Research Question: How has the evolution and expansion of drug trafficking networks contributed to the progression of violence and corruption in Colombia and Mexico since 2000? Thesis: The progression of violence and corruption in Colombia and Mexico since 2000 can be primarily attributed to the evolution and expansion of drug trafficking networks, which influence the governance, security, and socio-economic development of Colombia and Mexico.
Outline:
I. The introduction sets the stage by providing the history of drug trafficking in Colombia and
Mexico and an overview of corruption progression in the two countries since 2000. Then, I will incorporate a
statement of the research question and thesis- Research Question: How has the evolution and expansion of
drug trafficking networks contributed to the progression of corruption and violence in Colombia and Mexico since 2000?
Thesis: The progression of corruption and violence in Colombia and Mexico since 2000 can be largely attributed to the
evolution and expansion of drug trafficking networks, influencing the governance, security, and
socio-economic development of Colombia and Mexico. II. Evolution of Drug Trafficking Networks:
Columbia and Mexico. I will begin this section by highlighting historical development and key milestones,
then go into structural organization, operational strategies, technological advancements, and globalization.
III. Progression of Corruption. In this section, I will discuss the erosion of state authority and the rule of
law, as well as the infiltration of law enforcement and political institutions, and then cover the escalation of
violence and insecurity. IV. Socio-economic impacts will highlight the influences on local economies and
communities, corrosive effects on governance and institutions, and the widening socioeconomic disparities and
inequality. V. Comparative Analysis: Colombia vs. Mexico I plan to address similarities and differences in
the evolution and expansion of drug trafficking networks, contrasting responses and countermeasures in this
section by highlighting the respective governments and honing in on the implications for crime prevention and
security policies. VI. The conclusion will serve as a Summary of key findings addressing the implications for
future research and policy interventions. It will reflect on the role of drug trafficking networks in crime
progression.
The expansion and evolution of drug trafficking networks in Colombia and Mexico since
2000 can be explained in some key areas.
Colombia
Fragmentation and Decentralization: In Colombia, the dismantling of major drug cartels,
such as the Medellín and Cali cartels in the 1990s, led to the fragmentation of the drug
trafficking landscape. This fragmentation resulted in the emergence of smaller, more
decentralized criminal groups, known as BACRIMs (Bandas Criminales Emergentes, or
Emerging Criminal Bands), which filled the power vacuum left by the dismantled cartels. These
BACRIMs also referred to as paramilitary successor groups, operated primarily in areas where
state authority was weak, engaging in drug trafficking, extortion, and other illicit activities.
Shifts in Drug Production and Trafficking Routes: Colombia has remained a major
producer of cocaine, but the dynamics of production and trafficking have shifted since 2000.
Increased law enforcement efforts and aerial detection campaigns targeted coca crops in
Colombia, leading to a decline in cultivation in some regions. However, this decline was
accompanied by expanding coca cultivation into new areas and adopting new
cultivation techniques to evade detection. Additionally, trafficking routes shifted as drug
traffickers adapted to inter-detection efforts, leading to the emergence of new smuggling
corridors.
Mexico
Rise of Mexican Drug Cartels: In Mexico, the early 2000s saw the rise of powerful drug cartels,
including the Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
These cartels became dominant players in the drug trade, controlling key smuggling routes and
trafficking operations. The Mexican government’s crackdown on drug trafficking organizations,
coupled with increased competition between rival cartels, fueled a wave of violence across the
country as cartels fought for control of territory and drug trafficking routes.
Both Colombia and Mexico
Diversification of Criminal Activities: Both Colombian and Mexican drug trafficking
organizations diversified their criminal activities beyond drug trafficking to include extortion,
kidnapping, human trafficking, and money laundering. This diversification allowed these
organizations to expand their revenue streams and influence a broader range of illicit markets.
Infiltration of Institutions: Drug trafficking networks in both Colombia and Mexico have
infiltrated various levels of government, law enforcement agencies, and other institutions. This
infiltration has facilitated corruption and conspiracy with state actors, enabling drug traffickers to
operate with impunity and evade prosecution,
sources
● Aschner, J. P., & Montero, J. C. (2021). Architectures, spaces, and territories of illicit
drug trafficking in Colombia and Mexico. Crime, Media, Culture, 17(3), 327-351.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1741659020910212
● Bagley, B. (2013). The evolution of drug trafficking and organized crime in Latin
America. Sociología, problemas e práticas, (71), 99-123.
● Beittel, J. S. (2019). Mexico: Organized crime and drug trafficking organizations. Current
Politics and Economics of the United States, Canada and Mexico, 21(2), 181-223.
● Duncan, G. (2014). Drug Trafficking and Political Power: Oligopolies of Coercion in
Colombia and Mexico. Latin American Perspectives, 41(2), 18-42.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0094582X13509071
● Durán-Martínez, A. (2017). The politics of drug violence: Criminals, cops and politicians
in Colombia and Mexico. Oxford University Press.
● Jeremy McDermott, “Record Cocaine Production in Colombia Fuels New Criminal
Generation,” InSight Crime, July 17, 2017,
https://www.insightcrime.org/news/analysis/record-cocaine-production-colombia-fuels-n
ew-criminal-generation/, accessed December 2017
