The recent sentencing of Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, also known as “El Menchito,” has once again brought the issue of drug trafficking and the ongoing drug war between the United States and Mexico to the forefront. As the co-leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Oseguera-Gonzalez has been deemed a major player in the illegal drug trade, responsible for the distribution of large quantities of drugs into the United States. However, despite his life sentence, many experts believe that this will do little to stem the flow of drugs and that the current approach to the drug war is not effective.
On June 11th, 2021, Oseguera-Gonzalez was sentenced to life in prison by a federal judge in Washington D.C. for his involvement in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The cartel, which is known for its brutal tactics and violent clashes with rival gangs, has been a major source of illegal drugs entering the United States. Oseguera-Gonzalez, who is the son of the cartel’s leader, Nemesio Oseguera-Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” was arrested in 2015 and extradited to the United States in 2020. He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and admitted to being involved in the cartel’s operations since 2012.
While the sentencing of Oseguera-Gonzalez may seem like a victory in the fight against drug trafficking, many experts believe that it will have little impact on the overall flow of drugs into the United States. This is because the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is just one of many drug cartels operating in Mexico, and the demand for drugs in the United States remains high. In fact, according to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United States is the world’s largest consumer of illegal drugs, with an estimated $150 billion spent on drugs each year.
Moreover, the current approach to the drug war, which focuses on arrests and prosecutions, has not been effective in reducing drug trafficking. In fact, it has only led to the rise of more violent and powerful drug cartels, as they compete for control of the drug market. This has also resulted in a high number of casualties, both among law enforcement officials and civilians caught in the crossfire.
The sentencing of Oseguera-Gonzalez comes at a time when the United States and Mexico are ramping up their efforts to combat drug trafficking. In March 2021, President Joe Biden announced a $4 billion plan to address the root causes of migration from Central America, which includes addressing drug trafficking. Additionally, the Biden administration has also pledged to provide $310 million in aid to Mexico to help fight drug trafficking and organized crime.
However, many experts believe that this approach is not enough and that a more comprehensive and collaborative effort is needed to effectively tackle the issue of drug trafficking. This includes addressing the demand for drugs in the United States, as well as implementing policies that focus on prevention, treatment, and harm reduction rather than solely on punishment.
Furthermore, the current approach to the drug war has also led to strained relations between the United States and Mexico. The extradition of Oseguera-Gonzalez and other high-profile drug traffickers has been a contentious issue, with Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador calling for a change in the approach to the drug war. He has also criticized the United States for not doing enough to reduce the demand for drugs and for not providing enough support to Mexico in its fight against drug trafficking.
In conclusion, while the sentencing of Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez may seem like a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking, it is clear that it will do little to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. The current approach to the drug war is not effective and has only led to more violence and the rise of more powerful drug cartels. It is time for a more comprehensive and collaborative effort to address the issue of drug trafficking, one that focuses on addressing the root causes and reducing the demand for drugs. Only then can we truly make a positive impact in the fight against drugs and create a safer and healthier society for all.
