Mexico's drug cartels, particularly Sinaloa and Jalisco, wield significant power, controlling a third of the country's territory and generating billions in profits from drug consumption.
The article discusses the substantial influence of Mexico's drug cartels, particularly the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels, which thrive on the rampant drug consumption in the country. These cartels currently manage to control approximately one-third of Mexico's territory and enjoy enormous financial gains, exacerbating the ongoing issue of drug abuse within the nation. This dominant presence of drug cartels poses serious challenges to public safety and the rule of law in Mexico.
For nearly two decades, Mexico has experienced a so-called war on drugs, which has become a persistent state of conflict, albeit officially unacknowledged. Initially emerging as a smuggling enterprise in the 1930s, this illegal trade evolved into a well-structured economy supporting drug transit during the 1980s. The subsequent rise of powerful organized crime networks ultimately escalated into a violent regime that threatens national security and governance, rendering it a profound existential challenge for the Mexican state.
The implications of the proliferation of these cartels reach far beyond Mexico's borders, affecting international relations, trade, and cooperation in combating organized crime. As cartels expand their operations and influence, they continue to generate violence, corruption, and instability within communities, calling for urgent and practical solutions from both domestic and international stakeholders to restore peace and security in the region.
