Mexican War on Drugs

SUMMARYIn December of 2006, with a rise in discourse around drug-

related homicides, Mexico’s newly elected President, Felipe

Calderon, decided it was time for the Mexican government to

take a stance against drug cartels. The domestic conflict

regarding drug cartels in Mexico has spread beyond its border

and into the United States. This issue remains on ongoing

conflict.

NATURE OF THE CONFLICT“War on Drugs”:- An international and domestic campaign of drug prohibition to reduce the

global drug trade

PRIMARY COMBATANTS

United States

Mexico Los Zetas

CLAIMSMexico- stop drug trafficking and decrease drug-related violence (i.e. homicides rates)

United States- Reduce violence and drug operations occurring in U.S.; increase safety

Los Zetas- Gain control over greater territory and maximize financial income

OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE• U.S. provides aid in Mexico

- Financial, military and law enforcement training- 2008 Merida Initiative: $1.6 billion in aid

• Corrupt members of law enforcement assist Los Zetas- Weapons: semi-automatic handguns, assault rifles, body armor - Vehicles and means of smuggling narcotics - Law enforcement sensitive info.: running license plates and police tactics

MOTIVATION: Eliminate drug epidemic and drug-related violence spilling onto U.S. territory

MOTIVATION: Financial gain and protection

CASUALTIES

Disparities between death toll statistics:- Some report death tolls at 20,000-60,000- Others report it being much higher

This variation may be due to the secrecy surrounding drug-cartel operations and sensitive law enforcement/military policies.

WOMEN’S ROLE IN MEXICO• Women = “amas de la casa” (homemakers)

- Home is a woman’s space

- Child care

- Discouraged from being ”en la calle” without a man

- Expected to be dependent/obedient to husband

AFFECT OF CONFLICT ON WOMEN

• Target of rape and murder

• Kidnapping and human trafficking

• Imprisoned for drug offenses

WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION• Drug couriers

• Watchers/lookouts

• Assassins

• Protestors

**Poor women most likely to join cartels voluntarily

VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfRAVONRyZ4

SOURCES -• HTTP://IOP.HARVARD.EDU/SITES/DEFAULT/FILES/RPP/THEWARONMEXICANCARTELS_0.PDF

• HTTP://WWW.BREITBART.COM/TEXAS/2016/06/30/TEXAS-COP-GETS-30-YEARS-HELPING-LOS-ZETAS-CARTEL/

• FILE:///C:/USERS/RUDI/DOWNLOADS/MEXICOCSR60_UNCORRECTED.PDF

• HTTP://WWW.THEYUCATANTIMES.COM/2015/03/TERRORIST-GROUP-HEZBOLLAH-IS-WORKING-WITH-MEXICAN-CARTELS-U-S-HOMELAND-

SECURITY/

• HTTP://WWW.IAPSS.ORG/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2015/11/5-THE-MEXICAN-DRUG-WAR%E2%80%99S-COLLATERAL-DAMAGES-ON-WOMEN.PDF