Hezbollah has been infiltrating Latin American for many years now, exploiting the resource rich countries in Central and South America. Sponsored by Iran, the terrorist organization has been crucial in Iran’s pursuit of nuclear energy and possibly nuclear weapons. Teaming together with Venezuela’s former president Hugo Chavez, Hezbollah has worked to mine Venezuela’s rich uranium deposits. Hezbollah has also been using many illegal activities common in Latin American counties to fund their terrorist organization. Some of these activities have included drug, gun and human smuggling, and counterfeiting. The organization has taken advantage of the porous United States border, to fund most of these activities.
Using many of the same techniques that we use as HUMINTers, Hezbollah has used training techniques to make their members blend in easily to the Latin America culture. The organization has educated the members with language, cultural as well as religious training to help them assimilate into Latin American society. It’s estimated the population of Muslims in South America has grown quite rapidly in the last few years, going from 20,000 to 30,000. South America is home to the largest group of Lebanese, with over 8 million in Argentina and Brazil
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The funds generated by the organization has also been funded towards political campaigns. It’s unclear how effective the political donations have become, but I’m sure we have and will see some of the ramification that have come from the political influence. Islamic extremism has seem to become the new communist threat that the United States feared in the 50s through the 80s. The question will soon become does the United States have the resolve and the national treasure to fight the influence that terrorist organizations like Hezbollah has in countries around the
Recent arrests and the diminished opportunity to forward cocaine to U.S had left them with the necessity to embark in kidnappings, auto thefts, extortion, murders for hire, human smuggling, and other felonies not to mention that local demand for narcotics had increased recently. The Tijuana Cartel operations extents from the U.S Mexico border across Central America through the Pacific Route and receives support of one of most violent criminal organizations: Los
Plan Colombia is a long-prevailing foreign aid package bestowed to the country of Colombia from the United States. This foreign aid package grants substantial financial assistance to Colombia, intending to fight the “War on Drugs” and to reduce the trafficking of narcoleptics, but there is a multitude of other factors and implications, both unintentional or indirect and intentional due to ulterior motives. To accomplish the goals of Plan Colombia, most of the aid has been provided in the form of armed forces. This situation is complicated because of the ongoing civil war between the government of Colombia and the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People’s Army (FARC). Additionally making matters difficult has been the strong association of the Colombian military and some right wing paramilitary units. Such conflict in Colombia exacerbates its drug problem, but Plan Colombia allegedly seeks to tame.
In 1999, 31 Mexican military special ops members trained by US Navy Seals and Israeli special forces members deserted their ranks within the Mexican Army to join the Gulf Cartel as the security force for high ranking cartel operatives and as escorts for special shipments of drug trafficking. This was new for the Mexican military as thru the 80s and 90s the Mexican government had a generally laissez faire approach to cartels. Basically if the cartel wasn’t attacking the government and being blatantly obvious about their operations, then the government would not do much about it. As the Institutional Revolutionary Party’s (PRI) power dwindled in the late 90s, the high ranking members of the Gulf Cartel saw that this period of hands off policy towards organized crime was ending and made a move convincing these 31 men to join as a security force known then as the Zetas (Borderland).
As the Medellín Cartel was the largest drug cartel in Colombia at the time, they had controlled 80% of all the cocaine supply that was entering the United States. Despite the fact that Escobar donated millions of dollars to the local people of Medellin and funded the construction of schools and sports centers to help create a good reputation for himself. But even if he did donate millions of dollars to the poor, it was still just a chip into the Medellín Cartel’s wealth. By looking at the statistics of the number of people who were affected by Escobar’s acts of terror it has become evident to me that the negative effects of the Medellín Cartel had heavily outweighed the benefits of how Escobar tried to give back to the local people of Colombia.
The third reality factor is that the gangs in Central America differ from each other in significant ways. Although most gangs are involved in human smuggling and drug retail, MS-13 has a solidified relationship with “transportista networks and are reaching out to Mexican TCOs.” Gangs in Honduras control less territory that are significant to the TCOs are on the “sidelines of the drug trade by local and regional criminal groups.” MS-13 in El Salvador is expanding their weapon quantity, moving from handguns to automatic rifles like AK-47s, grenades, rocket propelled grenade launchers, and more. However, most of these weapons are possessed through theft or purchasing them from the military. Also, gangs take advantage of the government gun-buy-back programs to trade in old weapons for higher quality weapons.
