The Cali Cartel

The Cali Cartel

Although the drug cocaine became America's drug of choice around the early to mid 80s, it still is in heavy demand today. Cocaine; is manufactured by the coca leaf, which has grown vastly throughout all areas of Colombia. As stated in Terrorism Today, “the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy has announced the cocoa production has declined by 30%, but Columbia still continues to produce 75% of the world's cocaine”. Since there are not other major economic sources, that manufacture revenue or constant trade, other than that of manufacturing and the sale of cocaine the drug cartels basically control or have an anarchy in certain parts of how the government is ran.
There are two regions of the country, which play a major part in cocaine distribution, which are Medellin and Cali. Both regions have drug cartels that control close to 80% of Colombia's drug distribution throughout the world. Even though insurgents have plagued to overthrow the Colombian government and take over for 40 years with use of funds supplied by drug profits, it has been unsuccessful. “Terrorist groups in Colombia have been fully involved in the sale and supply of narcotics for financial support in their bitter fight against successive Colombian governments. Violence and intimidation in Colombia have focused around the drug trade. Terrorism, therefore, becomes a by-product of the drug trade and a means of control and power. Extortion, kidnapping, and murder are all hallmarks of the drug cartel”. (Spindlove)
With help from the United States and the anti-insurgent military plans of the government take over is to no avail. The armies of over several thousand have battle with the insurgents for years to control the territory and combat drug trade. In August 2000, the U.S. Government approved “Plan Colombia”, pledging $1.3 billion to fight drug trafficking. President Andres Pastrana, elected in 1988 use the plan to undercut drug production and prevent guerrilla groups from...