Neuman, William. “Colombia Tries Again to End Drug-Fed War.” New York Times 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 7 Oct. 2013.

Shear, Michael and Randal Archibold. “In Latin America, U.S. Focus Shifts From Drug War to Economy.” New York Times 4 May. 2013. Web. 7 Oct. 2013.