The U.S. approach to cooperation with Colombia and Mexico on the issue of countering drug-trafficking

Abstract

The article examines the similarities and differences between the U.S. cooperation with Colombia and Mexico in fighting narcotics. High level of illicit substances production and trafficking, the rise of powerful criminal organizations in the territories of each country made the objects of Washington’s vigilant attention. Drawing from the theoretical assumptions on countering drug-trafficking, the author shows special features of production and distribution of narcotics in Colombia and Mexico: the legacy of the internal armed conflict with a noticeable political element of the problem in one country stands in contrast with the struggle of multiple criminal interests in the other. Proportions of innovation and succession of the steps undertaken by Donald Trump’s administration in the scale and forms of providing assistance to Colombia and Mexico are assessed, with respective roles of particular executive agencies. It reveals the part of the U.S. Congress, which ensures the functioning of established partnership mechanisms through appropriations and research. The author comes to the conclusion that deep social changes needed for the reduction of the drug threat are of secondary meaning to the Unites States. Finally, there are given considerations on the places occupied by Colombia and Mexico within the U.S. regional counter-narcotics strategy.