HOMICIDES SOAR IN MEXICO IN 2016
Violence in Mexico has skyrocketed since the arrest of drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Here is a look at the surge in homicides following his arrest on Jan. 8, 2016. cartels have upset the “traditional” drug routes — including cocaine — that run from South America through Mexico to the U.S. That has made it more difficult for American users to find cocaine, opening the door for heroin and other opioids, which can be produced in Mexico and smuggled more easily into the U.S.
Heroin profits are smaller, Shirk said, but they provide cartels with cash as they focus on fighting for control of territories left vacant by Guzmán’s arrest.
“When you fragment drug trafficking organizations, they’re going to look for readily available products,” Shirk said.
Mexico experienced its worst period of violence starting in 2007, when then-President Felipe Calderón announced an aggressive campaign to fight against the country’s drug cartels. That led to Mexico’s homicide rate increasing from a record low of 8.1 per 100,000 in 2007 to a record high of 24 just four years later.
The Mexican government quelled that violence through a combination of anti-corruption measures and big increases in military and police spending. Mexico received help from the U.S. government, which sends $320 million a year to improve its neighbor’s security, justice, economy and education systems.
That could change under President Trump, who has proposed slashing State Department and foreign aid budgets by 37%. Trump has also infuriated Mexico by saying it will pay for expanding a wall along the border between the two countries.
“There’s a need for both countries to resolve this problem. And in many ways, we’re at a high water mark in U.S.-Mexico security cooperation,” Shirk said. “The only question now is how (Trump) will continue to work with Mexico to address this shared responsibility.”
The group’s report is based on data from the Mexican government, private companies and media organizations.