The Mexican-American Paradox

The War on Drugs combined with American foreign policy has created a paradox that undermines the purposes of both. The War on Drugs is fairly simple. One of it's three main components is that the US will do whatever it takes to shut down flow of drugs into the US. This creates tension between the US and Mexico because of the drug cartels that are largely responsible for the amount of drugs floating around in the western hemisphere. The drug cartels are also the root of much of the violence that is hurting Mexico. Violence is one of the main ways the drug cartels are so successful; they are outside the government's control. However, the success of their rule also owes gratitude to the US. The US is by far the #1 exporter of guns and weapons. Arms trade to the Mexican cartels has mostly been underground. However, most of that underground economy is knowingly supplied by US arms dealers. The trade is simply generally done here and shipped to the cartels, rather than directly dealing with the drug lords. The US is only increasing its tension with Mexico by allowing such trade to happen. The black hole of international policy and nation resources, AKA the War on Drugs, only exacerbates the problems these policies pose. By supplying the Mexican gangs with guns, the US only contributes to the problem and prolongs the suffering of Mexican citizens.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/arming+Mexican+cartels+Maybe+average/3862027/story.html