Reading the Los Angeles Times this morning, I was reminded of the items I read in my Lonely Planet guidebooks, the newspapers, and websites of
Colombian news outlets. Here is a great article that discusses the smiliarities that Hilary Clinton brought up, but were shot down by President
Obama.
Car bombs. Political assassinations. Battlefield-style skirmishes between soldiers and heavily armed adversaries. Across big stretches of Mexico,
deepening drug-war mayhem is challenging the authority of the state and the underpinnings of democracy. Powerful cartels in effect hold entire regions
under their thumb. They extort money from businesses, meddle in politics and kill with an impunity that mocks the government’s ability to impose law
and order. As the death toll from drug-related violence nears 30,000 in four years, the impression that Mexico is losing control over big chunks of
territory is prompting comparisons with the Colombia of years past.
The Colombia comparison, long fodder for parlor debates in Mexico, gained new energy this month when Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said
the tactics of Mexican cartels looked increasingly like those of a Colombia-style “insurgency,” which the U.S. helped fight with a military and social
assistance program known as Plan Colombia that cost more than $7 billion.
But is Mexico the new Colombia? Comparisons took on a new urgency after the statement by Hillary Clinton, but a careful look at tactics, targets and
the nature of the foe shows they’re apples and oranges. As the Obama administration debates what course to take on Mexico, finding the right fix
depends on getting the right diagnosis.
Colombia’s main leftist rebels, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, waged war in the name of Marxist ideology, calling for
an overthrow of the traditional ruling oligarchy. In contrast, the main aim of Mexican drug gangs is to move merchandise without interference from
authorities.
During the worst days of Colombia’s bloodshed, cartel hit men and guerrillas carried out spectacular bombings and assassinations that targeted judges,
politicians, police and businesspeople. Mexico, despite a steadily rising death toll, has seen nothing of that nature. Cartel gunmen have killed
scores of police and some prosecutors. But they have not been targeted as part of a sustained effort to topple the government. Most of the killing
stems from open warfare between heavily armed cartels.
In Colombia, U.S. policymakers put military advisors and special forces troops on the ground to address a drug problem that was largely based on
production — one that could be attacked in large measure through wide-scale eradication. But in Mexico, where the problem is equally one of breaking
distribution networks, a Plan Colombia-style military role seems far less likely
Doesn't the dope that the Cartels are moving come from Columbia? If it does what has really been accomplished in Columbia?Ken Cooke - 9-26-2010 at 03:25 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by comitan
Ken
Doesn't the dope that the Cartels are moving come from Columbia? If it does what has really been accomplished in Columbia?
The article states that the growers migrated mostly across the border into Peru where the Shining Path (Marxist Group) operates. When I was in the
Peruvian Amazonan highlands (no pun intended), the Peruvian military and Police were continually scouting regions due to their war w/terrorist
elements and drug growers - practically one in the same.Bajahowodd - 9-26-2010 at 04:19 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by comitan
Ken
Doesn't the dope that the Cartels are moving come from Columbia? If it does what has really been accomplished in Columbia?
For starters, billions of our tax dollars down a rat hole.
And your point is well taken. Although the Mexican cartels deal with a substantial amount of homegrown product, it is true that they are also the
facilitator and transporter of the Colombian stuff. Just don't know when anyone in power is going to be willing to admit that it is demand that fuels
supply and not the other way around. We could nuke Colombia off the map. Hey, maybe do the same to Mexico. At the end of the day, there will be
someone out there who sees the lucrative opportunity to supply the incessant demand in the US.
Anthony Bourdain Visited Colombia Recently
Gypsy Jan - 9-26-2010 at 04:23 PM
He reported that he saw hope and rebirth.
I really recommend watching that episode of "No Reservations". It made me cry and smile.
[Edited on 9-27-2010 by Gypsy Jan]Ken Cooke - 9-26-2010 at 07:26 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Perhaps it that we call the discoverer Columbus and Spanish speakers call him Colom ?
Colon [accent over the 2nd 'o']capt. mike - 9-27-2010 at 04:47 AM
cartegena may just be my kind of town! can't wait to visit. i hope Ken is there then.
the drug war can never be won and is a huge waste of money.
prohibition never worked and neither will this so called war on drugs.
and i am a conservative minded guy! but going more libertarian daily.
Colonoscopy Musings
MrBillM - 9-29-2010 at 10:09 PM
Colon, Colom ? Does ANYBODY Know ?
More importantly, Does Anybody CARE ?
Will Knowing Change Anything ?
Here's a great example of a movie that explains the meaning of this thread
Ken Cooke - 9-29-2010 at 10:14 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
Colon, Colom ? Does ANYBODY Know ?
More importantly, Does Anybody CARE ?
Will Knowing Change Anything ?
Firefighter Gordon Brewer's (Arnold Schwarzenegger) family is the "collateral damage" of a terrorist bombing in Los Angeles. When the U.S.
government turns to peace talks with the perpetrators instead of justice for his family, Brewer heads to Colombia intent on payback. But when he meets
the wife (Francesca Neri) and child of his family's murderer (Cliff Curtis), nothing is as it seems, and all hell breaks loose in true "Ah-nuld"
style.
[Edited on 9-30-2010 by Ken Cooke]tjBill - 9-29-2010 at 10:55 PM
