Drug crackdown takes two to tango

The Merida Initiative, which promotes cooperation between the United States, the government of Mexico and the countries of Central America, was discussed by Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Arturo Sarukhan. The initiative aims to deal with the threats of drug trafficking and transnational crime.

Sarukhan said that while the U.S. and Mexico remain ‘distant neighbors’ on some level, they are also strategic partners. In order to combat drug trafficking, Sarukhan offered a three-pronged approach which involves the U.S. and Mexico working separately to eradicate the drug demand and supply, respectively, as well as working together to shut down the border to organized crime. Sarukhan cited shifting patterns in trafficking and routes of the past 20 years as cause for the pressure to deal with the situation.

According to Sarukhan, cocaine consumption in the U.S. has decreased while methamphetamine has increased. Sarukhan noted that this change in consumption has resulted in problematic effects. Firstly, if a drug seller cannot place cocaine in the U.S. market due to decreased demand, he will try to place it domestically which will lead to greater domestic drug consumption and violence. Secondly, drug sellers would find more lucrative ways of making ends meet such as kidnapping, smuggling and human trafficking.

Sarukhan discussed the goals of the Merida Initiative which was to change the paradigm of the U.S. and Mexican response to cartels. In addition, Sarukhan emphasized the importance of giving Mexico a ‘technological edge’ in their struggle to combat drug trafficking as well as developing a regional approach towards creating counter-drug policies.