- Published: January 2, 2022
- Updated: January 2, 2022
- University / College: Monash University
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Downloads: 49
Law Response Essay: Week 11 When criminals such as Joaquin Guzman “ El-Chapo” are still alive, the future will always be uncertain. All one can hope is that there is no violence resulting because of his capture. El Chapo is no doubt a powerful man as addressed by Salazar in her posting. Undoubtedly, I am shocked that his payroll extends across both sides of the border into governments. Since this is the case as noted by Salazar, then what hope does the world have in the war against drugs? What is more surprising is that there are people in Mexico who want him released. According to Hastings (2014), when El Chapo was captured, people in the streets of Culiacan in Mexico began protesting and saying they wanted him released. As noted from this event, he does not only have a lot of money and techniques to bribe law enforcement officials from both sides of the border, he also has supporters who are not hired by him. It is not hard to see why ordinary Mexican citizens would be supporting him if he has been keeping their streets safe from other drug cartels members. This just shows the level of insecurity that the Mexican citizens are facing, since they would rather have a drug lord protecting them than law enforcement agencies. This also proves that it would be hopeless not to have El Chapo extradited to United States.
Even though most people who have lost their loved ones to death because of this man are happy to see him behind bars, Salazar is right to point out of the harsh reality. This man is still too powerful. Supposedly the Mexican government manages to extradite him, which I believe is necessary, there will still be a problem. As noted by Patricia Adler, Peter Alder and O’Brien (2012), page 390, the war on drugs exists because people fail to see their harmful effects. This means that even if both governments decide to sentence him to death, drug smuggling, human trafficking and people will still be killed by other drug smugglers. When a CEO from a company gets fired, the company does not stop its operations because other CEOs get hired.
As much as the two governments want the man gone for good, it is important for law enforcement agencies to remember one thing. The solution to the war on drugs is ultimately a structural one where people will learn that they are part of what it takes to defeat the war.
References
Adler, P., Adler, P., & OBrien, P. (2012). Drugs and the American dream: An anthology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Hastings, D. (2014, February 27). Hundreds march in Mexico for release of drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. New York Daily News. Retrieved from http://www. nydailynews. com/news/world/mexicans-demonstrate-release-drug-lord-el-chapo-guzman-article-1. 1703832