MEXICO – DRUG WARS

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

Drug Wars in Mexico: Key FactsSource: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/02/world/americas/mexico-drug-war-fast-facts

• The Mexican government has been fighting a war with drug traffickers since December 2006. At the same time, drug cartels have fought each other for control of territory. More than 60,000 people have been killed.

• 90% of the cocaine that enters the U.S. transits through Mexico. Mexico is also a main supplier of marijuana and meth in the U.S.

Drug Wars in Mexico: GunsSource: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/02/world/americas/mexico-drug-war-fast-facts

• There are approximated 6,700 licensed firearms dealers in the U.S. along the U.S.-Mexico border. There is only one legal firearms retailer in Mexico.

• Nearly 70% of guns recovered from Mexican criminal activity from 2007 to 2011, and traced by the U.S. government, originated from sales in the United States.

Corruption: The Army & High Ranking Officials working for the Drug Barons

• In May 2012, the Mexican Government detained three high ranking Army Generals, including a former second in command at the Defense Ministry, suggesting the depths to which drug cartels have gone in trying to infiltrate one of the primary forces Mr. Calderón has counted on to combat them.

(Source: New York TImes – June 2012)http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/mexico/drug_trafficking/index.html

A highly profitable industry fueled by demand from the USA.

Source: CNN – 2012 http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/15/world/mexico-drug-war-essay/index.html

Homework AssignmentDate Due: Friday 25th October 2013

• The slides which follow present a range of image/graphs & cartoons regarding the drug wars in Mexico.

• Each image has an associated question.• Some questions simply require your opinion, but

other tasks demand significant research.• All responses should be typed. Questions involving

research must clearly acknowledge the source. A full bibliography should be supplied at the end of the homework assignment.

• The task is worth 80 marks in total.• You will have some class time to work on this

homework assignment.

This Sign has been constructed by the Mexican Government. (1) Who is the message really for? (Research/Opinion 2 marks) Image Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/mexicos-drug-war-50-000-dead-in-6-years/100299/Date Accessed: 16th September 2012)

Thousands of guns are destroyed in Ciudad Juarez on Feb 16th 2012. At least 6000 rifles and pistols seized from drug cartels were destroyed by the Mexican Army. (2) Why do you think the weapons are destroyed in this manner? (Your opinion – 2 marks)Image Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/mexicos-drug-war-50-000-dead-in-6-years/100299/Date Accessed: 16th September 2012)

These pictures are located in town just outside Mexico City. (3) What do you think the purpose is of displaying these large photos? (Your opinion – 2 marks)Image Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/mexicos-drug-war-50-000-dead-in-6-years/100299/Date Accessed: 16th September 2012)

This neighborhood is located in Ciudad Juarez. (4) What does the photo say about the impact of the drug wars? (1 mark)(5) In an extended response of at least 250 words explain how the economy of Ciudad Juarez has been impacted by the drug wars? (10 marks)Image Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/mexicos-drug-war-50-000-dead-in-6-years/100299/Date Accessed: 16th September 2012)

A truck burns on the road in Guadalajara Mexico on March 9 2012 Drugs cartels set 25 buses and vehicles on fire in 16 different places. (5) Where is Guadalajara in Mexico? How big is this city? Where does the majority of drug violence usually occur in Mexico?(3 marks)Image Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/mexicos-drug-war-50-000-dead-in-6-years/100299/Date Accessed: 16th September 2012)

Children lie on the ground among silhouettes, represented people allegedly killed by soldiers during Mexico’s Drug Wars. This was organized by the national regeneration movement - MORENA This event took place in the Zocalo (central square) in Mexico City on March 4th 2012.

(6) In an extended response of about 250 words research evidence regarding the deaths/violence caused by soldiers/the Mexican army in fighting the drug wards? (10 marks)Image Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/mexicos-drug-war-50-000-dead-in-6-years/100299/Date Accessed: 16th September 2012)

Photojournalists place their cameras on the floor during a demonstration condemning the alleged murder of fellow journalist Regina Martinez in Mexico City on April 29th 2012.(7) In an extended response of at least 250 words outline some major cases or a case involving the intimidation/death of journalist(s) covering the drug wars? (10 marks)Image Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/mexicos-drug-war-50-000-dead-in-6-years/100299/Date Accessed: 16th September 2012)

Fliers for missing people lie on the door of a city morgue in Acapulco Mexico on March 1st 2012. Drug violence is now a major problem in the tourist city of Acapulco.(8) In an extended response of at least 250 words explain how the tourism industry in Mexico has been impacted by the Drug Wars. (You can just focus on Acapulco or talk more generally about the impact nation wide.) (10 marks)Image Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/mexicos-drug-war-50-000-dead-in-6-years/100299/Date Accessed: 16th September 2012)

Demonstrators march to protest against the violence in Mexico City on August 14th 2011.(9). What is the message from the main sign? (2 marks) Do you think the government would agree to the protestors demands? (2 marks)Image Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/mexicos-drug-war-50-000-dead-in-6-years/100299/

Date Accessed: 16th September 2012)

Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2010/0315/Mexico-killings-How-the-drug-war-crippled-the-Juarez-economy

This map shows major drug cartels in Mexico (10) Research one of the drug cartels highlighted on the map and cover the following: • Its involvement in

supplying drugs to the US.

• Power & Resources• Responsibility for

violence/deaths.• Leadership.

(10 marks)

Response: Minimum: 250 words.

Mexican Federal Police stand guard over 105 tons of marijuana seized in Tijuana, Mexico, in October 2010. Smuggling remains a booming business. For example, south of the border it costs $2,000 to produce a kilo of cocaine from leaf to lab, according to the DEA. In America, a kilo's street value is significantly higher. (11) How much would a kilogram of Cocaine cost in the US? (2 marks) (Hint: It may be easy to work out the cost in grams then multiply.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/15/world/mexico-drug-war-essay/index.html

12a. In a short paragraph response, describe the trends in this graph. Would the Mexican government be pleased with these results?(3 marks)Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/15/world/mexico-drug-war-essay/index.html

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/15/world/mexico-drug-war-essay/index.html

Fighting the Drug Wars cost the United States billion of dollars every year. One of the biggest costs is the loss of productivity.13. What do they mean by productivity in this context? (3 marks)

Source: http://davies.lohudblogs.com/2009/03/26/neighborhood-watch/

(14) In a short paragraph response, explain the main messages from this cartoon. (4 marks)

Source: http://youdontknowish.tumblr.com/post/26939668978/u-s-mexico-drug-war-political-cartoon-truth

(15) In a short paragraph response, explain the main messages from this cartoon.

(4 marks)