Latin America and the Multinational Drug Trade (Institute of Latin American Studies Series)

In some Latin American countries, traffickers equipped with vast resources have corrupted individuals in every aspect of public life, compromising the integrity of entire national institutions - the political system and the judiciary, the military, the police, and banking and financial systems. Moreover, Latin America, like Europe and the USA, has a drug consumption problem. Yet, drug control in Latin America is beset with contradictions. For some Latin Americans, illicit drug production in the form of coca cultivation is a traditional way of life, and has often been an economic bulwark against destitution. Attempts to control the drug trade, while absorbing vast resources, have been largely ineffectual and have had dramatic and unintended consequences. This book analyses the profound consequences that the illicit drug trade has for millions of Latin Americans, and what they imply for domestic policy and for international cooperation. Latin America and the Multinational Drug Trade is essential reading for students of Latin America, politics, international relations, security studies, foreign policy, economic development, criminology and law, and for anyone interested in the politics and economics of the global illicit drug trade. In some Latin American countries, traffickers equipped with vast resources have corrupted individuals in every aspect of public life, compromising the integrity of entire national institutions - the political system and the judiciary, the military, the police, and banking and financial systems. The drug trade foments violence and lawlessness, threatening personal safety and national security. Moreover, Latin America, like Europe and the USA, has a drug consumption problem. Yet drug control in Latin America is beset with contradictions. For some Latin Americans, illicit drug production in the form of coca cultivation is a traditional way of life, and has often been an economic bulwark against destitution. Attempts to control the drug trade, while absorbing vast resources, have been largely ineffectual and have had dramatic and unintended consequences. This book analyses the profound consequences that the illicit drug trade has for millions of Latin Americans, and what they imply for domestic policy and for international cooperation. Latin America and the Multinational Drug Trade is recommended reading for students of Latin America, politics, international relations, security studies, foreign policy, economic development, criminology and law, and for anyone interested in the politics and economics of the global illicit drug trade. Foreign Demand For Latin American Drugs: The Usa And Europe / Peter Reuter -- Drug Consumption In Latin America / Augusto Pérez Gómez -- The Drug Trade, Politics And The Economy: The Columbian Experience / Jorge Orlando Melo -- The Economic And Political Impact Of The Drug Trade And Drug Control Policies In Bolivia / Andy Atkins -- The Drug Trade In Peru / Roberto Lerner -- The Political Repercussions Of Drug Trafficking In Mexico / María Celia Toro -- Offshore Banking In The Caribbean: The Panamanian Case / Anthony P. Maingot -- Cocaine Trafficking And British Foreign Policy / Elizabeth Joyce. Edited By Elizabeth Joyce And Carlos Malamud. In Association With Institute Of Latin American Studies, University Of London. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [211]-229) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Preface....Pages 1-2 Introduction....Pages 3-20 Front Matter....Pages 21-21 Foreign Demand for Latin American Drugs: The USA and Europe....Pages 23-43 Drug Consumption in Latin America....Pages 45-59 Front Matter....Pages 61-61 The Drug Trade, Politics and The Economy: The Colombian Experience....Pages 63-96 The Economic and Political Impact of the Drug Trade and Drug Control Policies in Bolivia....Pages 97-115 The Drug Trade in Peru....Pages 117-132 The Political Repercussions of Drug Trafficking in Mexico....Pages 133-145 Front Matter....Pages 147-147 Offshore Banking in the Caribbean: The Panamanian Case....Pages 149-171 Cocaine Trafficking and British Foreign Policy....Pages 173-192 Conclusions....Pages 193-209 Back Matter....Pages 211-243