Publication:
Mexico and the cocaine epidemic : the new Colombia or a new problem?

Authors
Michel, Kenneth
Subject Authors
Homeland Defense
Homeland Security
Cartels
Drug Trafficking Organizations
DTO
Cocaine
Plan Colombia
Merida Initiative
FARC
Northern Triangle
Interdiction
Self Propelled Semi Submersible
SPSS
Balloon Effect
Venezuela
Avisors
Looney, Robert
Date of Issue
2010-12
Date
December 2010
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Recently, there has been an increasing amount of attention paid to Mexico and its struggle with drug cartels. The drug war in Mexico has cost the lives of 28,000 people since 2006, leading to a growing concern that Mexico may become a narco-state. Although the situation in Mexico seems uncontrollable, this is not the first time drug trafficking organizations (DTO) have threatened the livelihood of a state. Colombia from the 1980s through the mid- 1990s was dominated by cartels that ruled with violence and almost brought Colombia to its knees. Colombia today continues with its fight against DTOs; however, the security of the state is no longer directly threatened by cartels. This thesis will discuss the history of the cocaine trade and explain why Mexico was able to supplant Colombia as the cocaine epicenter. Likewise, we will discuss the U.S. strategy to combat DTOs and identify shortcomings in order to implement a better strategy to defeat the cartels. We have seen an increase in violence in Mexico and it is critical for the U.S. to act in order to prevent the U.S. homeland from coming under siege by the bloody Mexican drug war fueled by the cartels.
Type
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Security Studies (Homeland Defense and Security)
Other Units
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xvi, 109 p. : col. maps ; 28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
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.
Collections
Theses