The U.S.-Mexico border has at all times been a politically charged flashpoint. For years, below Republican and Democratic administrations, each international locations have felt the stress of insurance policies formed by headlines and political commentary reasonably than commonsense options and outcomes. That is very true for these dwelling and dealing in border communities.
Commerce is of singular significance to the area, however the politics that have an effect on it. The borderlands are suffering from nefarious exercise, together with drug trafficking, cartel violence and human smuggling. Too typically, the 1,200-mile stretch between the 2 international locations displays the implications of failed coordination, missed alternatives and basic distrust.
The questions stay: What particular actions can america and Mexico take to reinforce cooperation in addressing crime alongside the border? How may the financial results of bans on shopper items be measured in areas affected by cartels? What function do native communities play in shaping insurance policies that would assist fight organized crime and enhance border safety?
This rising risk calls for greater than U.S. enforcement. It requires a critical and constant cooperative partnership with Mexico. America is collaborating with Mexico to handle nationwide safety considerations.
Take fentanyl, for instance, a drug wreaking havoc nationwide. America has taken aggressive steps to stem the movement of fentanyl, and the Mexican authorities, below President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, has proven it may be a beneficial ally on this mission.
But, the partnership succeeds provided that each international locations decide to enjoying by the identical guidelines, aligning enforcement priorities, financial goals and public well being methods.
Sadly, prior actions by each international locations threat undermining that cooperation. Mexico just lately enacted a constitutional ban on e-cigarettes, prohibiting their import, sale, distribution and promotion. Nevertheless, since Mexico’s tobacco trade is accessible to all its residents, the ban permits cartels to step in and fill the patron demand.
Bans on shopper items don’t eradicate demand; they shift the market to the damaging underground, making a $260 million black market managed by organized crime teams.
When governments ban or artificially inflate the price of merchandise that individuals need, particularly merchandise seen as more healthy or higher selections for shoppers, they create a vacuum that cartels are greater than prepared to take advantage of. These insurance policies embrace medical items and prescription drugs, firearms and, probably, produce.
With out shared objectives and mutual belief, we won’t weaken the cartels; we are going to solely strengthen them.
As each international locations form their nationwide safety and border priorities, they have to work towards sensible insurance policies. Reckless bans not solely fail to cease legal exercise, however additionally they inadvertently empower it. Meaning rejecting short-sighted prohibitions in favor of coordinated regulation that promotes security, public well being, and bonafide cross-border commerce.
Francisco Raul “Quico” Canseco, R-Texas, is a former member of Congress.
