MiamiHerald.com: "When the recent Summit of the Americas in Colombia decided to commission a study on whether to decriminalize drugs, many thought that would be the end of it, and the whole thing would be quickly forgotten. Well, maybe not.
For starters, it was the first time that such a large group of heads of state ventured into that once taboo area. And there are several other non-related factors that may contribute to put decriminalization in the front burner later this year, or in early 2013." read more
The MexicoBlog of the Americas Program, a fiscally sponsored program of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), is written by Laura Carlsen. I monitor and analyze international press on Mexico, with a focus on security, immigration, human rights and social movements for peace and justice, from a feminist perspective. And sometimes I simply muse.
Showing posts with label Summit of the Americas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summit of the Americas. Show all posts
Apr 26, 2012
Apr 18, 2012
Did Cartagena mark the beginning of the end of the war on drugs?
The Guardian "Dominated by Anglo/Latin discord and the improprieties of Barack Obama's entourage, the most recent Summit of Americas in the Colombian city of Cartagena appears at first glance to have been a waste of jet fuel. But while lurid tales of secret service agents behaving like hirelings on a piss-up tour make for tasty headlines, the summit could well be remembered not for its failures, but as the beginning of the end of the war on drugs.
The significance of what transpired over the weekend cannot be overstated: in years past, we've seen countless instances of former leaders, judges and law enforcement officers coming forward to argue the case for international drug policy reform, but this is the first time we've seen sitting governments openly discussing ending the war on drugs in a diplomatic setting." read more
The significance of what transpired over the weekend cannot be overstated: in years past, we've seen countless instances of former leaders, judges and law enforcement officers coming forward to argue the case for international drug policy reform, but this is the first time we've seen sitting governments openly discussing ending the war on drugs in a diplomatic setting." read more
Apr 16, 2012
Americas Summit Results in Anti-Crime Body, Drug Policy Study
InSight Crime: "The most concrete outcomes of the Sixth Summit of the Americas were the creation of a new regional anti-crime body, and the commissioning of a study on drug policy from the Organization of American States (OAS).
All 33 countries attending the Summit in Cartagena, Colombia, voted for the creation of an Inter-American System against Organized Crime, which may be set up before the end of the year." read more
All 33 countries attending the Summit in Cartagena, Colombia, voted for the creation of an Inter-American System against Organized Crime, which may be set up before the end of the year." read more
US Allies Call for Drug Legalization
Antiwar: "The Summit of the Americas, normally a subdued tri-annual gathering of regional leaders, could be more interesting than usual this year, as right-wing governments are set to clash with their U.S. allies over the war on drugs.
An increasingly large chorus of nations — ravaged by trafficking and violence — say it’s now time to re-think international drug policy. As the corrupting power of cartels grows across Mexico and Central America, and as the body count rises, legalization needs to be seriously discussed as an alternative to militarization, regional leaders say. " read more
An increasingly large chorus of nations — ravaged by trafficking and violence — say it’s now time to re-think international drug policy. As the corrupting power of cartels grows across Mexico and Central America, and as the body count rises, legalization needs to be seriously discussed as an alternative to militarization, regional leaders say. " read more
Bigger scandal in Latin America than US secret service: US drug hunger
CSMonitor.com: "As the drug war continues to ravage much of Mexico, other countries in Central America, and the Caribbean, the US Office of National Drug Control Policy could learn something from the controversial, yet virally popular, “Kony 2012” documentary in its fight against domestic drug use.
The success of the “Kony 2012” video, despite its various flaws, reveals an important yet absent element in the US drug prevention strategy: the need to appeal to the idealistic spirit of young Americans and connect US drug use to the increasing violence spreading through Latin America. read more
The success of the “Kony 2012” video, despite its various flaws, reveals an important yet absent element in the US drug prevention strategy: the need to appeal to the idealistic spirit of young Americans and connect US drug use to the increasing violence spreading through Latin America. read more
Summit of the Americas produces divisions
CBS News: Though physically absent, Cuba cast a big shadow over this Caribbean port at a summit of 30 Western Hemisphere leaders that ended Sunday.
Leftist Latin American leaders repeatedly harangued the United States for continuing to insist that the communist island nation be barred from the 18-year-old Summit of the Americas circuit.
Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua were unequivocal: They won't come to the next summit, set for Panama in 2015, if Cuba can't come, too. read more
Leftist Latin American leaders repeatedly harangued the United States for continuing to insist that the communist island nation be barred from the 18-year-old Summit of the Americas circuit.
Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua were unequivocal: They won't come to the next summit, set for Panama in 2015, if Cuba can't come, too. read more
Despite Obama charm, Americas summit boosts U.S. isolation
Legalize drugs? It's a valid discussion for U.S., Mexico and others
Los Angeles Times: "The Summit of the Americas is more often a photo opportunity than a forum for bold policy initiatives. When issues of substance are discussed, the meeting of the hemisphere's 34 leaders has generally yielded more clashes than regional pacts. But some saw a chance for a little more action this year when leaders from several Latin American countries came to this weekend's summit in the Colombian seaside city of Cartagena complaining of drug war fatigue." read more
Apr 14, 2012
At Americas summit, Obama says no to legalizing drugs
Los Angeles Times: President Obama sought Saturday to emphasize the robust economic relationship between the United States and Latin America, and he flatly ruled out legalizing drugs as a way to combat the illegal trafficking that has ravaged the region.
Facing calls at a regional summit to consider decriminalization, Obama said he is open to a debate about drug policy, but he believes that legalization could lead to greater problems in countries hardest hit by drug-fueled violence.
"Legalization is not the answer," Obama told other hemispheric leaders at the two-day Summit of the Americas. read more
Facing calls at a regional summit to consider decriminalization, Obama said he is open to a debate about drug policy, but he believes that legalization could lead to greater problems in countries hardest hit by drug-fueled violence.
"Legalization is not the answer," Obama told other hemispheric leaders at the two-day Summit of the Americas. read more
Latin America breaking ranks on drug war
Phliadelphia Inquirer: "Latin American countries are rightfully fed up with fighting Washington’s war on drugs. In the four decades since President Richard Nixon declared the war on drugs, its battles have been fought predominantly in Latin American nations, leaving behind a trail of death and corruption while failing to achieve any of its goals.
After a bloody, decades-long war in Colombia, the epicenter of drug trafficking simply moved north, to Mexico. Upon taking office five years ago, Mexican President Felipe Calderón fully embraced the war on drugs, and the country quickly entered a downward spiral of violence that has left tens of thousands dead, even as the cartels remain as strong as ever." read more
After a bloody, decades-long war in Colombia, the epicenter of drug trafficking simply moved north, to Mexico. Upon taking office five years ago, Mexican President Felipe Calderón fully embraced the war on drugs, and the country quickly entered a downward spiral of violence that has left tens of thousands dead, even as the cartels remain as strong as ever." read more
Controversy as Obama attends Summit of the Americas
AFP: "Leaders of the American continent will open a two-day summit here Saturday anxious to expand regional trade, but dogged by controversial issues like contraband of illegal drugs and policy toward Cuba.
President Barack Obama, who arrived here Friday, said during a stopover in Tampa, Florida that he would be thinking about US workers during his talks at the Summit of the Americas.
"I am going to be thinking about how we can get more business, access to more markets and more customers in the region," he said. But "I want us selling stuff and I want to put more Americans back to work." read more
President Barack Obama, who arrived here Friday, said during a stopover in Tampa, Florida that he would be thinking about US workers during his talks at the Summit of the Americas.
"I am going to be thinking about how we can get more business, access to more markets and more customers in the region," he said. But "I want us selling stuff and I want to put more Americans back to work." read more
Apr 13, 2012
Latin American military men against drug war
Salon: "Ending drug prohibition is creeping into the U.S. political debate, thanks to a couple of Latin American military men. Oh sure, George Will’s not-quite endorsement of legalization is noteworthy, but more than one erudite conservative columnist has gone further before. The views of three Latin American statesman are important but former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz made the same case 23 years ago. The record high in public support for marijuana legalization found in a Gallup poll last year may be a factor, but the Obama administration has declared a “war on pot” since then.
