War on Drugs

Drugs Overview

1. Opium

   • Derived from poppies, leading to morphine and heroin.

2. Marijuana

   • Initially used as hemp; regulated and later made illegal in the U.S. under Harry Anslinger's influence, intertwined with racism.

3. Cocaine

   • Originates from coca leaves (chewed, brewed as tea).

   • Once used in Coca-Cola and pharmaceuticals.

Methods of Control

• Prohibition: Focus on consumer punishment, influenced by race and class.

• Eradication: Illustrated by problematic drug raids (e.g., in Durango).

• Intervention and Interdiction:

  • Operations like Intercept (1968) targeted global trafficking.

• Education Campaigns: Exemplified by "Just Say No" initiatives under Reagan.

Global Connections

1. Colombia

   • Rise of FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), transitioning into narco-communism funded by cocaine.

   • The Medellín Cartel, led by Pablo Escobar, emerged, controlling cocaine pipelines.

   • Cocaine distribution became international via figures like Roberto Suarez (Bolivia) and Gen. Manuel Noriega (Panama).

2. Mexico

   • Development of the Guadalajara and later the Sinaloa Cartels.

   • Transition from Colombian dominance to Mexican cartel power in trafficking.

Key Players

1. Pablo Escobar

   • Organized Medellín cartel, controlled cocaine trade, and laundered money via operations like La Mina.

   • Political ambitions included Congress membership and assassination of rivals.

   • Eventually captured and killed in 1993, with the Medellín cartel dismantled.

2. Manuel Noriega

   • Panamanian dictator and U.S. ally turned adversary, involved in drug smuggling.

   • Overthrown during Operation Just Cause (1989) after tensions with the U.S.

3. Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman

   • Sinaloa cartel leader known for innovative smuggling tactics.

   • Arrested multiple times, escaped twice, and finally extradited to the U.S.

Major Operations

• Operation Intercept: Targeted trafficking networks in the late 1960s.

• Operation Polar Cap: Shut down Pablo Escobar's money laundering network in 1989.

• Operation Just Cause: U.S. invasion of Panama to arrest Noriega.

U.S. Policy and Impact

• Crack Cocaine Epidemic: Massive sentencing disparities (100:1 ratio) between crack and powder cocaine disproportionately targeted marginalized communities.

• War on Drugs transitioned focus northward from Colombia to Mexico as smaller cartels emerged.

Cartel Shifts

1. Medellín to Cali Cartel: Post-Escobar, Cali assumed dominance, but "boutique cartels" later proliferated.

2. Sinaloa Cartel: Evolved through advanced tactics, rivaled Gulf Cartel and Zetas, and resisted full collapse despite Guzman’s arrest.

Outcomes

• The War on Drugs is ongoing, with persistent cartels and evolving challenges.

• Significant human cost: deaths, displacement, and enduring social and political instability.