FARC: History and Raison D’etre
Written by Brecken Denler The FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) traces its roots back to the 1950’s era struggle called “La Violencia.”[i] These battles were between conservative and communist factions within the country. Small communist groups banded together and adopted the FARC…
Latin America in the News, November 17th
By Brecken Denler Argentina An Argentine submarine lost almost exactly a year ago was found some 800 meters below sea level. The vessel, which carried 44 submariners, was returning to port after a supposed electrical failure. A 1980’s model, German-built, diesel submarine the ARA San Juan was assumed to have…
American Counter-narcotics
Written by Brecken Denler The war on drugs is decades old. Numbers of usage and production have remained steady or even grown. In order for a major shift to occur the United States should implement the following changes to its counternarcotics policy. As the government has suggested in the past,…
The History of American Counter Narcotics Operations in Latin America
Written by Brecken Denler In 1971, the thralls of the Vietnam war, President Nixon declared a new type of war: “The War on Drugs.” Ever since, the United States has fought to reduce both supply of and demand for illegal drugs.[i] Despite recent initiatives decriminalizing marijuana in many states and…
Anarco, Lawlessness and Narcotics in Central America
Written by Brecken Denler ANarco, Lawlessness and Narcotics in Central America Since the 1980s organized crime groups have taken new form in Mexico and Central America. Under a brokered relationship with Pablo Escobar—the Columbian king of 1980s drug trade—a number of cartels, or non-competing organizations formed.[i] These groups, functioned successfully…