It is the anti-prohibition campaign of Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, one a former general, the other a former defense minister, that has forced the Obama administration to engage critics respectfully for the first time. Perez will be pushing a formal proposal to open discussion of alternative policies at the summit of American heads of state that President Obama is attending, in Cartagena, Colombia this weekend." read more
It is the anti-prohibition campaign of Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, one a former general, the other a former defense minister, that has forced the Obama administration to engage critics respectfully for the first time. Perez will be pushing a formal proposal to open discussion of alternative policies at the summit of American heads of state that President Obama is attending, in Cartagena, Colombia this weekend." read more
Apr 12, 2012
Latin America’s drug-war fatigue brings talk of legalization
The Globe and Mail: "Latin America has drug-war fatigue and some of its leaders want to start talk about legalizing drugs. What will Stephen Harper suggest to nations facing a body count of tens of thousands when he heads to the Summit of the Americas this weekend?
Security is, after all, one of the three pillars of the Americas strategy he touts. Even if he’s not inclined to legalization, his government has done little to bolster police and judicial systems falling apart in drug wars." read more
Security is, after all, one of the three pillars of the Americas strategy he touts. Even if he’s not inclined to legalization, his government has done little to bolster police and judicial systems falling apart in drug wars." read more
Historic Challenge to Drug War Looms at Cartagena Summit
Cannabis News: "In just a couple of days, President Obama will fly to Cartagena, Colombia, to attend this weekend's Organization of American States (OAS) Sixth Summit of the Americas. He and the US delegation are going to get an earful of criticism of US drug policies from Latin American leaders, and that makes it an historic occasion. For the first time, alternatives to drug prohibition are going to be on the agenda at a gathering of hemispheric heads of state.
It's been building for some time now. More than a decade ago, Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle became the first Latin American sitting head of state to call for a discussion of drug legalization. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox joined the call, albeit only briefly while still in office through some media quotes, much more frequently after leaving office in 2006. Honduran President Manuel Zelaya issued a similar call in 2008, but didn't move on it before being overthrown in a coup the following year." read more
It's been building for some time now. More than a decade ago, Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle became the first Latin American sitting head of state to call for a discussion of drug legalization. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox joined the call, albeit only briefly while still in office through some media quotes, much more frequently after leaving office in 2006. Honduran President Manuel Zelaya issued a similar call in 2008, but didn't move on it before being overthrown in a coup the following year." read more
Apr 11, 2012
Gorilla in the Room: The Expert View on Drug Legalization
InSight Crime: "As the debate over drug prohibition develops, InSight Crime reviews the positions of leading thinkers on drug decriminalization and legalization, finding that the debate is often more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
When Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina said in January 2012 that he would support a debate over drug decriminalization, he ignited a conversation that has drawn the attention of the entire region. Even the message from Washington has shifted, with Vice President Joe Biden reiterating that the US opposes legalization, but acknowledges that it is a legitimate topic for discussion. As the sixth Summit of the Americas approaches, to be held April 14 and 15 in Cartagena, Colombia, Western Hemisphere leaders are preparing for the next stage of the debate, even though drug policy reform is not an official item on the event's agenda." read more
Obama Won't Legalize Drugs or Stop the Drug War at Colombia Summit
Poliy Mic: "When President Obama head to Colombia this week for the Summit of the Americas, he will face some difficult and important questions that no president before him has really had to answer.
With the U.S.-led drug war into its fourth decade, the leaders of South and Latin America are demanding change and reform from the largest importer of drugs in the hemisphere and the mightiest enforcer of drug prohibition. Despite the growing influence and voice of our southern neighbors, President Obama lacks the incentives and the principles to stop, or even commit major reforms on, the disastrous drug war. read more
With the U.S.-led drug war into its fourth decade, the leaders of South and Latin America are demanding change and reform from the largest importer of drugs in the hemisphere and the mightiest enforcer of drug prohibition. Despite the growing influence and voice of our southern neighbors, President Obama lacks the incentives and the principles to stop, or even commit major reforms on, the disastrous drug war. read more
Apr 10, 2012
Gorilla in the Room: Mapping Pre-Summit Drug Policy Positions
InSight Crime: Drug policy will not officially be discussed during this week's Summit of the Americas, making it the proverbial "gorilla in the room." In the first in a series of articles examining this beast of an issue, InSight Crime maps where each country stands on drug legalization.
In an April 7 editorial, Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina said he was for moving beyond the rhetoric around drug prohibition and legalization.
