Latin Americans' Much-Needed Change of Tune in the War on Drugs Robert Muggah - The Star
go to original May 29, 2013

Recent comments by US President Barack Obama suggest a welcome retreat from a law and order approach to fighting the drug trade in Latin America to one that favors softer socio-economic priorities. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The Canadian prime minister visited Colombia and Peru last week, two of the most productive economies in Latin America. Canada sees Latin America, and the Pacific Rim countries in particular, as gateways to freer trade. While extolling the virtues of enhanced trade ties, Harper failed to mention that Colombia and Peru are also two of the largest producers and exporters of cocaine on the planet. Also quietly avoided was any talk of the explosive levels of drug-related violence across the region. Yet Canadians should acknowledge Latin Americans’ very real grievances with the war on drugs, and our shared responsibility in addressing the problem.

Leaders from Mexico, Central and South America are increasingly convinced that the war on drugs is failing. Many of them are urgently debating alternative approaches, including decriminalization, since the present strategy is broken. And it seems that at least one country in North America is starting to agree. President Obama’s visit this month to Mexico and Central America presaged a shift in narrative from security to economic priorities. And a new report just released by the Organization of American States concurs, calling attention to the shortcomings of repressive anti-drug policies across the western hemisphere.

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