Voices of Mexico no. 41

Our Voice

Drug trafficking gravely distorts economies, public health and the security of all the countries it touches. And because it is a problem we share, we should also share the solutions. Therefore, bilateral and multilateral mechanisms for fighting it must be set up that also respect each country's national sovereignty and take into account the complexity of the task at hand in proposing concrete strategies. Using indepth studies, agreements must be reached that clearly define each country's functions and responsibilities, for example, in terms of financing, technology and policy design.

Unfortunately, the United States government has opted for a unilateral policy in the fight against drug trafficking: certification. This does not take into account the needs or problems confronted by the countries it classifies as producers; above all it is based on the false premise that the problem is almost exclusively these countries' responsibility. This policy has had a negative impact on U.S. relations with Latin America, especially with Mexico. But, in addition, its effectiveness is dubious. Certification's actual results are unsubstantial. Drug trafficking has not only not abated but it has increased despite the producing countries' impressive efforts to fight it. .