Obama, Calderón and Narcotics

Drug trafficking, security, immigration and trade issues cloud the ties between Mexico and the U.S., which share more than three thousand kilometers of border. To the United States, the Mexicans are not doing everything possible to control the overflowing drug traffic flooding the North American market. Mexico, on the other hand, is irritated that Washington does not put a stop to the arms trade, which allows mafiosos to stock up in the North and travel across the border. Moreover, Mexico is frustrated that North America has not dismantled the financial operations of drug traffickers in the U.S.

The extreme violence is unacceptable to many Mexicans. Public opinion is divided between supporting the war against drug trafficking launched by Calderón as soon as he took office in 2006 and condemning the military effort that has not been able to eradicate it, despite successes in capturing numerous drug lords. This success is, at the same time, a failure, because for every ringleader that is jailed or killed, other henchmen fight in the streets to gain their territory.

The U.S. Department of State was informed of this trend last week in a report that confirms that the Mexican cartels have expanded their presence, found new routes of entry for drugs into the U.S. and increased local production of narcotics. Said report does not only focus on Mexico, but also includes countries like Venezuela and Bolivia, which have “clearly failed” to control drug trafficking. Washington has its sights on Bolivia, especially after the top officer of an anti-drug intelligence unit was detained in Panama for allegedly making drug deals. Chile is also mentioned in the report as a purveyor of chemicals for drug production.

Although his visit to Washington was not a trip for pleasure, Calderón was able to return home with Obama’s recognition, who not only praised his “courage” in the fight against the drug cartels, but also committed more help to carry out the fight.

After everything and despite their differences, Mexico and the United States — obliged by the facts — are determined to keep fighting hand in hand in this war, while efforts are put forth to stop its true trigger: the demand for drugs by U.S. consumers. Obama’s government recognizes this responsibility and, for this reason, according to the White House anti-drug czar, the U.S. will allocate more than $10 billion to the development of programs that reduce drug consumption and prevent new addictions. It remains to be seen whether or not these programs will generate results.