With its current focus on the dictatorships in Middle Eastern countries, the United States has largely been ignoring an issue closer to home.
Namely, the “War on Drugs” raging in Mexico.
In Mexico, the term takes on a more literal definition than in the U.S.
In 2006, Mexican President Felipe Calderon called on military forces to handle the growing problem presented by increasingly powerful drug cartels specializing in marijuana and methamphetamine (who have grown so powerful and violent since the ’90s that many have labeled them insurgencies).
Rather than solve the problem, the inclusion of the military into everyday state matters escalated the situation and, moreover, presented a human rights conflict. In a state where the enemies are in fact citizens, the Mexican military sometimes fails to distinguish the innocent.
Now, with 34,000 people (including civilians, children and journalists) dead from drug-related incidents since Calderon’s inauguration — and a crumbling economy — the plan is largely a failure.
In a speech made Wednesday to a convention of newspaper editors from the United States and Latin America, former Mexican President Vicente Fox (who also experienced failures when using military force to deal with drug cartels) addressed many topics involved in consideration of the drug war consuming Mexico, including violence, human rights, legalization and immigration.
In what amounts to a political mess, Fox presents a voice of reason. Among other things, he joins fellow former President Ernesto Zedillo in calling for drug (specifically marijuana) legalization in Mexico.
In his speech, Fox referenced success in Portugal, where drug use has fallen by 25 percent a decade after they were legalized.
Addressing the importance of international cooperation among Mexico, America and Canada in his speech, Fox basically echoed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s sentiments on working together from her speech in January.
Unlike the former Mexican president, however, Clinton made her support for Calderon’s drug war clear, claiming there was “no alternative.”
In fact, there is an alternative, and it’s the same one Fox is advocating: legalizing marijuana. Ignoring Portugal’s precedent and refusing to even attempt policy change is a negative trend in both U.S. and Mexican politics.
However, even if legalization in Mexico succeeds, it won’t get far without assistance from the U.S.
Profit for drug cartels arises from the transport of illegal narcotics to the U.S. Consequently, Mexico can’t reasonably legalize drugs without parallel policies being initiated in the U.S. If it does, the country risks becoming a haven for drug cartels.
Supporting this initiative may be seen in some ways as a concession to drug-runners, when it’s in fact a complete dismantling of the black market structure in its entirety.
A quick resolution of the problems in Mexico will be a boon to America as well (especially the Southwest). With violence on the streets causing the economy to suffer, it’s hardly unreasonable that Mexican citizens are making their way out of the country.
With greater safety and a more promising economic outlook at home, immigration across the border — some of it, at least — will fall.
And so will drug-related violence.
America itself is no innocent bystander. Drugs are often paid for with guns originating in the U.S. In addition, the U.S. plays a vital role in the war by training Mexico’s military and police.
As the largest international player in the world and a close partner to Mexico, the U.S. must take the necessary steps to de-escalate the war in Mexico.
Legalization is the next step for both countries — at this point, it may be the only choice we have left.
Macy Linton is a 19-year-old international studies freshman from Memphis, Tenn. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_Mlinton.
 
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Contact Macy Linton at [email protected]