"Our proposal, as the Guatemalan government, is to abandon any ideological position (whether prohibition or liberalization) and to foster a global intergovernmental dialogue based on a realistic approach -- drug regulation," the former army general wrote in the Guardian newspaper's weekend edition the Observer. read more
In an April 7 editorial, Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina said he was for moving beyond the rhetoric around drug prohibition and legalization.
"Our proposal, as the Guatemalan government, is to abandon any ideological position (whether prohibition or liberalization) and to foster a global intergovernmental dialogue based on a realistic approach -- drug regulation," the former army general wrote in the Guardian newspaper's weekend edition the Observer. read more
Latin American countries pursue alternatives to U.S. drug war
The Washington Post: "When President Obama arrives in Colombia for a hemispheric summit this weekend, he will hear Latin American leaders say that the U.S.-orchestrated war on drugs, which criminalizes drug use and employs military tactics to fight gangs, is failing and that sweeping changes need to be considered.
Latin American leaders say they have not developed an alternative model to the hard-line approach favored by successive American administrations since Richard Nixon was in office. But the Colombian government says a range of options — from decriminalizing possession of drugs to legalizing marijuana use to regulating markets — will be debated at the Summit of the Americas in the coastal city of Cartagena." read more
Latin American leaders say they have not developed an alternative model to the hard-line approach favored by successive American administrations since Richard Nixon was in office. But the Colombian government says a range of options — from decriminalizing possession of drugs to legalizing marijuana use to regulating markets — will be debated at the Summit of the Americas in the coastal city of Cartagena." read more
Mar 26, 2012
Guatemala seeks the legalization of drugs
CNN Mexico: "The President of Guatemala urged his Central American counterparts to sign a regional security plan that includes drug legalization.
The head of state, Otto Perez Molina, proposed several options to put a stop to narco-violence in Central America including a regional tribunal that would adjudicate drug related cases and an indemnity on behalf of the United States for drug seizures.
The leaders didn’t arrive at an agreement during the meeting on Saturday in Antigua, Guatemala, but Perez Molina described the summit as a success.
“It was a success, as we hoped it would be. The success lies in the fact that taboos and myths were dismantled, taboos and myths that the region’s leaders had held in terms of talking about or debating these ideas. For a long time these ideas couldn’t be spoken about openly,” said Perez Molina.
The presidents of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, and of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, attended the meeting which also included representatives from other Central American countries.
Perez Molina affirmed on Saturday that the leaders are looking to start a discussion on the topic in the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia, which will take place in May.
The proposal could help lay the path for an important policy change in a region where violence from drug trafficking is a brutal daily reality.
Perez Molina isn’t the first leader to propose that drug legalization could help to slow bloodshed.
In a report in 2009, three ex-presidents from Latin America, Brazilian Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Colombian Cesar Gaviria, and Mexican Ernesto Zedillo, asked that marijuana be legalized for personal use.
Mexican ex-president Vicente Fox has also said that he supports legalization.
Analysts indicate that it’s rare that the fear of political consequences hasn’t prevented these presidents from making these proposals.
“This has been an academic debate and also a scientific debate—a topic that has been studied. Putting it to a political debate is important,” said Perez Molina last month on CNN en Espanol.
The 61-year-old president is a ex-military general that promised to govern Guatemala with an iron fist when he ran for the position in 2011.
His proposal to legalize drugs took many by surprise in April of that year.
“What I have done is put the issue on the table,” Perez Molina said to CNN en Espanol shortly after making the proposal known. “I think that it’s important for us to have alternatives (…) We have to talk about decriminalizing the production, the transit, and, of course, the consumption [of drugs].”
However, some skeptics have suggested that Perez Molina is using the drug legalization debate as a strategy to pressure the United States into sending military aid to Guatemala again.
The aid has been cut for decades following human rights abuses committed during the Central American country’s civil war." Spanish original
Translation: Mikael Rojas, Americas Program
The head of state, Otto Perez Molina, proposed several options to put a stop to narco-violence in Central America including a regional tribunal that would adjudicate drug related cases and an indemnity on behalf of the United States for drug seizures.
The leaders didn’t arrive at an agreement during the meeting on Saturday in Antigua, Guatemala, but Perez Molina described the summit as a success.
