1. Mexico's National Interest in Drug Profits
- Author
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TUFTS UNIV MEDFORD MA, Raymer, James H, TUFTS UNIV MEDFORD MA, and Raymer, James H
- Abstract
Mexico currently has no governmental consensus to willingly renounce the enormous drug profits flowing into the country from sales in the United States as harmful to Mexican national interests. Any U.S. drug control strategy must accept this fact at the outset in determining the prospects for success. Competing interests within the Mexican government prevent the formation of a consensus that drug profits are harmful to Mexico. Mexican presidents have framed the solution as demand reduction in the United States, while the United States has focused on supply reduction from Mexico. A significant amount of money is involved in the drug trade, with estimates ranging from $5 billion to $40 billion annually. Over 75% of the Mexican economy relies on cash transactions, making the actual amount difficult to determine. President Felipe Calderon has proposed legislation to strengthen the Mexican government's hand in fighting money laundering, but the Mexican Congress has not passed it into law. Various barriers to better cooperation exist between Mexico and the United States. The Mexican Army shows signs of corruption and military action seems to favor the ascendancy of the Sinaloa Cartel. Any solution to the problem must take the money out of the drug trade., Civilian Research Project.
- Published
- 2011