Merida Initiative: insight into U.S.-Mexico relations
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Authors
Bartholomeaux, Andrew T.
Subjects
United States
Mexico
Mérida Initiative
anti-drug policy
organized crime
border security
arms trafficking
money laundering
Plan Colombia
failed state
militarization
Mexico
Mérida Initiative
anti-drug policy
organized crime
border security
arms trafficking
money laundering
Plan Colombia
failed state
militarization
Advisors
Dahl, Erik J.
Date of Issue
2016-09
Date
Sep-16
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
In 2007, the United States and Mexico agreed to a bilateral anti-drug policy known as Mérida Initiative with the intent of disrupting organized crime and drug trafficking in Mexico. The initiative has persisted through multiple administrations on both sides of the border and received various scholarly criticisms for its oversimplification of the problem. Did funding and allocation of resources of the Mérida Initiative address the underlying issues that contributed to the drug trade in Mexico? Analyzing the historical foundations that supported the rise of organized crime in Mexico, combined with the factors that drive the drug trade, reveals an anti-drug policy focused on military operations and not on addressing the factors set forth in the initiative. This thesis exposes the underlying issues and analyzes allocation of resources to pinpoint where the focus is, and where it should be placed. This thesis concludes that allocation of resources are placed on security operations when they would be better suited on training the judicial branch in Mexico, improving the border, and improving the community to provide opportunities outside organized crime. Furthermore, that the United States has steps to take to fulfil its shared responsibility.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
Organization
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NPS Report Number
Sponsors
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.