The War of Drugs; The Colombian Perspective 1954-2023

Abstract

This article is dedicated to analyzing the evolution of illicit crops and their influence on crime over several decades in Colombia. Overall, drug trafficking has wide-ranging consequences that affect individuals, communities, and societies at large, including health issues, violence, corruption, economic impact, social disruption, and strained international relations. In this article we will analyze the historical root causes of drug production and drug trafficking in Colombia. A constant debate has been prevalent for who is to blame, consumers or producers? The blame for drug trafficking cannot be solely placed on either consumers or producers. Drug trafficking is a complex issue that involves multiple actors and factors. Producers, such as drug cartels and criminal organizations, are responsible for manufacturing and distributing illicit drugs. They exploit vulnerable communities, engage in violence, and profit from the illegal drug trade. Their actions contribute to the supply of drugs in the market. On the other hand, consumers play a significant role in fueling the demand for illicit drugs. The demand for drugs creates a lucrative market that incentivizes producers to continue trafficking. Without consumers, there would be no market for drugs, and the profitability of drug trafficking would diminish.