“Select one country Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, and explain the impediments to cooperative efforts.”
The United States established diplomatic relations with Peru in 1827 following Peru’s independence from Spain. In the last decade, Peru has seen consistent economic growth, poverty reduction, and broad support for democracy. The country is a key U.S. partner in Latin America, and the two have strong, positive, and cooperative relations – to include anti-narcotic efforts - (BUREAU OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS, 2016).
To further strengthen its democracy, combat transnational organized crime, and promote socially inclusive economic growth, the Peruvian government has committed to broaden economic opportunities throughout the nation, as well as to increase the State’s presence in areas susceptible to the influence and control of narco-traffickers, including the Apurimac, Ene and Montaro River Valley . U.S. assistance promotes these objectives through bilateral programs that support Peru’s anti-narcotics and alternative development efforts, advance social and economic inclusion, improve governance, strengthen basic education, and promote sound environmental stewardship (BUREAU OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS, 2016).
Approximately one quarter of the population continues to live in poverty, the country has made progress on the eradication of illegal coca but remains one of the world’s top producers of cocaine, and social conflicts over natural resources pose serious challenges. Socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth remain critical to continued poverty reduction (BUREAU OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS, 2016).
Bilateral Economic Relations
Economic and commercial ties have deepened with the 2009 entry into force of the U.S.- Peru TPA. The volume and diversity of trade in both directions has grown with two-way trade increasing from $9 billion in 2009 to $14 billion in 2015. Agricultural trade was a bilateral highlight with U.S. exports at $1.1 billion in 2015and Peruvian exports at $1.7 billion. Total U.S. exports to Peru were $8.8 billion in 2015. Approximately 500,000 U.S. citizens visit Peru annually for business, tourism, or study. The United States and Peru concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations to establish a regional trade agreement among 12 countries, and signed the TPP agreement in February 2016 (BUREAU OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS, 2016).
Looking at the crime rates from osac.gov; narcotic related crimes are quite low. Most the violent crimes happen at night and on the roads. Some other areas of concern – regarding crime – are counterfeit good, burglary, vehicle theft, and kidnappings. Don’t get me wrong Peru is still a dangerous place, but the Cocaine production/distribution is somewhat “peaceful” as there is little threat and competition - Cocaine lords also pose a real threat as they have a small army -. In the recent years Peru has overtaken Columbia in Cocaine production. Hopefully with the United States backing Peru in anti-narcotics efforts; a solid strategy can be put in place and executed with the same effectiveness as Columbia. Another “thing” that needs to be taken care of is the institutional weakness and political corruptness. Police and government officials can be easily bought by these Cartels. In an interview with the head of the police anti-drug directorate, the DIRANDRO, General Vicente Romero said that they were tracking the presence of Mexican, Colombian and Russian organized crime syndicates operating in Peru (McDermott, 2013).
With increasing pressure in both Mexico and Colombia, several top level criminals have sought safe climates and have established operations in Peru, officials said. The Sinaloa Cartel is believed to have permanent presence in Peru, centered around the port of Piura, with emissaries in Lima as well. With Peru now providing much of the cocaine headed towards Europe, the arrival of the Russian mafia is no surprise (McDermott, 2013).
In the end, Peru offers much less resistance to international drug trafficking than Colombia at the moment. It is perhaps inevitable that organized crime pay more attention to Peru, where the raw material can be harvested, law enforcement and the judiciary is open to corruption, and money laundering is still relatively straightforward (McDermott, 2013).
- Andrew
Sources;
http://www.insightcrime.org/news-analysis/is-peru-no-longer-world-top-cocaine-producer
https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17788
http://www.state.gov
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