America's cocaine habit fueled its migrant crisis

And it's destroying Guatemala and Honduras.
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Today, the US is facing a migration crisis on its southern border with Mexico. Thousands of people from Central America, especially Guatemala and Honduras, are fleeing their home countries, taking a dangerous journey north through Mexico, and claiming asylum in the US. How did this crisis begin? Much of it can be traced back to the 1970s cocaine trade. Cocaine, which is mostly produced in Colombia, used to be shipped by boat and plane across the Caribbean. But in the 80s and 90s, the US cracked down on this route, so traffickers started shipping their drugs through Central America and over land to Mexico. That created a violent and competitive turf war between gangs and organizations in Guatemala and Honduras, and after the governments cracked down, violence only increased, forcing people to flee, often to the US.
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[@Dave_thenerd]

Politicians are asking the wrong questions; Instead of asking "How can we stop drugs from getting into the U.S.?" they should ask "Why are so many Americans buying them in the first place? Why is the U.S. the most profitable country in the world for illegal drugs? How can an American use a product they know people likely died to manufacture, to smuggle, to sell?" The end of the drug war will not and cannot take place in Mexico or Central America, it can only end in America with a complete 180 in policy, education, thought, economics and society.

[@Leadbetter500]

A complete picture.

[@ashleywilkonson386]

Cocaine is awesome, problem solved BABY!

[@eduardoh4694]

theChillChanneL agree 100%

[@Warsie]

Netherlands and UK I believe have higher per capita consumption of cocaine. The US is a giant market though so whatever happens there wil be a lot

[@EB-du3vh]

Like diamonds ? Oh wait we don’t care about that as much do we

[@ongren1575]

between all the cocaine and the coffee, it looks like Colombias mission is to wake up the world.

[@rewer]

Joplynn Moser, that’s dark :D

[@CB0408]

And Shakira

[@steelnation5110]

Ayyyye quiubo pues 🇨🇴🇨🇴

[@bok..]

Mexico with Heroin, Tequila, and cannabis, is trying to make the world sleep.

[@troyricker8923]

Good to know you recycle

[@eyuelgorfu9404]

First law of economics: Whenever there is a demand there will be a supply. Outlawing somting is not automatic solution to cut down demand.

[@nejlaakyuz4025]

But outlawing it can make supplying the product harder which makes prices go up, which will reduce the demand, but drugs demand sadly dont get affected by prices as much as other industries.

[@NullPointer1100]

But US is the only developed country with such an enormous drug problem.

[@theb166-er3]

@@nejlaakyuz4025 But there is a problem: In rich countries drugs are expensive... In poor ones they are cheap... Yet it looks like the rich consume much more of the product per capita. Conclusion: Cheap drugs (almost for free in a controlled distribution system) would solve the problem. War on drugs is a war on the people! War on drugs is like a war on ocean currents or war on moon cycles nobody wins everybody loos.

[@BrianGivensYtube]

@@nejlaakyuz4025 Making it harder and illegal increases crime as a direct result. There's too much money in it to stop because the law tells you too.

[@New777World]

outlawing drug cartels and its routes and its countries is only treating a symptom and not curing the source of the disease! a brute force of something is unlike going to solve a problem that US and rest of world have, by brute force, it only creates more problems where new kind of people become victims! why not spend billions of dollars in educating children at early stage in life in schools and make it a class period in there academic teaching! from kinder to college! and have programs to assist children with drug related issues ! its unfortunate our children become what we teach them as adults and parents with drug problems pass on the baton stick and very little is done to prevent this! its almos like the government know its a serious problem but very little is done to take it serious and its gets serious only when it already has grown to become a problem! Invest in curing the disease and less in attacking the symptom!

[@emmah6454]

As long as people IN THE USA keep demanding , drugs will never stop . This will never stop

[@odemata87]

Largest market because it has the population and higher income per cap to purchase of the area.

[@lilmango6281]

@@82jasonbyrd no demand but abundant supply is literally what kills industries

[@jukeboxhero1649]

Why is there violence? Who's getting violent and why? If cocaine comes to Honduras and then hondurans take it to Mexico then why would that be violent? How? Como?

[@patrickperez6791]

It benefits many.

[@theroldan8675]

it will never stop cos "master race" are renowned drug addicts

[@alamaziis]

"sir what are we gonna do with this 20 tons of this confiscated cocaine?" "do you mean 15 tons? they'll be sent to the feds ofc" "yes i mean 9 tons sir, i'll send them right away"

[@gazzaplayz1233]

Thin white line

[@stargun7235]

Oh wow xD

[@14paste14]

What cocaine

[@SmileFile_exe]

@@14paste14 Sir, we have no idea what you are talking about. We have not confiscated any cocaine.

