The Mexican cartel problem is a pressing issue that has wide-ranging impacts on both Mexico and the United States. The drug cartels operating in Mexico, such as the Gulf Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, engage in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, violence, corruption, and human rights abuses. This essay explores the history and impact of the Mexican cartel, and outlines the actions taken by the United States to address the issue, and argues that America can have a greater effect on combating the cartel by contributing more to the cause.
The Mexican cartel refers to the organized criminal groups operating in Mexico involved in drug trafficking and other illicit activities. These cartels have established themselves as major suppliers of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other narcotics to the United States. They are highly organized, well-financed, and ruthless in their operations (CFR, Britannica). Mexican drug cartels are estimated to earn between $19 billion and $29 billion annually from drug sales in the US (CFR). They are very powerful and are known to engage in drug trafficking, which fuels corruption, violence, and instability in Mexico. The cartels are responsible for tens of thousands of homicides each year, with over
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Initially, cartels focused on marijuana and heroin, but with the rise in cocaine consumption, they expanded their operations and became major players in the international narcotics trade. The Tijuana Cartel, led by the Arellano Félix family, and the Gulf Cartel were among the earliest and most powerful cartels in Mexico. Over the years, these organizations, along with others like the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel, have engaged in ruthless activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and acts of