When Did Cartels Start In Mexico? A Detailed History

Are you curious about the origins of drug cartels in Mexico and their impact on the LGBTQ+ community? At Gaymexico.net, we explore the historical roots and societal impact of these organizations, offering insights and resources to help you understand the complex issues facing Mexico. Explore the evolution of Mexican cartels, their impact on society, and discover resources that promote safety and awareness on Gaymexico.net.

1. What Events Led To The Rise Of Cartels In Mexico?

The rise of cartels in Mexico can be traced back to the early 20th century, with significant developments occurring in the 1930s due to increased scrutiny of cannabis and other drugs, leading to the formation of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in the U.S.. This bureau, headed by Harry J. Anslinger, played a crucial role in shaping anti-drug policies and propaganda. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

• 1930s: Early Anti-Drug Measures:

  • Formation of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN): In 1930, the U.S. government formed the FBN, headed by Harry J. Anslinger, to combat recreational drug use. Anslinger claimed cannabis caused violent crimes and irrational behavior.
  • Propaganda: The FBN produced films and posters promoting Anslinger’s views on marijuana.
  • Marijuana Tax Act of 1937: This act imposed a tax on marijuana possession and transactions, effectively criminalizing recreational and medical use.

• World War II (1939-1945):

  • Increased Mexican Production: With Turkish and European opium, marijuana, and heroin imports blocked, Mexico increased its production of poppy and hemp.

• Post-War Era:

  • Stepan Company: By 1959, the Stepan Company was the only U.S.-approved company to legally import cocaine, bringing coca leaves from Peru annually.

Caption: Anti-marijuana propaganda issued by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in 1935, highlighting the historical context of early anti-drug campaigns.

2. How Did The U.S. “War On Drugs” Impact The Emergence Of Mexican Cartels?

The U.S. “War on Drugs,” initiated by President Richard Nixon in 1971, significantly impacted the emergence and growth of Mexican cartels by shifting the focus to drug interdiction and law enforcement, thus creating a lucrative black market that Mexican cartels were well-positioned to exploit.

• Nixon’s “War on Drugs”: Declared in 1971, this initiative increased funding for drug control, with the majority initially going towards treatment. However, the focus later shifted to law enforcement.
• Operation Intercept (1969): The U.S. Customs Department subjected every vehicle crossing the Mexican border to a three-minute inspection to reduce marijuana smuggling, causing economic disruption.
• Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act (1970): This law consolidated drug laws, reduced penalties for marijuana possession, and strengthened law enforcement with “no-knock” searches.

3. How Did Mexico’s Internal Policies Contribute To The Rise Of Drug Cartels?

Mexico’s internal policies during the mid to late 20th century, particularly those concerning drug production and law enforcement, played a crucial role in the rise of drug cartels. A key factor was the government’s approach to narcotics production.

• 1938-1939: State Control Attempts:

  • President Lázaro Cárdenas attempted to place narcotics production under state control.
  • The U.S. reacted with an embargo on medicinal products from Mexico, leading the Mexican state to allow the industry to exist with covert support from the army, police, politicians, and regional governments.

• 1971: Military Involvement:

  • President Luis Echeverría dispatched 12,000 troops to Guerrero under the guise of combating drug trafficking, suppressing a guerrilla movement demanding socio-economic changes.

4. What Was The Role Of Colombian Cartels In The Development Of Mexican Cartels?

The Colombian cartels played a pivotal role in the development of Mexican cartels by establishing key cocaine transportation routes through Mexico, which enabled Mexican organizations to evolve from smugglers to major players in the drug trade.

• Mid-1980s: Shift in Transportation Routes:

  • Crackdowns on drugs in South Florida led traffickers to use Mexican marijuana smugglers to move cocaine across the U.S.-Mexican border.
  • By the mid-1980s, this became the major transportation route for cocaine into the U.S.

5. How Did The Arrest Of Key Drug Lords Impact The Structure Of Cartels In Mexico?

The arrest and extradition of key drug lords in Mexico, particularly in the late 1980s and early 1990s, led to significant shifts in the structure and operations of Mexican cartels.

• 1989: Arrest of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo:

  • Gallardo’s arrest led to the inheritance of part of his drug-trafficking empire by the Arellano-Félix brothers.

