Mano Dura Policy Case Study

But at the end of the 1990s the Colombian government implemented stronger policies to control the drug flow. This reduced the ability of the Colombian cartels to oversee and secure the international narcotic routes. After the Colombian participation diminished new gangs and ringleaders appeared, mostly from Mexico. Many of the previous Transportistas were arrested and the gang network was completely remodeled. New activities appeared which were also followed by violence and even more corruption. Narcotics were often stolen and resold during their travel to the United States. This theft is known as ‘Tumbe’ and the individuals who perform it are called ‘Tumbadores’ (InSightCrime). The Mexican cartels introduced knew gangs, the Zetas was one of them. The Zetas gang members were trained by ex-soldiers of Mexican Special Operation teams (Nicolás). The Zetas created conflict and tension between Cartels by splitting and creating deals with other Central American gangs. This brought on gang wars and instability within the Central American Society, leaving the government with no choice but to ask the United States for aid and to …show more content…
The Mano Dura also known as the Iron Fist was put into action by Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. These South American governments assign the military into the previous tasks the police once had. This creates a sense of intimidation and control within the community, yet it also brings out tension and conflict between the military and the Transnational Organized Crime groups. The Maras within the South American societies have “affected urban development, increasing the number of gated communities and middle- and upper-class buildings with strict security in place” (Avila). Now teenagers no