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The Mexican Cartels: From Prohibition to Terrorism

As the relationship between the U.S. and Mexican drug cartels evolves and the U.S. State Department classifies these organizations as terrorist groups, one must ask what this designation truly means and its implication on the cartels, their operations, and broader political ramifications.

The Origins of Mexican Cartels

To understand the current landscape of the cartels, we must delve into their origins that trace back to the Prohibition era in the U.S. This time period significantly influenced countless social operations, including the smuggling of alcohol across the borders—essentially setting the stage for the future drug trade.