The Mexican Drug Cartels: At War for Control of the U.S.-Mexico Border

Abstract

While the United States focuses on threats from overseas, a crisis is brewing on the nation’s southwestern border. Mexican Cartels primarily financed by the lucrative drug trade are waging war against each other, Mexican and U.S. authorities, and anyone willing to oppose their drive to control crossing-points that can access every corner of the United States for the conduct of their nefarious enterprises. Available evidence also indicates that these organizations have expanded to include domination of human smuggling and weapons trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border. In a post 9/11 world, the person smuggled across into the United States might be an Al Qaeda or Hezbollah terrorist, and the weapons flowing into Mexico may destabilize an oil-rich economic partner and neighbor.