• 1990s: Fragmentation and Competition:

  • The dismantling of the Medellín and Cali cartels in Colombia created opportunities for Mexican cartels to gain more control over the drug trade.

6. What Economic Factors Contributed To The Expansion Of Cartels In Mexico?

Economic factors, such as neoliberal policies and trade agreements like NAFTA, significantly contributed to the expansion of cartels in Mexico by disrupting traditional agricultural livelihoods and creating economic incentives for involvement in the drug trade.

• 1982: Economic Restructuring:

  • Mexico re-negotiated its external debt with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), requiring privatization of public industry, removal of subsidies, and increased foreign investment.
  • These changes affected small producers and spurred growth in the informal sector.

• 1993: North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA):

  • While NAFTA increased legitimate trade across the U.S.-Mexico border, it also led to small agriculturalists going out of business.
  • Marijuana and poppy production became a viable alternative to bankruptcy for many.

7. How Did The Mexican Government’s Strategies Influence The Cartels?

The Mexican government’s strategies to combat drug cartels, particularly the militarization of the drug war, have had a complex and often counterproductive influence on the cartels.

• 2006: Militarization of the Drug War:

  • President Felipe Calderón launched Operation Michoacán against the Familia Michoacana, involving the military despite constitutional limitations.
  • Mexico became the second country in the Americas (after Colombia) to militarize the drug war.

• Merida Initiative (2007):

  • The U.S. and Mexico jointly announced this initiative, a multi-year security cooperation agreement.
  • The U.S. provided financial assistance, equipment, training, and intelligence to Mexico and Central American countries to fight drug trafficking.

8. What Were The Major Cartel-Related Events Between 2006 And 2015?

Between 2006 and 2015, the Mexican Drug War intensified with numerous high-profile events, including major operations, cartel leader captures, massacres, and significant social movements. Here’s a timeline of major events:

Year	Event
2006	Familia Michoacana throws five human heads onto a discotheque dance floor in Uruapan, Michoacán.
2006	Valentín Elizalde, a popular narco-corrido singer, is gunned down in an ambush.
2006	President Felipe Calderón assumes office and launches Operation Michoacán against the Familia Michoacana.
2007	The Mexican government launches Operation Baja California to fight the Tijuana Cartel.
2007	DEA arrests Zhenli Ye Gon, a trafficker of pseudoephedrine from Asia to Mexico.
2007	The U.S. and Mexico jointly announce the Merida Initiative.
2008	The Mexican government launches Operation Nuevo León-Tamaulipas to combat the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas Cartel.
2008	The Mexican government launches Operation Chihuahua to confront the Juárez Cartel.
2008	The Mexican army captures Eduardo Arellano Félix, leader of the Tijuana Cartel.
2008	The Federal Police arrests Jaime González Durán, a founding member of Los Zetas.
2009	Federal Police arrests Santiago Meza López, a hitman for the Tijuana Cartel who dissolved over 300 bodies in acid.
2009	The DEA conducts Operation Xcellerator against Sinaloa Cartel drug traffickers.
2009	Mexican military captures drug boss Vicente Zambada Niebla, son of Ismael Zambada, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.
2009	Gunmen torture and murder Benjamin LeBaron, an anti-crime activist.
2009	Juarez Cartel hitmen attack a drug rehabilitation center in Ciudad Juarez, killing at least seventeen patients.
2010	Federal Police arrests Carlos Beltrán Leyva of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel.
2010	Gunmen storm into a birthday party in Villas Salvárcar, Ciudad Juárez, killing sixteen teenagers.
2010	Authorities remove 55 bodies from a mass grave near Taxco, Guerrero.
2010	In San Fernando, Tamaulipas, the bodies of 72 immigrants are discovered inside a ranch.
2011	First banners announcing the Caballeros Templarios Cartel (Knights Templar Cartel) appear.
2011	Javier Sicilia summons 25,000 people to march in Cuernavaca, Morelos, to demand an end to the War on Drugs.
2011	The community of Cherán, Michoacán, unites and kicks both politicians and drug traffickers out of their town.
2011	Mexican police exhume 340 bodies from numerous clandestine mass graves in the state of Durango.
2012	The Mexican Navy allegedly kills Heriberto Lazcano, kingpin of the Zetas Cartel.
2013	José Manuel Mireles and Hipólito Mora take up arms against the Caballeros Templarios Cartel.
2013	Mexican authorities unearth at least 70 bodies from clandestine mass graves in La Barca, Jalisco.
2014	The Mexican Army executes 22 alleged gang members in Tlatlaya, State of Mexico.
2014	The municipal police of Iguala, Guerrero, along with the Guerreros Unidos Cartel kill six people and disappear 43 students of the Ayotzinapa Normal School.
2015	Mexican security forces capture Servando Gómez Martínez, kingpin of the Knights Templar Cartel.
2015	Mexican druglord, Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, escapes from a maximum-security prison for the second time.

