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Topic 1: Combating Mexican Drug Cartels

In recent years, the drug wars plaguing Mexico have taken a forefront in world news. Powerful cartels, such as the Gulf, Sinaloa, and Juarez, wreak havoc on cities as they battle each other for control of the lucrative drug trade. These cartels are responsible for many of the drugs trafficked into the United States. Their rise to power can be attributed to the demise of two powerful Columbian cartels, the Medellin and Cali, because they now handle approximately 90% of the cocaine trafficked into the United States. In addition to cocaine the cartels handle methamphetamine, marijuana, and heroine. It is estimated that between 8 and 25 billion USD in drug proceeds return to Mexico each year. The business is obviously very lucrative and therefore attractive to each of the cartels, who battle for their share of the profits. Because of this, Mexico and the rest of the region not only face the obvious problem of illicit drug trade, but also the violence that stems from cartel competition.

The violence between the cartels has inevitably spilled over into the streets of Mexico, with the cartels being held responsible for increased crime, death and overall violence within the cities. As a product of the drug trade, cartels have also been tied to both human and arms trafficking, kidnapping, murder and other violent acts now affecting the streets of Mexico. The cartels have begun to target private citizens as a mechanism to promote fear and therefore strengthen their already powerful stronghold within the country. They have also been responsible for the recent hate crimes, such as the death and kidnapping of many foreign citizens, particularly those from the United States. In 2009, an estimated 9,000 deaths were linked to drug cartel violence. President Calderon has committed thousands of troops to combating the cartels, but while key arrests and seizures have been made, the violence has escalated to alarming levels.

The drug trade is also entrenched into Mexico’s economy. It is estimated that the country’s “drug based economy” could not sustain itself if the drug cartels were eliminated. This is due in part to the fact that the gangs continue to grow as a result of high profits that cannot be found elsewhere in Mexican businesses. The people of Mexico lack any good options, they are forced to either try to make ends meet and live in fear of violence or join drug cartels that prosper through illicit activities and threaten the stability of the country.

While the conflict is native to Mexico, it poses an enormous threat to the stability of the greater region. The success of these cartels could translate to increased cartel formation and violence in every part of the world as well as expanded drug trafficking. Therefore, each delegate would be interested in formulating solutions to this relevant and momentous issue.

Topic 2: Opium Production in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is currently the world’s leading producer of opium. According to the World Bank, 90% of the world’s supply of opium originates in Afghanistan, with production levels within the country continuing to rise. Additionally, approximately 90% of the world’s heroin is manufactured from opium that originated in Afghanistan. While this topic is region specific, its effects are far reaching. The poppy farms in Afghanistan supply drug trafficking routes to Asia, Europe, North America, as well as the Middle East. Worldwide, the opium/heroin trade is a USD 65 Billion industry, with Afghan farmers earning just under USD 1 billion of that. The traffickers and drug lords that distribute the product make a 30-40 times greater profit than the farmers.

The growth of the opium business is directly related to the instability plaguing Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Afghan farmers have little other options to economically provide for their families. The UNODC reports that the Afghan economy is currently “inseparable” from the opium trade because farmers depend on the income from drug sales to provide for their families which inevitably means that the money is reinvested in the economy.

In addition to poverty and instability, corruption is one of the main reasons that the opium trade continues to grow uninhibited. Government officials and law enforcement officers are second only to Somalia in levels of corruption as recently reported by Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Officials are easily bribed and thus allow extensive drug trafficking networks to develop.

The opium trade also has many other consequences. As heroin use becomes more widespread, the number of HIV/AIDS cases increases worldwide due to unsafe intravenous drug use. The UNODC reports that intravenous drug use accounts for 10% of all new HIV cases worldwide. However, in areas that experience high traffic drug trade, it can account for up to 80% of all new cases. The trade also indirectly benefits insurgency groups in the Middle East. Pakistan and Iran are two or the major routes for trafficking drugs out of Afghanistan, which means that the trafficking routes directly pass through Taliban and other insurgency group strongholds. It is estimated that USD 10.5 billion in opiates crosses Taliban controlled borders, leading to substantial profits.

This topic is not only relevant but also urgent. The growth of the opium trade leads to drug trafficking routes that supply nearly every region and continent. The sale of the drugs leads to increased cases of HIV/AIDS as well as indirect funding for terrorist organizations. Whether directly or indirectly, each country is somehow affected by the opium industry in Afghanistan.