Us And Mexico Research Paper

2731 Words6 Pages

Relations between the United States and Mexico have become increasingly strained, due in part to American’s contribution to ever-growing cartel violence in Mexico. The United States has been the main contributor to the cartels’ takeover of Mexico, and the current policy approach of limiting the United State’s role has failed. History has exhibited our inability to make peace with Mexico, and without considerable reform to our approach to the “War on Drugs” relations between the countries will not improve. The relationship between the United States and Mexico has become increasingly complicated since the 19th century. In the mid-1800s, the United States aimed to spread its territory by settling a large portion of Mexico’s territory, including parts of California, Arizona, and Texas. The United States was drawn to Mexico’s rich land and its agricultural opportunities. Mexico had achieved its independence from Spain just before the U.S.-Mexican War, and was not ready to give up its newly acquired land. In 1846, however, war between the U.S. and its Southern neighbors began. Throughout the struggle, the United States exerted its power over Mexico. Many Mexicans felt threatened by the power of the U.S. The United States was viewed as a neighboring bully, looking to exert its force unjustly over innocent and defenseless people. A number of unfortunate personal exchanges throughout the dispute only worsened the nation’s opinions of each other. Mexico continued to see the U.S. as an overly powerful polity, threatening to discredit Mexico’s legitimacy as an independent nation. The United States saw Mexico as a disrespectful and inadequate younger sibling . Since the war, Mexico, like many other polities, has received mi... ... middle of paper ... ...d legal means. By eliminating the black market through needle exchange programs, counseling and other medical aid, and even legalization, the cartels will lose their market. Furthermore, the Mexican government should provide similar assistance to those who have been impacted by the cartels, whether they have experienced human rights abuses or have lost land to cartel aggression. It is imperative that the United States and Mexico maintain a healthy relationship. The proximity to each other inevitably means that the countries are intertwined in a plethora of ways, from their economies to social issues. By easing the tension of the drug violence that has come out of Mexico as a result of United States consumption, the countries can focus on improving their relations to potentially become one of the strongest alliances in the world.

Open Document