During the 1960’s, the infamous Pablo Escobar founded the Medellin Cartel which still impacts the nation of Colombia and its surrounding countries today. After the death of Escobar, the cartel ended, yet another one began. Today, the Colombian drug trade exists due to the power and foundations Pablo Escobar developed, the creation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, and the ideals of globalization. An undeveloped cartel which began with marijuana soon became world renown with the usage and transportation of cocaine. Modern drug trade follows a tradition that has been deeply rooted in the Colombian culture since the mid-twentieth century. Colombia has been known for its affluent drug trade since the nineteen seventies. The notorious …show more content…
He became involved with the Medellin Cartel. In 1975, Pablo seized control, gaining power. At the height of his leadership, Pablo Escobar was said to be the seventh-richest man in the world. He gained his wealth from the transportation and distribution of cocaine throughout the world. For example, the Medellin Cartel was behind up to 80% of all the cocaine shipped to the United States (Wallace). Pablo Escobar had a following worldwide, but in the early 1980’s his fame grew. He was elected deputy representative in Colombia’s Congress. His wealth and unethical background could not stay hidden. He was forced to resign after a mere two years. Later, Escobar used his power and terror to influence Colombian politics. Ultimately protecting himself and his drug cartel from the government. To achieve his goals, the acts of violence he practiced killed thousands of innocent people. Escobar’s strategy included corruption and intimidation (Pablo Escobar). Escobar gained …show more content…
A desire that is fulfilled by Colombia. The nation alone provides more than half of the world’s supply. FARC has been said to have participation in every link of the drug trade from export to control. In 2009, the U.S. government reported that FARC was responsible for 60 percent of Colombian cocaine shipped to the United States (Drug Control). The narcotics would not have made it across Colombia’s borders without the help of the revolutionary forces. Also, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia impose a tax on all economic activities on the areas that they control including coca farms. It gives the rebel group complete dominance and monitoring of trafficking. Guerilla tactics are used by the armed forces to provide protection to the farmers. The FARC’s links to drug trafficking have brought hundreds of millions of dollars annually into the organization from taxes it imposes (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica). The armed forces are dependent upon the Colombian drug trade as it is one of the only sources of