Colombia Drugs, War and Cartels - 2311 Words

Colombia has been a very unstable country for the past fifty years. Beginning in the 1960s Marxist guerilla groups formed. The two strongest groups called themselves the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the other was the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Making things worse, in the 1970s drug trafficking became a huge problem for Colombia. Drug cartels pretty much controlled the country starting in the mid-1970s. By the 1990s right-wing paramilitaries had formed. They were made mainly of drug traffickers and landowners. The main paramilitary group called themselves the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). Since the 1970s, Colombia has been home to some of the most violent and sophisticated†¦show more content†¦Violence was an integral part of the operations of the Medellin syndicate from the start. As the organization grew in size, power and wealth, it also grew in ruthlessness and violence. After first establishing their dominance on the South American side of the market, in 1978 and 1979 the Medellin drug bosses turned their attention to control the wholesale distribution in the United States. As the cartels consolidated control over a billion-dollar drug industry, their leaders sought political power through legal and illegal means, all backed by violence (Younger and Rosin). Several bought interests in local radio stations and newspapers. Others, like Pablo Escobar, sought to create patron-client followings in the cities by handing out cash to the poor, building low income housing in the slums or purchasing sports teams and constructing sports stadiums. Lehder went as far as to create his own Latino Nationalist Party and to publicize his hybrid political ideology through his newspaper (Country Studies). In 1982 Escobar was actually elected as an alternate congressman on a Liberal Party slate in his home department of Antioquia. Pablo Escobar was incredibly violent and his quest for power within the Colombian government led to a stand-off between the cartel and the government. During the 1980s, the cartel revolted against theShow MoreRelatedThe Drug Crisis Of Colombia1594 Words   |  7 Pagesastounding how a group of traffickers in Colombia have been able to keep a drug trade business going despite the government rejections. The traffickers started off with importing marijuana into the United States, and later turned to cocaine. The amounts of drugs being traded also grew rapidly. â€Å"†¦shipments grew from individuals carrying small amounts of large quantities on boats and low-flying airplanes†(Gilmore). The growth of drug trade in Colombia created two cartels, one that was led by Medellin andRead MoreDrug Trafficking And Its Effects On America1600 Words   |  7 Pages In a country of struggling economies, many have viewed the drug trade as one South American’ s most successful businesses. Latin America s drug trafficking industry has been depicted in United States popular culture through motion pictures such as Scarface and Traffic. The purpose of my research is to take away society’s perception of what Hollywood has depicted drug trade to be and bring out what narcotics trafficking really is, as well as trying to coincide with the motivations of those peopleRead MoreThe Drug war in Mexico and Colombia has persisted for decades and will continue to do so if we1200 Words   |  5 PagesThe Drug war in Mexico and Colombia has persisted for decades and will continue to do so if we don’t change our plan of action. Colombia notoriously was and still continues to be a major drug producer, exporting a large percentage of its drugs to the U.S and neighboring Latin America. Analysts predict that Mexico is soon becoming the next Colom bia of the 1960-1990 era and has the potential to surpass Colombia in terms of producing, selling and distributing drugs both domestically and internationallyRead MoreThe Medellin Drug Cartel : Background1691 Words   |  7 PagesThe Medellin Drug Cartel BACKGROUND Drug cartels have grown and expanded throughout the interior and exterior of states for many years. The way drugs started to be introduced to Mexico, Colombia, and other places around the world was believed to be a myth. It was a tale that was known by many through storytelling, which over the years turned into an actual realistic issue. One of the most known cartels that existed for a long time was The Medellin Cartel. It became a subculture of its ownRead MoreWar On Drugs : A Comparative Analysis Of Human Rights Violation1339 Words   |  6 PagesDorce Richard Stahler-Sholk PLSC 367 07 April 2016 War on drugs or a war on people ? A comparative analysis of human rights violation in Latin America Ever since the War on Drugs campaign began there has been a more complex relationship between the U.S and Latin America. While the media portrays the U.S as providing aid to Latin America to combat such issues, the U.S is also seen as a victim in the war on drugs. Over the course of the war on drugs numerous human rights violations have been reportedRead MoreColombia Is A Country Located At The North Tip Of South America907 Words   |  4 PagesColombia is a country located at the north tip of South America. It is bounded by Panama and the Caribbean Sea in the north, by Venezuela and Brazil in the east, by Peru and Ecuador in the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea (National Geographic.) Colombia is one of the largest South American countries at 439,733 square miles, or about the size of Texas and California combined. Colombia isRead MoreU.s. Congress Approved Assistance Fo r The Colombian Government1500 Words   |  6 Pages Plan Colombia had clear objectives of; (1) reduce the flow of illicit narcotics and improve security, (2) promote social and economic justice, and (3) promote the rule of law.1 The assistance consisted of providing equipment, training, and financial support to the nation to combat the increase in coca and opium poppy cultivation. As more drugs appear, there has been an increase of other criminal activities including violent crimes and illegal armed groups attempting to control the drug trade.Read MoreCausal Analysis Of Mexico And Theu.s.1440 Words   |  6 PagesOver the past decade drug cartels has had a free flow through Central America to import illegal drugs to the U.S. Even with a strict drug policy drugs are still crossing the Mexican border. Due to corruption and political influence drug cartels are able to manipulate the government to go undetected. The drug cartel is infamous for their ability to kidnapped, corrupt, and kill anyone trying to crackdown or expose any operation. Due to this corruption within local governments drug activity has been ableRead MoreDrug Trafficking Has Caused The Coffee Industry Essay1235 Words   |  5 PagesContinuous war in combination with rampant drug trafficking has caused the coffee industry in Colombia to struggle for many years, though Colombia’s long hist ory with coffee predates that struggle. The coffee plant first reached Colombia sometime in the late 1700s (Encyclopedia of World Trade: From Ancient Times to the Present) and Colombia entered the coffee trade in the 1830s (Wikipedia, Coffee Production in Colombia). The geography of Colombia lends itself well to coffee production. Located inRead MoreMany top ranked commanders and leaders belonging to the M-19 were captured and the urban factions1000 Words   |  4 PagesMexico has become the Colombia from the 1970-1990 era. The drug trade and war that ensues because of it has grown out of proportion and out of the central government’s control. It is a very similar case to that of Colombia’s, yet it has the potential to surpass and take over as the leading drug producing and trafficking country in the world. Mexico’s location plays a huge role, making it a bridge between the large consumer market for drugs found within the U.S. and the drug cultivating, and pro ducing