Mexico

Widespread instability and fear continue to propel as Mexico nears the 18th anniversary of its ongoing War on Drugs. Violence, corruption, and death cloud nearly each and every corner of the once prosperous nation with countless men, women, and especially, children left volatile to extreme conditions. Despite the current progression of events stemming from a series of complex and dynamic interactions, the gross abuses of human rights and violent clashes remain as evident byproducts.   

Background 

Mexico’s drug cartels have infamously facilitated major interactions within the global drug trade as they specialize in the production, supply, and distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamines, and even fentanyl. Though the nation’s power dynamics encounter immense fluctuations, a large amount of violence throughout Mexico stems from territorial disputes and attempts to alter one’s sphere of influence. Drug trafficking organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and the Los Rojos are a few of the organizations notorious for their rapid growth and instigation of extreme violence. 

The growth of the drug cartels are largely attributed to the political atmosphere of Mexico’s domestic and international affairs. Majority of the cartels have used bribery and coercion to gain the support of governmental officials and law enforcement alike, establishing not only a strong foundation, but an upperhand in internal politics. Political patronage has also allowed many of these organizations to form strong, influential alliances that preserve their own self-interest and ensure that the future of Mexico is built on illicit profits made from the sale of drugs. This was particularly evident in the wake of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) who supported the drug industry through compliance. The international arena has also played a major role in the sustenance of these organizations as billions of their citizens continue to buy and use illicit drugs. Recent years have shown that the United States is the largest consumer of drugs produced in Mexico with countless spending over $150 billion in the year 2017 alone. In an attempt to avoid authorities, the drugs are trafficked in a variety of unique mechanisms, but most often, through tunnels and drones. 

The governmental response towards the rise in cartel influence is another highly contested topic. Many argue that the deployment of national forces has further exacerbated human rights abuses and led to an increase in violent clashes. Felipe Calderon, Enrique Pena Nieto, and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador have each used the financial assistance of the United States to deploy advanced military personnel and security forces. The undeniable influx in violent crime and death as a result thereof, has led many to question the effectiveness of the Mexican government’s approaches.   

The Humanitarian Crises and How We Can Help  

Impunity has become an everyday phenomena with accountability and transparency nowhere to be found. Everyday hundreds of people are tortured, kidnapped, killed, and violated. Enforced disappearances and torture are routinely met with inadequate investigations that are supported by ineffective framework, as was the case in 2014 when 43 student protesters were abducted and killed. The children have been disproportionately impacted, suffering from emotional, physical, and developmental trauma. Millions have been forcibly displaced from their homes  and coerced into tireless, life-threatening labor, while countless others have been trafficked and sexually exploited. 

All hope is not lost however. In fact, the time to act is now. We as a community must come together to demand reform and justice for our international counterparts. Though the current atmosphere demands a multifaceted response and the cooperation of various stakeholders, change begins one step at a time. With both awareness and advocacy, we can work together to establish adequate and just public services that support the needs of the men, women, and children in Mexico. Community-centered and action-oriented strategies supported by transparency and accountability must be implemented to ensure public safety, as well as, awareness campaigns that not only educate, but highlight the narratives of voices most often silenced. 

UnitedForOthers hopes that each of our readers feels inspired and optimistic in their own abilities to enact change. We also strongly encourage you all to do more research of your own. 

Click on the following links to learn more about Mexico’s War on Drugs:

Buschschlüter, Vanessa. “Mexico Missing Students: Knowns and Unknowns.” BBC News, BBC, 25 Aug. 2022, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35539727.

“Mexico’s Long War: Drugs, Crime, and the Cartels.” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/mexicos-long-war-drugs-crime-and-cartels. Accessed 24 Aug. 2023.

Midgette, Gregory, and Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer. “Americans’ Spending on Illicit Drugs Nears $150 Billion Annually; Appears to Rival What Is Spent on Alcohol.” RAND Corporation, 20 Aug. 2019, www.rand.org/news/press/2019/08/20.html.

“Who Consumes Mexico’s Drugs?” News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 14 Aug. 2011, www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/8/14/who-consumes-mexicos-drugs#:~:text=Drug%20gangs%20in%20Mexico%20and,bound%20for%20the%20United%20States.

“World Report 2022: Rights Trends in Mexico.” Human Rights Watch, 13 Jan. 2022, www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/mexico.