As the U.S. loses its hold of Latin America, new horizons emerge, and the possibility of legalizing narcotics may put Latin America in an advantageous position. The regional economic ties are increasing, as well as Latin America’s ties with the European Union and China, which have reduced the countries’ dependence on the U.S. (LeoGrande). The U.S.’s economic aid has largely been reduced, except for aid to the poorest countries or for the war on drugs, which has also diminished the U.S.’s control of the area, aided by the increasing political maturity of Latin America (LeoGrande). The U.S.’s power is still pushed through the war on drugs, however, the fact that Latin America is heading in the direction of legalization may take away the U.S.’s
…show more content…
Latin America’s increasing independence, fueled by economic and political improvements, as well as by the reduction of aid from the U.S., have changed the way in which Latin American countries and the U.S. interact, giving greater power to the nations for pushing their own agendas and interests in the different agreements drafted with the U.S. The dropping of restrictions on drugs will improve human rights, economies, and combat transnational crime. However, this must come from bilateral agreements to legalize, as the consequences of only one side legalizing drugs would be an empowerment of drug traffickers, opposite to what is desired. There may be great motivation in the U.S. and Latin America for legalizing policies, as the benefits are bountiful for all regions. However, the movement for legalization will find great opposition, especially from actors who benefit greatly from the war on drugs, such as the arms industry, different bureaucracy against the drugs, among others- which are groups that are effective in organizing and lobbying in favor of their interests. There is, nonetheless, little doubt about the changing nature of Latin America-U.S. relations, and the direccion that more and more countries are heading to, which is the legalization of narcotics. The reduced influence of the U.S. in Latin America, in addition to the reality of U.S.’s
Latin America’s increasing independence, fueled by economic and political improvements, as well as by the reduction of aid from the U.S., have changed the way in which Latin American countries and the U.S. interact, giving greater power to the nations for pushing their own agendas and interests in the different agreements drafted with the U.S. The dropping of restrictions on drugs will improve human rights, economies, and combat transnational crime. However, this must come from bilateral agreements to legalize, as the consequences of only one side legalizing drugs would be an empowerment of drug traffickers, opposite to what is desired. There may be great motivation in the U.S. and Latin America for legalizing policies, as the benefits are bountiful for all regions. However, the movement for legalization will find great opposition, especially from actors who benefit greatly from the war on drugs, such as the arms industry, different bureaucracy against the drugs, among others- which are groups that are effective in organizing and lobbying in favor of their interests. There is, nonetheless, little doubt about the changing nature of Latin America-U.S. relations, and the direccion that more and more countries are heading to, which is the legalization of narcotics. The reduced influence of the U.S. in Latin America, in addition to the reality of U.S.’s