[@kylelemire6049]

Haha great stuff

[@kiran9696]

The US should look inside for a solution rather than waging wars outside..

[@learnerofsuntzu9325]

as an american, i agree with this.

[@thepantyraid4266]

We did, we literally got one of our DEA agent killed because of our inside intervention. RIP Kiki Camarena

[@MajorMlgNoob]

If the US were capable of that we might actually be the greatest country on Earth lol

[@danielchacon1859]

US shoud ask why so many people consume too much cocaine intead doing wars outside.

[@RodTejada502]

As a Guatemalan, thanks for this video. Sadly, you forgot to mention that the Internal war we suffered was mainly triggered due to US military intervention. So yeah, we're still paying that after all these years. That being said, most people who leave my country HATE the idea. NO ONE wants to go to the US. But between being killed and risking your life, you know which option will always be selected. Traveling north it's at least an option.

[@thewarriorofdubstep]

*The war isn't over, it simply merged with a bigger one and Slowed down*

[@rafainfernal]

@Robert Alan like the US does with everyone else?

[@dg_96_7]

Bs , our country aids yours millions of dollars every year , you and your ppl need to take up arms and stand up to your government.

[@fatamerican6624]

3rd world drug country doing what they do best

[@robertkelley5502]

@@kungfoochicken08 you're right, they should do that. The thing is that they can't. If our Country stopped meddling in those countries affairs, maybe they could.

[@mmet2943]

This should NOT be an age-restricted video. It is filled with valuable information based in fact.

[@friarruse1827]

> America: Complains about Illegal immigrants bringing over illegal drugs > Also America: Does Cocaine Good job America

[@kody1064]

Friar Ruse for the record I don’t complain about the illegal drugs just the illegal immigrants

[@therabbi9848]

And the US is somehow collectively responsible for some people snorting cocaine ok

[@lefthanded5473]

Democrats: are the ones importing and doing the drugs. Us conservatives are trying to fix this mess.

[@aztekwarriorhr]

@@lefthanded5473 racist trump snorts coca muchacho. He's a bad racist hombre

[@Supernova12034]

@@lefthanded5473 Yes, like rush limbaugh poppin pills

[@antonbor9039]

3 seasons of narcos in 1 vid

[@MrCrashDavi]

+

[@Grendelmonster8u]

I'm on season 3 of the Narcos series. They're not really touching all the CIA and Contra funding stuff, not with Escobar and not with the 4 1/2 hours I just watched. It's very vague in that respect.

[@nightsinwhitesatin]

@@Grendelmonster8u i'm 5 years late but watch show called snowfall

[@MatthewHodges]

The literal definition of “you played yourself”

[@borkwoof696]

Not literally

[@borkwoof696]

KA no

[@cactuslactus7009]

@@borkwoof696 Lol you should go the border and see people cross, you played yourself

[@borkwoof696]

@@cactuslactus7009 it‘s not "the literal definition" tho

[@funtimes7305]

It is interesting how none is talking about the outflow of weapons "Legally" and "illegally from the US, which fueled every war in Central/south America if not the world.

[@mdsameerthunder]

They supplied them with guns, we supplied you by cocaine; what cocaine is for cartels is what guns are for us ; both of them make money by selling stuff ,I guess that's why the war is never ending

[@edwinanderson1562]

its illegal. not legal what so ever.

[@luciferangelica]

do you remember operation fast and the furius (really the name of that operation). they had a plan to sell guns with tracking chips to mexican gangsters. allegedly on accident, they forgot the batteries

[@luciferangelica]

do you remember operation fast and the furius (really the name of that operation). they had a plan to sell guns with tracking chips to mexican gangsters. allegedly on accident, they forgot the batteries

[@Sheamu5]

Seems like we've got a drug problem in the us, who knew.