The influence of Mexican drug cartels is widespread throughout Mexico. This influence is evident on a continuing basis. Many top officials within Mexican agencies are periodically headlining global news stories when they are exposed for being under the guidance of a drug trafficking operation/cartel. Stephen D. Morris, professor at Middle Tennessee State University, authored an article titled “Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Violence in Mexico” which illustrates the severity of...
The power that the drug cartels have over the Mexican government and civilians has risen, terrorizing the country as a whole. With the fear the cartels have drilled in the civilians in Mexico, the United States has taken action to aid its neighboring country. In many cases Mexican civilians have had to move for their safety; “people move after their source of income has declined or become less sustainable as a result…of violence [from the cartels] and insecurity” (Albuja 29.) The Mexican military and the United States marines have come together to create safety to the civilians in Mexico. Both the Marines and the military govern over the streets of specific parts of the th...
President Felipe Calderon has undertaken great measures in undertaking the country’s drug trafficking organizations since taking office. The policies which he enacted created progress during the first year in office. Calderon not only increased military presence in Mexico’s urban areas, but he also increased publicity for his antidrug efforts. “ Federal agents stormed a Mexico City
Colombia has struggled throughout the years battling various terrorist groups. The FARC is the most dangerous terrorist organization that the country has continually fought for over four decades. Drug trafficking, bombings, and political leader targeted attacks are the tactics used by this terrorist organization in hopes to gain political power. Their agenda is geared to overtake the Colombian government to make the country into a socialist society. Various efforts and attempts in conjunction with the US government have led to a weakened state of the FARC. However, the journey to defeat this terrorist group continues.
Beith, Malcolm. “The Current State of Mexico’s Many Drug Cartels.” Insight Crimes. n.p., 25 Sep.
Reza Aslan is a 44 year old, Muslim who was born in Tehran, Iran and later moved to America. Reza studies religion, is a writer, a writing professor, and a television producer. Reza graduated from multiple schools like Santa Clara University, Harvard Divinity School, University of California, University of Iowa, and Harvard University. Reza Aslan’s career consists of working as a professor for writing at the University of California, part taking in The Yale Humanist Community, and being a trustee on the board for Chicago Theological Seminary. Along with his career he is a member of many organizations like the American Academy of Religions where many religious scholars inform others about many different religious topics and issues. Reza is also an executive producer of the ABC, drama, Kings and Prophets.
Bruneau,C.,(2005, May).The Maras and national security in Central America. Strategic insights (5). Retrieved from http://www.nps.edu/academics/centers/publications/onlinejournal/2005/may/bruneaumay05.html
The US invaded Panama in 1989 and removed leader Manuel Noriega from power. Prior to Noriega’s arrest, the Bush administration had portrayed him as a “linchpin” in the narcotics drug trade. However, after his capture and imprisonment on drug charges,the drug trade went on unaffected. Drug trafficking actually increased through Panama (Fishlow 120).
Since the early 1970’s, Colombia has been home to extremely violent and sophisticated drug trafficking organizations. At the center of the drug trafficking organizations are groups, which are referred to as “cartels”. One of the most infamous cartels, called the Medellin Cartel, was at forefront of the cocaine trade with the United States. Pablo Escobar, the man who was the head of the cartel, was considered to be one of the richest men in the world and one of the most wanted fugitives (LA Times). Due to his heightened status, Pablo Escobar was involved with in a “shootout”, which ultimately led to his death. Involved in this 1993 bloodbath were Colombian soldiers, Colombian government officials, and local law enforcement (LA Times). Due to the overwhelming amount of cocaine and other illegal drugs that are manufactured in Colombia, the Colombian government and military has worked diligently and tirelessly to achieve an economy that is not centered around illegal drugs. Although drug trafficking is still a huge issue in the country, military officials are dedicated to seizing and destroying cocaine laboratories whenever they are found (ABS-CBN). Recently, the Colombian Navy intercepted a vessel that was meant for Belgium -- the vessel was carrying 5.3 tons of drugs (Dialogo). By remaining steadfast in their practices, the Colombian military and government is able to help keep Colombian culture alive and well -- and keeping the residents of Colombian
The paper traces Escobar's life from humble peasant beginnings to powerful cocaine drug dealer and kingpin. The paper discusses the sound financial decisions Escobar made as well as the way he invested in legitimate projects using the funds he gained illegally. The paper explores the influence Escobar had and the way he worked, ultimately unsuccessfully, to establish a no-extradition clause into the Colombian constitution.