La reproducción en los países del Triángulo del Norte de Centroamérica del llamado ‘‘enfoque mexicano’’ para enfrentar al crimen organizado –que se distinguió por una permanente ofensiva militar– convirtió a El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras ‘‘en las naciones más violentas del planeta’’, advierte el estudio El nexo entre drogas y violencia en el Triángulo del Norte,del Transnational Institute), con sede en Amsterdam.

“Vengo de uno de los tres países más bellos de la Tierra”, de esta manera comenzó Gustavo Petro su primer discurso ante la Asamblea General de la Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU). Contrario a lo que se esperaba, el mandatario no comenzó su discurso hablando del cambio climático y de la necesidad de luchar en contra de este de forma conjunta, sino que se enfocó inicialmente en un pedido de cambio de enfoque en la lucha contra las drogas. Esta tesis fue la que articuló todo su discurso para también pedir la unión en contra del cambio climático.

Shooting from helicopters, armored personnel carriers or at close range, police officers in Rio de Janeiro have gunned down 558 people during the first four months of the year — the highest number in this period since the state began keeping records more than two decades ago. This recent spike comes after years in which the federal and local authorities put in place policies that significantly diminished police killings. But as the country dove into a deep economic and political crisis in 2014, resources for security programs dried up. Criminal gangs reclaimed lost territory in Rio, and across Brazil violence exploded: More than 51,500 people were killed last year. (See also: Jair Bolsonaro will not defeat crime in Brazil by tolerating militias)

During campaigning last year, Rio’s new, far-right governor, Wilson Witzel, promised a “slaughter” of gun-toting drug gangsters using helicopters and snipers – leading to comparisons with the Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war. Now fears are growing that the policy is being implemented in Rio, fed by a record high of 434 deaths in confrontations with police in the first three months of this year. Renata Souza, the chair of the human rights commission at Rio’s legislative assembly, wrote to the UN rapporteur on extrajudicial killings that Witzel was “legitimising” police violence in favelas.

Con disparos desde helicópteros, vehículos blindados con soldados o a quemarropa, los oficiales de la policía de Río de Janeiro abatieron a 558 personas durante los primeros cuatro meses del año, la cantidad más grande desde que las autoridades comenzaron a llevar un registro hace más de dos décadas. Esta cifra reciente sucede después de años en los que las autoridades federales y locales instauraron políticas que disminuyeron los asesinatos a manos de la policía. Sin embargo, debido a que el país cayó en una profunda crisis económica y política en 2014, se agotaron los recursos para los programas de seguridad. Las bandas de delincuentes reclamaron los territorios que perdieron en Río, y estalló la violencia en todo Brasil: el año pasado fueron asesinadas más de 51.500 personas.

It’s not known exactly how many gangs there are in South Africa’s Western Cape province, but gang membership has been estimated at more than 100 000. Almost all these gangs, most concentrated in Cape Town, make the bulk of their money from procuring and selling illegal leisure drugs such as tik (crystal methamphetimine), heroin, nyaope (a street drug that mixes several illicit drugs) and dagga (marijuana). Herein lies the conundrum: the criminalisation of possession and use of drugs creates conditions that are conducive for organised crime. This is why understanding the use, misuse and trade of illegal drugs is central to any intervention involving gangs and any policy relating to them.

A cantora Anittadefendeu a legalização da maconha durante uma transmissão ao vivo com o rapper Filipe Rett. Para apoiar essa pauta política, ela também pediu ajuda a Lula, o pré-candidato do PT à Presidência em quem ela já anunciou que vai votar recentemente. "Acho que proibir as drogas não faz com que as pessoas parem de usar. Em vez de estarem colaborando com essa guerra na favela que só mata o pobre, gente que não tem nada a ver com isso e só deixa rico esse povo que não paga imposto e que lava dinheiro, tinha que virar empresa, gerar emprego", disse a cantora. "Eu sou a favor de virar tudo empresa legalizada", concluiu ela.

Colombia’s first leftist presidenthas been sworn into office, promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government, drug traffickers and rebel groups. The incoming president said he was willing to start peace talks with armed groups across the country and also called on the United States and other developed nations to change drug policies that have focused on the prohibition of substances like cocaine, and fed violent conflicts across Colombia and other Latin American nations. “It’s time for a new international convention that accepts that the war on drugs has failed,” he said. “Of course peace is possible. But it depends on current drug policies being substituted with strong measures that prevent consumption in developed societies.”

Does marijuana cause psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and do associated symptoms like paranoia lead to violent crimes? That’s what writer Alex Berenson is claiming. As part of his new book promotion, Berenson published a New York Times op-ed that also blames the drug for “sharp increases in murders and aggravated assaults” purportedly observed in some states that allow adult recreational marijuana use. As scientists with a combined 70-plus years of drug education and research on psychoactive substances, we find Berenson’s assertions to be misinformed and reckless.

Last month, Mexico’s Supreme Court handed down two decisions that effectively overturned Mexico’s longstanding ban on the personal use of marijuana. The Court affirmed the power of the individual—rather than the state—to decide what to do with their own body. More importantly, it struck down a form of prohibition and brought the “war on drugs” in Mexico closer its end than ever before. Both of us are plaintiffs in the two cases and, for the past decade, we have worked as drug policy reform advocates who have sought to decriminalize the use of cannabis in Mexico.

