Consolidated Post: Series - The Business of Cartels

The aim of this series was to understand the drug war and how it is affecting people and countries. I found this learning exercise helpful in understanding the complexities of the war on drugs. Things are complicated. It is not as simple as just arresting or taking out the leadership of a cartel. Drug prohibition gives these organizations the margins they need to operate, while winning hearts and minds through economic opportunities in local communities and government corruption gives them the strength to withstand force and leadership decapitation events. I walked away from this series thinking that the drug war will not stop. As long as there is demand for drugs in the United States, and as long as there is someone willing to meet that demand with supply, there will continue to be problems. You will continue to have the endless war on drugs. At this point, the war on drugs has been lost. In my opinion, the question is more about how you manage it.

1) Part 1: Origins - From Moonshine to Multinational: https://www.belvedereinvestmentsco.com/blog/series-the-business-of-cartels-part-1-origins-from-moonshine-to-multinational

2) Part 2: The Business Model: https://www.belvedereinvestmentsco.com/blog/series-the-business-of-cartels-part-2-the-business-model

3) Part 3: Structure and Power: https://www.belvedereinvestmentsco.com/blog/series-the-business-of-cartels-part-3-structure-amp-power

4) Part 4: Corruption & Complicity: https://www.belvedereinvestmentsco.com/blog/series-the-business-of-cartels-part-4-corruption-amp-complicity

5) Part 5: The War and Its Costs: https://www.belvedereinvestmentsco.com/blog/series-the-business-of-cartels-part-5