from Latin America Studies Program

The Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission: Charting a New Path Forward

Packs of marijuana, weapons and other scales are displayed after an operation against drug hitmen by Mexican soldiers at a ranch near the municipality of Sabinas Hidalgo, some 100 km away from Monterrey April 27, 2010. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo

December 3, 2020

Packs of marijuana, weapons and other scales are displayed after an operation against drug hitmen by Mexican soldiers at a ranch near the municipality of Sabinas Hidalgo, some 100 km away from Monterrey April 27, 2010. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo
Testimony
Testimony by CFR fellows and experts before Congress.

The increasingly complex threat of drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere requires a more agile, adaptive long-term strategy. We need smarter international policies within an interagency effort led by the State Department. This over-all effort should focus on accomplishing a fundamental foreign policy goal: reducing the supply of dangerous drugs by helping partner governments in Latin America counter vicious transnational gangs.

This inter-agency effort must also address the challenge of money-laundering. US policymakers need to develop data-driven tools to detect and block the flow of illicit funds using new techniques, such as cryptocurrencies and complex cross-border financial transactions.

More on:

Americas

Latin America

Defense and Security

Drug Policy

United States

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy should ensure that these policies are cost effective, providing the executive branch with research-based analysis and performance evaluations that measure both the positive and negative impacts of law enforcement and foreign assistance.

More on:

Americas

Latin America

Defense and Security

Drug Policy

United States

Top Stories on CFR

Climate Change

Scientists say governments need to act with more urgency to keep global warming in check. How much progress is possible at COP28?

Israel

Israel’s forces have moved to control the northern Gaza Strip but face challenges in tracking Hamas fighters into tunnels. Meanwhile, the costs for Palestinian civilians are intensifying pressure on Israeli leaders.

United States

As violence escalates in Israel’s struggle with Hamas, the potential for hate-based violence in the United States grows, too. American leaders need to step in to defuse tensions.