[@Zeldarw104]

Hello!! 🙄😑

[@JuHoCH]

420 likes nice

[@funbucket09]

I did

[@boringguylikeme1254]

Is anyone else having a bit of a deja-vu? The US is not the first country to struggle finding solutions to drug trafficking and drug consumption, a lot of countries in the world have the same exact problems; the difference is the scale of the US market. Theoretically, drugs are just a business like any other. All businesses operate on similar economic principles and rules. A fundamental principle in a market economy is demand and supply. If there is a demand for a product (in this case cocaine), there will be a growing supply until equilibrium is achieved. So, the first step would be to tackle demand, which begs the question: Why is the US the largest cocaine consumer in the world? The second thing would be the supply side: People want to be employed to earn enough money to live off of, so they look into the labor market and as soon as the benefits of the drug employment outweighs the downsides, the drug cartels (aka companies who employ) grow their employee base. This begs the question: Why does the drugs business outweigh other employment opportunities? The US tried to intervene on the supply side by restricting US market access. As simple 'tariffs' won't do in such a case, they chose raw force (aka law enforcement). The problem is, the demand is still there - the US recognized this and pushed for hard domestic laws to lift the threshold of when consuming drugs outweigh the negative consequences. In theory, this should curb demand but in a market, the supply side will always try to create a market even if there isn't or shouldn't be one, meaning if the drugs cartels are sufficiently big, they will move heaven and earth to carve out a market for them. Just like any other large businesses (think of insurance companies for example) since the alternative would be disastrous. At the same time, the drug cartels will push to explore new markets (Canada for example) to continuing their business expansion. Economics is interesting, isn't it? Even though it is a messy subject no one really understands, the world revolves around it. The US tends to favor unilateral policy decisions which seems to not work out in this case, admittedly, it is a difficult problem to solve but time to realign the approach?

[@chisspa777]

I read KZbin comments all day everyday and yours is one of the most sincere and logical I've read in a while. I'm sorry I can't add to your ideas but just imagine me nodding violently to all of your sentences!

[@Dannymiles1987]

You asked a question early. Why is the USA the biggest consumer. I think the question is obvious. Our Dollar is worth a lot of money exchanges into lesser currencies. To an American 60$ gets them a small bag for maybe a crazy social gathering or whatever. 60$ to an American is pretty much nothing. But 60$ converted over is another story. 60$ for 1/8 of a gram. They’re smuggling 1 K in backpacks. The math seems obvious

[@fajarsetiawan8665]

Well, the utopian way to eradicate a certain sector of market is basically to convince EVERY govs in the world to act in the same ways of curbing the demand and supply. Basically, when there are no buyers at all, the business will die eventually, right? But how about innovations, what if there are new strands of cocaine that could be a potential market? Well, that's the way life goes, isn't it? Just keep doing it until everybody hate it.

[@jinjunliu2401]

@@aidsgill7217 161 likes, so at least 161 people got influenced a bit by this comment... I'd say he didn't waste any time

[@davidelliott1594]

+Boring guylikeMe12 Very well written statement. To address of few of the questions posed, such as why is the US the largest cocaine consumer in the world, I would think the answer to that is based on both economic and cultural factors. While it is something not often discussed, the economics of a country play an enormous role in its culture, way of life, perspectives, sensibilities, etc. The United States is not only the third largest country in the world, but it is by far the most economically prosperous country of its size in the world in reference to general income distribution. It is a country with a massive population where the majority of its population would be considered middle and upper class when compared to the overwhelming majority of the world. So despite many people living paycheck to paycheck, there is still enough disposable income for many people to go out and largely do what they want to do. However, what comes with being such a large and economically prosperous nation is a lot of stress, a lot of daily grind trying to meet and maintain the standards of the perspective of what life in the United States is ideally supposed to be ("the American dream") and also "keeping up with the Joneses." Indeed, the US has many common luxuries among average citizens that are not seen in everyday life for much of the world's population, but what is not often discussed is the amount of stress that comes with maintaining it all. While in many places in the world, much of the populations are happy if they just have enough food on the table and the rent is paid and health, we as Americans in general cannot be content with basic survival. We all, regardless of social or economic status, have some form of constant desire and ambition to more, no matter what we do or do not achieve, and while that drives our economic success as nation, it also creates a lot of debt, a lot of pressure, and a mountain of internalized, individual personal stress in many people of every economic level. And for many people, that stress relief comes in the form of drugs and partying, whether as an addition or purely recreational, a temporary escape one could say. Drug usage to deal with different forms of stress is a global situation, but few nations have the numbers and income of the citizenry of the United States. And with many people having the disposable income to fuel drug usage while maintaining a normal life by American standards, it's very easy for a nation with both the numbers and prosperity of the US to became a top consumer of illegal narcotics. "Why does the drugs business outweigh other employment opportunities? " That question is answered by the fact that literally every major cocaine producing country suffers from massive government corruption which drains enormous sums of money for the overall economy which results in fractured infrastructure, lack of trust in institutions, lower educational and work opportunities for the general public, and high importation tariffs for technology. The minimum wage in basically all Latin American countries for example is less than the equivalent of 300.00 USD a month, and there are many people who make much less than that in major Latin American cities that have a very high cost of living. For example, 25% of the city of Rio de Janiero lives in slums, and that is a city with more than 6 million people in it. Thus criminal enterprises in many drug producing countries have a large pool of potential candidates to choose from, because there are massive numbers of people either unemployed or underemployed and making barely the necessities. So, the problem doesn't until a number of different cultures change, or drug policy itself is approached in a different way, as was mentioned.

