As stated before, drugs and the trafficking that accompany them, is the root of the corruption in both countries. The degree to which drugs affect the society as a whole is amazing. In Mexican culture narcotics have a different role than in Colombia. The prob

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Mexican politics has a long way to go to fully be on the right track, but is in far better shape than Colombia. Its government was quite stable until recently. During the reign of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) the country had good stability and economic growth. The country was not perfect but the people allowed this due to the increase in living standards. The PRI increased the economic conditions, although unevenly, and that was fine. "Growth of at least 6% to 8% in the 1960's and 1970's was an absolute improvement." (Wiarda & Kline p.343) When the PRI was no longer holding the Presidency the problems came to the forefront. The stabile feel that they brought to the people was gone, and this was an opportunity for the drug trafficking problem to really be noticed. It was able to gain in strength, as the government became feeble in its transition. Corruption from drug trafficking has dug into Mexican society, infiltrating and undermining government at all levels. " Twenty-eight percent of Mexico's federal law enforcement has been fired for corruption in the last three years." (Dettmer) To back that up this comment was made about Mexico's largest drug trafficker by the name of Carillo, "it is estimated that Carillo grosses approximately ten billion dollars a year." (Reed) This certainly puts into perspective the amount of power he would have. In 1996 the government experienced an embarrassing set back. The military in Mexico seemed to be the one institution that the people could look to with pride and honesty. " The Army historically has owned large plots of land on which it has grown much of its food, and it was common knowledge among many Mexicans that the army grows and sells drugs, including marijuana, from these lands, or protects other who grow on army property. The New York Times reported conclusive evidence was available linking the Mexican government and army to international narcotics trading which has been systematically covered up or deliberately ignored in order to protect the stability and good name of Mexico's ruling PRI government." (Global Exchange)

lem is, no doubt, just as deeply rooted but does not cause the political violence that is so regularly seen in Colombia. "The corruption is cloaked in layers of deception; crooked law enforcement officials commonly use their jobs as cover, building their reputations as lawmen and patriots." (Reed) In Mexico it seems, as though everyone has a price. Everyone can be bought or paid off with drug money. It doesn't seem that it goes as far as in Colombia. It must also be said that the control drugs have on Mexico is far different, this will later be explained furthe

Some common words found in the essay are:
Wiarda Kline, Reed Mexico, Mexico Colombia, Sharpe Andres, George Bush, Colombia Mexico, Party PRI, Deviation Surveys, Transparency International, York Times, mexico corruption, colombia mexico, 1999 corruption perceptions, drug money, cpi score, 1 10, colombia hand, law enforcement, wiarda kline, corruption perceptions index, drug trafficking, soon hit,
Approximate Word count = 1828
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)