http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16570292
In Guatemala, the government has decided to crack down on drug crimes, particularly in the province of Alta Verapaz. Drug trafficking is a major problem in the area. The Zetas cartel was essentially running the province after infiltrating and corrupting the police force, so the president has ordered the military to take over. Following in the footsteps of Mexico's Felipe Calderon, the new Guatemalan president has issued a strict ban on the drug trade. Cocaine is frequently shipped from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. This practice is detrimental to the country because the illicit drug trade lowers the legitimacy of Guatemala's crime fighting practices, especially since cartels have taken over police jobs. The new president plans to use military measures within the country to take back the province, but this allows military personnel to conduct searches without a warrant, a policy Honduras also implemented on its war on drugs. The Guatemalan president had been in office for one day when he issued this order. Do you think he's making the right decision? The drug trade is a major problem for the country, but is taking away rights that people once had an acceptable way to govern? What type of circumstances warrant suspension of people's rights? Do any? How do you think Guatemalan officials should handle the problem?
I think the new president knows that he needs to make major decisions and strict policies in order to actually make a change. Obviously whatever Calderon had been doing wasn't working if the drug war is so bad now. Although taking away people's rights is definitely bad, I'm not sure how else the new president should handle the drug cartels because they've gotten out of control. Without serious regulations, they will continue to slide past the government.
ReplyDeleteI think he has to do whats necessary to stop the drug problem. Without a major change, the drug crimes aren't going to go anywhere. It seems like he is just stuck trying to find a solution to a difficult and complex problem that doesn't have a simple solution.
ReplyDeleteI know it sounds extreme but how else do effectively stop illegal drug trading? It's also pretty cool that he's looking to Calderon as a model.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this is the United States' fault. We're kind of the root of the drug trades in Mexico and Guatemala--people know Americans can and will pay a ton of money for drugs.
Also, I think that it's admirable that he's going so extreme on this so early in his term--it really shows how dedicated he is even if he faces disapproval.
This happens in a lot of areas, where the cartels or other groups basically run everything that happens in a region. The problem will probably need military force, because the Zetas probably have a large network of power. As we've seen with the war on drugs in America, it's incredibly ineffective and I would suggest Guatemala take a different approach.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good way to fight drug cartels is with harsh measures i mean if you want to stop crime and think talking with drug leaders or things like that then dont be president save that talk for PTA meetings or something. While it may bend civil rights it will help in the end because measures like that have order and Stability which is what they need. A great way is to send their best military and police officers over here for training in all types of warfare and policing methods and show how to deal with corruption and better to serve your country rather then yourself.
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