It takes a Consumer to Support a Provider: U.S. role in the Mexican Drug Cartel War

Mexico must be losing lots of tourism dollars these days. So many people don't want to travel there anymore. But whatever is lost must not be much in comparison to what Mexico gains from its narco-traficante industrial complex.

As quoted by the Dallas Morning News, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Tony Garza stated: "Mexico would not be the center of cartel activity or be experiencing this level of violence, were the United States not the largest consumer of illicit drugs and the main supplier of weapons to the cartels"


In other words, it takes two to tango, and the U.S. & Mexico have been longtime dancing partners.

Outgoing U.S. ambassador to Mexico lashes out on drug war

11:16 PM CST on Thursday, November 27, 2008

By ALFREDO CORCHADO / The Dallas Morning News
acorchado@dallasnews.com

MEXICO CITY – After six sometimes tumultuous years as ambassador to Mexico, Tony Garza is speaking out forcefully about U.S. responsibility for Mexico's widening drug violence.

"As U.S. ambassador to Mexico, I've tried to be honest with both Americans and Mexicans alike, and the truth is, Mexico would not be the center of cartel activity or be experiencing this level of violence, were the United States not the largest consumer of illicit drugs and the main supplier of weapons to the cartels," Mr. Garza said during a recent speech in Texas. "The U.S. and Mexico must fight these criminal organizations together, or we will fail together."

It's that kind of candor that over the years has won Mr. Garza both kudos and criticism on both sides of the border.

As ambassador, he has helped shepherd the U.S.-Mexico relationship through numerous minefields. But as he prepares to leave his post at noon on Jan. 20 ­ "to ensure a smooth transition" – Mexico's bloody drug violence remains his greatest concern, he said in an interview...more