MEXICO – IN THE DRUG WARS

Class and Homework Assignment

Drug Wars- The Human Cost in Mexico

• In January 2012, the Mexican government reported that 47,515 people had been killed in drug related violence since President Felipe Calderon began a military assault on criminal cartels soon after taking office in late 2006.

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

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

Assignment: Due Monday or Tuesday October 3rd or 4th 2013

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

• Each image has an associated question(s)• Some questions simply require your opinion, but other

tasks demand some 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 62 marks in total.• You will have some class time to work on this 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.

6.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.

7. 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)

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 (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? 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: about 250 words.

11. 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.

12. What do they mean by productivity in this context? (3 marks)

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

13. In a short paragraph response, explain the main messages from these cartoons (and on the next page). (4 marks)

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