Mexican War on Drugs

2. SUMMARY
In 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.

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

4. PRIMARY COMBATANTS
United
States
Mexico Los Zetas

5. CLAIMS
Mexico- 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. AFFECT OF CONFLICT ON WOMEN
• Target of rape and murder
• Kidnapping and human trafficking
• Imprisoned for drug offenses

10. WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION
• Drug couriers
• Watchers/lookouts
• Assassins
• Protestors
**Poor women most likely to join cartels voluntarily

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

12. 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