México ha sido el centro de atención en lo que respecta a la violencia relacionada con drogas en América Latina. Si bien este ‘enfoque mexicano’ aún prevalece, es en el Triángulo del Norte de Centroamérica – Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador – donde actualmente se ven tasas mucho más altas de violencia y un incremento en la actividad de las organizaciones dedicadas al tráfico de drogas, una clara ilustración del ‘efecto globo’ que México experimentase después de la implementación del Plan Colombia. En su conjunto, los países del Triángulo del Norte son ahora una de las regiones más violentas del planeta.

Descargar la publicación (PDF)

El papel del narcotráfico en la violencia delictiva y las respuestas de política pública en Guatemala, El Salvador y Honduras son analizados en este trabajo de Liza Ten Velde, investigadora del Transnational Institute, quien aborda los altos niveles de violencia del Triángulo del Norte y evalúa en qué medida el tráfico de drogas es responsable de esta violencia.

The 40-year history of the open cannabis trade on “Pusher Street” in the heart of the Christiania neighbourhood of Copenhagen could be over as the city’s mayor said she was willing to shut it down over the commune’s fears about rising gang violence. Ever-worsening violence in the “green light” district, as organised criminal gangs have moved in and vied for dominance, has prompted growing concerns over residents’ safety. The mayor of Copenhagen, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, has now warned in an interview with the Ekstra Bladetnewspaper that the violence has to end and offered to close Pusher Street’s drug trade down if the 1,000 people living in the Christiania commune agree.

El presidente Mujica de Uruguay declaró que en materia de drogas la preocupación del gobierno se centra en el narcotráfico porque “ese tipo de delito tiende a derramar una cultura delictiva sin freno donde la vida humana no cuenta”. La Junta Internacional de Fiscalización de Estupefacientes (JIFE) de las Naciones Unidas rechaza los planteos de legalización de la marihuana. Los gobiernos más criticados son los de Uruguay y Estados Unidos. (Véase también: Mujica contrario al autocultivo y propone suministro en hospitales)

A determined political movement to end the war on drugs has taken shape across Europe and North America. Harm reduction advocates say lives can be saved and resources spared, if only the state would move away from punishing drug users. Perhaps, some predict, the state could even get into the business of regulating the production and sale of once-illegal substances. Yet proponents of decriminalizing, or even legalizing, drugs have focused mostly on the world’s biggest drug importers and often overlooked the countries responsible for producing and trafficking the drugs to satisfy rich countries’ demand. States such as Mexico.

Legalizing medical marijuana causes no increase in crime, according to a new study. In fact, legalized medical pot may reduce some violent crime, including homicide, University of Texas at Dallas researchers wrote in a journal article published this week. The study appears to settle concerns, simmering since the first states approved medical marijuana nearly two decades ago, that legalization would lead to more crime.

Los vecinos de Christiania están en pie de guerra contra las pandillas que han tomado el control del barrio, generando una creciente inseguridad entre los residentes. En el corazón de la polémica se encuentra Pusher Street, conocido también como el Distrito Verde: una calle de unos 100 metros con una plaza adyacente, alrededor de la que se vertebra el barrio. Aquí normalmente se levantan una veintena de puestos ambulantes que mayoritariamente venden hachís. La alcaldesa de Copenhague, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, calificó la acción protagonizada por los vecinos como “el principio del fin de Pusher Street”, tras las protestas de la semana pasada. Andersen ha declarado en más de una ocasión que, desde el Ayuntamiento, están abiertos a empezar un debate sobre la legalización del cannabis recreacional.

Caribbean states face challenges of youth involvement in crime, violence, gangs and other anti-social activities. It is not uncommonly heard the “drug problem” is to be blamed for this. This briefing wants to show this relation is far more complex and often misunderstood.

Download the full report (PDF)

Mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen is indicating that she wants to completely shut down Pusher Street due to the violence associated with the illegal cannabis trade. She has had enough of the violence and crime fostered by ‘activities’ taking place in the area. “If the residents of Christiania are clear in wanting to close down Pusher Street and do something else with the area, Copenhagen Municipality is prepared to support making a plan to find out what can be done with the street,” Andersen told Ekstra Bladet tabloid. Andersen contends that the situation at Pusher Street has reached a level that can no longer be tolerated. (See also: Lord Mayor wants Pusher Street closed)

El mercado de cocaína fumable se estableció hace décadas, por lo que no se trata de un fenómeno nuevo. En lugar de desaparecer, está experimentando una expansión paulatina, y ha pasado de constituir un hábito bastante localizado y aislado en la región andina en la década de 1970 a tener un alcance que se despliega en todas las direcciones, en toda América del Norte y del Sur, incluidas las regiones del Caribe y América Central. Las sociedades del continente americano han convivido con las cocaínas fumables durante más de cuatro décadas, pero —aunque resulte sorprendente—, existen pocos estudios sobre la evolución del mercado y pocas pruebas de primera mano sobre cómo se comercializa realmente esta sustancia y cómo la utilizan millones de personas en la región.

Descargar el informe (PDF)