“It was a success, as we hoped it would be. The success lies in the fact that taboos and myths were dismantled, taboos and myths that the region’s leaders had held in terms of talking about or debating these ideas. For a long time these ideas couldn’t be spoken about openly,” said Perez Molina.
The presidents of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, and of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, attended the meeting which also included representatives from other Central American countries.
Perez Molina affirmed on Saturday that the leaders are looking to start a discussion on the topic in the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia, which will take place in May.
The proposal could help lay the path for an important policy change in a region where violence from drug trafficking is a brutal daily reality.
Perez Molina isn’t the first leader to propose that drug legalization could help to slow bloodshed.
In a report in 2009, three ex-presidents from Latin America, Brazilian Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Colombian Cesar Gaviria, and Mexican Ernesto Zedillo, asked that marijuana be legalized for personal use.
Mexican ex-president Vicente Fox has also said that he supports legalization.
Analysts indicate that it’s rare that the fear of political consequences hasn’t prevented these presidents from making these proposals.
“This has been an academic debate and also a scientific debate—a topic that has been studied. Putting it to a political debate is important,” said Perez Molina last month on CNN en Espanol.
The 61-year-old president is a ex-military general that promised to govern Guatemala with an iron fist when he ran for the position in 2011.
His proposal to legalize drugs took many by surprise in April of that year.
“What I have done is put the issue on the table,” Perez Molina said to CNN en Espanol shortly after making the proposal known. “I think that it’s important for us to have alternatives (…) We have to talk about decriminalizing the production, the transit, and, of course, the consumption [of drugs].”
However, some skeptics have suggested that Perez Molina is using the drug legalization debate as a strategy to pressure the United States into sending military aid to Guatemala again.
The aid has been cut for decades following human rights abuses committed during the Central American country’s civil war." Spanish original
Translation: Mikael Rojas, Americas Program
Mar 15, 2012
Drug War Debate: US "willing to listen to 'legitimate' debate on drugs" at Summit of the Americas
Milenio/EFE: "The U.S. government said today that it is willing to listen to the views of all countries in the "legitimate" debate about the war on drugs at the Summit of the Americas, but insisted that, for the administration of President Barack Obama, legalization "is not the solution."
"We are ready to have a good dialogue between all countries to hear their views," said John Feely, coordinator for the Summit of the Americas for the U.S. State Department, in a conference at the Center for Analysis for Inter-American Dialogue in Washington.
"The United States recognizes that the debate on new policies for the war on drugs" is legitimate," but "for us, frankly, legalization is not the solution," said Feely. For the U.S., which admits its "responsibility" in relation to drug use, "legalization" is not on the table," he reaffirmed.
The Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos, who will host the summit to be held in Cartagena on April14 and 15, has said that one of the topics to be discussed is the problem of drug trafficking and the measures taken to combat it in recent decades, without the expected results for the continent.
The president of Guatemala, Otto Perez, advocates the decriminalization of drugs and will meet with his Central American counterparts on March 24 to discuss their proposal prior to the Summit of the Americas.
The coordinator for the Summit of the Americas from the Foreign Ministry of Colombia, Jaime Giron, said, at the same conference, that to initiate a discussion about drugs at Cartagena "is a good start," even though no consensus is reached. read more
"We are ready to have a good dialogue between all countries to hear their views," said John Feely, coordinator for the Summit of the Americas for the U.S. State Department, in a conference at the Center for Analysis for Inter-American Dialogue in Washington.
"The United States recognizes that the debate on new policies for the war on drugs" is legitimate," but "for us, frankly, legalization is not the solution," said Feely. For the U.S., which admits its "responsibility" in relation to drug use, "legalization" is not on the table," he reaffirmed.
The Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos, who will host the summit to be held in Cartagena on April14 and 15, has said that one of the topics to be discussed is the problem of drug trafficking and the measures taken to combat it in recent decades, without the expected results for the continent.
The president of Guatemala, Otto Perez, advocates the decriminalization of drugs and will meet with his Central American counterparts on March 24 to discuss their proposal prior to the Summit of the Americas.
The coordinator for the Summit of the Americas from the Foreign Ministry of Colombia, Jaime Giron, said, at the same conference, that to initiate a discussion about drugs at Cartagena "is a good start," even though no consensus is reached. read more
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