[@carloslanza2046]

As a Honduran, I really agree on how this video handles the topic. Thank you

[@TaylorIserman]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the 1928th reason to not do cocaine.

[@TheAwillz]

Taylor Iserman you haven’t lived until you’ve bashed a cheeky slug of the Chang from a prostitutes sphincter. A rite of passage as old as time

[@jameslongstaff2762]

@@TheAwillz A rite of passage that increases the crime, rape, violence, and forced migration in other people's lives. Maybe you should find a hobby that doesn't destroy another person's life.

[@mikekeef2330]

I love cocaine

[@Tony-zd1mg]

Ill give you 1929 reasons why you should 😂

[@yuhaye1909]

Mike Keef that’s why your 45 and still doing it

[@BobMcCoy]

*It’s one **_hell of a drug_*

[@demiurge9212]

🍚🗞 Snoooooooooooooooooooooort OH YEAH YEAH!!!

[@user-lo8km1ws7y]

_Bob McCoy which brings me to my next point, DONT DO DRUGS

[@revolutionarycomrade]

@@user-lo8km1ws7y false. ALWAYS do drugs.

[@lucaszhu1028]

Do drugs, but get some help in Portugal when you stop. They speak some English.

[@JoeLikesTrains]

what does it taste like, where do you buy them? is weed legal in america?

[@mashamitchell9574]

Portugal decriminalized all drugs and their crime rate dropped. Remove the taboo and a lot this falls apart on its own.

[@ArtSmosh1274]

Did they work to stop poverty.

[@theheadhunters806]

@@ArtSmosh1274 is that what's being discussed? Strawman argument man

[@IsThisRain]

If you're gonna decriminalise drugs, you need to tackle the poverty problem first. It's one thing to legalise drugs. It's another to legalise drugs to a population that is struggling economically.

[@maclennanld]

Well if there are less crimes to be charged with of course it will drop, they are placing their tumb on the scale. They are taking a different approach but it may not work or it may it has only been a few years, they still have a drug problem the Portugese just are not arresting for personal possesion

[@iceteafan56]

lol of course crime dropped, they just decriminalized drugs. Thats not an argument. The question is, if it makes the streets safer or not?

[@Taikamuna]

It's crazy what drugs can make people do

[@goosebarf2466]

Taikamuna I guess it’s crazier what money can make people do

[@albertorivera7937]

Don't forget what people make people do.

[@ev.c6]

Given a certain environment, all kinds of crazy things can happen. We are a product of our surroundings and we will adapt to survive in it. These torn apart places in central America are the results of negligent governments and America's intervention. Have you ever read about WWII? The human slaughter it was? That was the output of a mindset which input was pure hate.

[@chaterkanal]

Not drugs, it's the money 💵

[@mrmustangman]

@@chaterkanal [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°̲̅)̲̅$̲̅]

[@genesisadams6029]

As a Honduran myself it makes me so sad to see how my country has been destroyed 💔 it’s a place I once loved but would never go back.

[@abhi739]

honduras isnt ur country, ur fathers came from spain, u killed indengenous people and stole their land

[@davidb5205]

Legalizing cocaine in the USA is far more complicated than the comments suggest. Aside from political hurdles, there are two major issues. First of all, Portugal didn't simply decriminalize drugs; they actively treated it like a national health problem. They invested in the necessary infrastructure: police training to deal with addicts, rehab centers, hospitals stocked with heroin to prevent relapse, recovery programs, etc. America can barely agree on a universal healthcare system. Many Americans have little sympathy for drug addicts and would resent their tax dollars going to such programs. Second, (Legal Cocaine Industry + American Corporate Greed = Catastrophe). The Sackler family made billions by deliberately increasing Oxycontin dosages, misleading patients/consumers, and aggressively marketing their LEGAL drug. Big Tobacco execs like William Campbell targeted low-income neighborhoods for six decades to push cancerous cigarettes. Now imagine those like the Sackler family or a William Campbell in control of a drug far more powerful than Oxycontin or cigarettes. And with the lobbying power to prevent any serious governement regulation until it is too late and a crisis occurs. Cocaine is not like marijuana. It is far more dangerous and addictive. Before you even think about legalization like Portugal, America would need a serious institutional overhaul.

