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Begin New Search Topic Narcotics Trafficking Political Geography Mexico

11. Military Justice and Impunity in Mexico's Drug War

Author:
Kristin Bricker
Publication Date:
09-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre for International Governance Innovation
Abstract:
Mexican President Felipe Calderón's military deployment to combat the country's war on drugs has been strongly criticized by international human rights groups. During Calderón's administration, over 47,337 people have been killed and thousands of human rights complaints have been filed against the military. The Inter- American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) has issued several binding rulings that obligate Mexico to strip the military of its jurisdiction to investigate and try soldiers accused of violating civilians' human rights. On July 12, 2011, Mexico's Supreme Court ruled that Congress must reform the Code of Military Justice so that human rights abuse cases always fall under civilian jurisdiction.
Topic:
Political Violence, Human Rights, War on Drugs, and Narcotics Trafficking
Political Geography:
America, Latin America, and Mexico

12. Mexico's "Narco-Refugees": The Looming Challenge for U.S. National Security

Author:
Paul Rexton Kan
Publication Date:
10-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
Abstract:
Since 2006, when Mexican president Felipe Calderon declared war on the drug cartels, there has been a rise in the number of Mexican nationals seeking political asylum in the United States to escape the ongoing drug cartel violence in their home country. Political asylum cases in general are claimed by those who are targeted for their political beliefs or ethnicity in countries that are repressive or failing. Mexico is neither. Nonetheless, if the health of the Mexican state declines because criminal violence continues, increases, or spreads, U.S. communities will feel an even greater burden on their systems of public safety and public health from “narco refugees.” Given the ever-increas¬ing brutality of the cartels, the question is whether and how the United States Government should begin to prepare for what could be a new wave of migrants coming from Mexico.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Migration, War on Drugs, Bilateral Relations, and Narcotics Trafficking
Political Geography:
United States, Latin America, and Mexico

13. Gangs, Drugs, Terrorism— and Information-sharing

Author:
Greg Gardner and Robert Killebrew
Publication Date:
08-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Academy of Political Science
Abstract:
The conflict in Mexico between the government and criminal drug cartels has been in the news lately, particularly because of the horrific levels of violence and its proximity to our border. The U.S. Government is increasingly concerned, and President Barack Obama has turned to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for options to provide timely support to Mexico. But the “cartel war” in Mexico, which is increasingly spilling into the United States, is just the latest, most visible indicator of steadily deteriorating civil order south of the border.
Topic:
Crime, Terrorism, War on Drugs, Counterinsurgency, and Narcotics Trafficking
Political Geography:
United States, Latin America, and Mexico