9. How Did Citizen-Led Movements Respond To The Cartel Violence?

Citizen-led movements have emerged in response to cartel violence, advocating for peace, justice, and systemic change.

• 2011: Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity:

  • Founded by Javier Sicilia after his son’s murder, this movement organized marches and protests demanding an end to the War on Drugs.

• Community Policing:

  • In some regions, communities have formed their own police forces to combat cartel violence, seeking to protect themselves from both cartels and corrupt officials.

Caption: A “No Más Violencia” (No More Violence) poster, reflecting citizen-led movements against cartel violence.

10. How Have Cartels Impacted The LGBTQ+ Community In Mexico?

The impact of cartels on the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico is significant, marked by violence, discrimination, and vulnerability. While specific data on cartel targeting of LGBTQ+ individuals is limited, broader human rights reports and journalistic accounts reveal the community’s heightened risk.

• Increased Vulnerability: LGBTQ+ individuals are often more vulnerable to violence and extortion by cartels due to existing societal discrimination and marginalization.
• Targeted Violence: There have been reports of cartels targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and businesses, particularly in areas where they seek to impose social control.
• Displacement: The general violence and instability caused by cartels can force LGBTQ+ individuals to flee their homes, disrupting their lives and support networks.

For LGBTQ+ travelers and community members, it’s crucial to stay informed and connected:

• Visit Gaymexico.net: For comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable information, check out Gaymexico.net. Here, you can find guides, news, and resources tailored to the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico.
• Connect with Local Organizations: Reach out to LGBTQ+ organizations in Mexico for support and guidance.
• Stay Informed: Keep abreast of the latest news and alerts related to safety and security in the regions you plan to visit.

FAQ: Mexican Drug Cartels

1. When did drug trafficking start in Mexico?

Drug trafficking in Mexico began to take shape in the early 20th century, with significant developments in the 1930s due to increasing scrutiny of cannabis and other drugs.

2. What was the first Mexican drug cartel?

While the exact origins are debated, the Guadalajara Cartel, active in the 1980s, is often considered one of the first major, organized Mexican drug cartels.

3. How did the U.S. War on Drugs affect Mexican cartels?

The U.S. War on Drugs, initiated in 1971, increased drug interdiction efforts, which inadvertently strengthened Mexican cartels by creating a lucrative black market for them to exploit.

4. What role did NAFTA play in the rise of Mexican cartels?

NAFTA, while increasing trade, led to the economic marginalization of small farmers, pushing some into drug production as a viable alternative.

5. How has the Mexican government responded to the cartels?

The Mexican government has employed various strategies, including militarization and international cooperation, such as the Merida Initiative, to combat cartels.

6. What impact have cartels had on the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico?

Cartels have increased the vulnerability of the LGBTQ+ community through violence, extortion, and displacement, exacerbating existing societal discrimination.

7. What is the Merida Initiative?

The Merida Initiative is a security cooperation agreement between the U.S. and Mexico, providing financial assistance, equipment, training, and intelligence to combat drug trafficking.

8. Who was Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo?

Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo was a major drug lord in the 1980s, considered one of the founders of the modern Mexican drug trade. His arrest led to the fragmentation of the Guadalajara Cartel.

9. What are some citizen-led responses to cartel violence in Mexico?

Citizen-led responses include movements for peace, community policing, and self-defense groups aimed at protecting communities from cartel violence.

10. Where can I find reliable information about LGBTQ+ safety in Mexico?

Reliable information about LGBTQ+ safety in Mexico can be found at Gaymexico.net, which offers guides, news, and resources tailored to the LGBTQ+ community.

Understanding the history and impact of cartels in Mexico is crucial for promoting safety, awareness, and support within the LGBTQ+ community. For more information and resources, visit Gaymexico.net, your go-to source for all things LGBTQ+ in Mexico.

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