Colombian Trafficking Cartels
Pre-Colombian Era of Drug Trafficking in the Americas
Prior to 1945, cocaine was not a significant source of income for many gangs. There were some groups which did it in small-scale. However, there was a rise in the demand and returns for the smuggling of cocaine. This resulted in the groups organizing themselves into smuggling rings which would allow them to grow the coca plants, process the cocaine, and transport the final product to the markets such as New York and Miami. This paper will address the supply of cocaine during the pre-1970’s, which is deemed as the period of mass trafficking of cocaine. The paper will divide the period into two main eras; 1947-59 and 1959-64.
1947-59
This was the first phase of cocaine smuggling in the Americas. During this period, the rings were made up of individuals from Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, Brazil, and Argentina. There emerged cartels which were comprised of young men who were in the disorganized group and just trying to eke out a living. It is believed that these individuals relied mainly on the Andean coca circuits to smuggle their drugs (Rankin, 2010). In Peru, the Cocaine trade was headed by Andres A. Soberon, but in 1949, he had to stop this production. In 1950, cocaine was outlawed by the Peru government. From Pena’s confidential message, bursting the cocaine gangs was deemed to be extremely difficult because of the lack of informants, and the groups were mainly mobile (Gootenberg, 2007). In 1953, cocaine was being sold freely in the night clubs, but Peru was no longer a cocaine hub.
By the mid-1950s, the Chilean cocaine clans were able to rise and start controlling the cocaine trade. In particular, the Huasaff-Harb clan was the main supplier of cocaine. They exported their products through Arica and in the country, they trade mainly at the Santiago night spots. During this period, Cuba also became a major player in this cocaine trade. Their position was better cemented with the discovery of the Bolivian paste that was then brought by Abelardo Martinez del Ray. However, they were mainly couriers, and they would also be used by Andean to process his product (Rankin, 2010). The Cuban gangs were not well-organized, and many individuals were in the cocaine trade. Argentina was mainly used as a smuggling network. However, it was controlled mainly by the Italian and Jewish mobs.
1959-64.
This second phase of smuggling was more organized. With the knowledge of the petty traders and a good network, then the trade could flourish. In addition, the 1959 Cuban revolution resulted in some of the drug mafiosos to cross to the United States. Consequently, helping to cement the cocaine trade. The Chilean cocaine was mainly transported through Arica in the 60s. The cocaine clans had a ready market, and only a small amount could be left in Chile to meet the local demand. By the mid-60s, the Chilean clans had become more organized. In addition, their route was the main path towards the major markets. Therefore, the clans strived to have control of this path for economic gain.
In Argentina, the gangs were also export-oriented. From the INTERPOL seizures, the country was a passage to the other markets. This was the same position that was being faced by nations such as Panama, Ecuador, and Mexico. They were mainly points that were being used by the smugglers to get cocaine to the North-American markets. In nations such as Bolivia, many internationals were also involved in the trade. The nation had been the one to industrialize the Coca-leaf, and there was an influx in the cocaine trade.
In conclusion, during these periods in different countries, the different gangs were able to gain from the cocaine trade, and they constantly looked for opportunities that would allow them to control this trade. However, throughout the time, the governments were constantly trying to look at ways that they can stop the cocaine trade. It involved the use of the local governments and the U.S. authorities.
Mexican Cartels and the U.S. Authorities
Considering that Mexico and the U.S. share a border, then it was inevitable that the smugglers would use the nation as a gateway for the transportation of their drugs into the U.S. From the U.S. records, the gangs date back to 1914 and 1916 (Grillo, 2013). The main gang being the Sinaloa group, which was made up mainly of bandits. They have traded drugs such as opium, marijuana, and cocaine. The Mexican cartels have either been trading on their own or collaborating with their counterparts from nations such as Chinese.
To the gangs, the United States was a ready market. As the United States outlawed the use of some drugs, then the cartels got more value and demand for their smuggling ring Meyer& Seelke, 2011). For instance, they smuggled alcohol into the U.S. when the U.S. brought in place an anti-alcohol policy. After their Chinese competitors were unable to keep up with the pressure in 1930, the Mexican cartels took control of the opium trafficking rings. The gangs decided that they would come and profit from this trade no matter what.
The trafficking trade became a form of survival of the fittest. This is because the stronger cartels would use force as a way of getting control of the territory. The cartels were able to continue trading their products by having the local communities on their side, using force, and working with the corrupt local officials. They included even the most powerful office, the Presidency, as seen Raul Salinas, who was a brother to President Carlos Salinas, was linked to this trade (Grillo, 2013). Furthermore, there was a ready demand for drugs in the U.S. For instance, in the 1960s and ’70s, the hippies needed marijuana as part of their culture. They decided to use light aircraft as a way of getting the product to their market.
To help in ensuring that they could reduce the pressure, the Mexican Cartels ensured that they spread their farms throughout Mexico in areas such as Jalisco, Michocan, Oaxaca, and Guerreo (Grillo, 2013). This allowed them to have a steady supply, regardless of the Mexican and U.S. attacks in their bid to stop the drug trade.
Also, the cartels decided that they would use violence to defy the anti-narcotics directives. They immersed severe wealth, and they were able to acquire the necessary weapons that they would help to instil fear and protect their control. With the money, they could also get police officers and the military to join the cartels (Grillo, 2013). This meant that the cartels now had the military know-how and connections within the security forces. Therefore, they could continue with their trade, with minimal resistance from the security forces.
Lastly, the cartels ensured that they would use fear as a way of controlling public perception of their involvement. They ensured that the locals would back them, since whenever they were attacked, then the locals were the ones who would always end up being victims of the violent revenge missions. In addition, they would always try to lend a helping hand towards the locals. Therefore, the cartels would strive to portray the Mexican and U.S. officials as the enemy.
Conclusively, the Mexican cartels were able to defy the U.S. drug policies by being organized, violent, and corrupt in their trade. In addition, they ensured that they had numerous farms and networks, that would help in increasing the size of their trade. They also sought the local backing.
References
Gootenberg, P. (2007). The “Pre-Colombian” Era of Drug Trafficking in the Americas: Cocaine, 1945-1965. The Americas, 64(2), 133-176.
Grillo, I. (2013, Fall). Mexican cartels: A century of defying U.S. drug policy. The Brown Journal of World Affairs, 20, 253-265.
Meyer, P. J., & Seelke, C. R. (2011). Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress. Congressional Research Service: Issue Brief, 1–35.
Rankin, M. (2010). Andean Cocaine: The Making of a Global Drug. Journal of World History, 21(3), 566–568