[@meh23p]

Great comment. I would only add that, from what I read, sympathy for drug addiction has improved in the last decade or so. Especially because drug addiction have made it to the rural poor communities where the addicts aren't people of color. The opioid crisis that you yourself mention and its response seem to indicate this as well.

[@Guizambaldi]

Very good point. Still, one needs to put everything into balance. An epidemy of cocaine users could still be better than the existing drug gang violence in the US and the much worse cartel violence in other countries. Still, it always amazes me how much corporate interests have power in America.

[@TerkanTyr]

A quality comment, on KZbin? Wow... Nice.

[@casaperaza5910]

Let the law of natural selection act. Legalize drugs if the weak ones want to consume cocaine, become addicted, O.D. and die let them. Its natures law.

[@danielul05]

PORTUGAL DID NOT DECRIMINALIZE DRUGS. It only decriminalized possession of quantities for less than 10 days of use. Can you idiots please stop using Portugal as an example for decriminalization?

[@shoulders-of-giants]

What I've learnt from this video is: The problem is actually the US's policies, meaning the ongoing Prohibition era.

[@FlOrHM]

Well duh

[@pepps779]

Not really, as there are plenty of other countries that take a much harsher policy perspective in relation to drugs and do not have the same issues, though they do often have different issues. This issue is a combination supply and demand being impossible to stop through current endeavors, geography allowing a narrow path to transport product to the US, and comparatively weak governments/institutions in the countries on that path.

[@zingerman11259]

Also dont forget mexico that provides safe haven to cartels so they cant be put out of business and also dont forget colombia and central america for not being able to stop these cartels themselves. Our demand and their inability to stop the flow is whats causing this

[@malacki6554]

Whenever there’s a significant demand for something, there will always be a supply. It’s basic economics.

[@blank1778]

Malacki 655 amen

[@alexbarnes9499]

Vox Atlas is by far the best series Vox does. Not one bad Atlas video yet. My only problem is that you guys dont make enough of them!

[@rohde007]

Amercians creating their own problems? (insert pikachu face here)

[@thewwmm25]

@Soturian Let's not forget about US intervention in central america

[@purplesundowns4445]

@Soturian america does create its problems. How about pharmaceuticals companies getting Americans addicted to legal drugs only to turn to illegal drugs. They pay doctors to over prescribe legal highly addictive drugs to Americans. That's a big reason we have this problem. The cartels just supply the demand here.

[@purplesundowns4445]

@Soturian thats the point there's no actual treatment for drug addiction. Rehab can help you mentally but not physically. Once you have it, its like cancer it will happen again and you will battle addiction your whole life. Buprenorphine is the only drug that can cure addiction but ironically its hard to get here.

[@jakehix8132]

It's just funny; if you are right, and America isn't, globally, the most altruistic nation, by miles, to ever exist... I guess, excusing the fact that 2 billion foreign lives are alive today because of pioneers in American agriculture, the internet, etc... you people are still insulting a nation of God fearing people that have the power to bring down worse hell on humans than we give our own God credits for. Just doesn't seem too smart. I mean, I hate Trump and most republicans (we do have sheep states, like Alabama), but seeing so much disregard for history, or your own self-interests, makes me not really hate the idea of world domination. What better way to show you America has helped improve your nation's quality of life more than your own people than by assimilate a world of States-In-Waiting under one flag?

[@karotakekashi4520]

@@jakehix8132 Never bring religion into it, that's one. "God-fearing people". America strongarming other countries or threatening to swallow other countries, either through submission and intimidation or by military invasion isn't exactly what a country should ever do. That's just extreme nationalism. America is NOT the best country in the world, it has its strong points and it has weakpoints. Get over it. I love my America but i'm not going to march around declaring it to be angelic or perfect by any standard. America has improved some countries, and it's brutally buttfucked others. Can't admit that?

[@xiaohuahu]

We need to surrender the War on Drugs and start doing things that are smarter, like harm reduction.

[@MGTOWPsyche]

The War on drugs is the problem that adds violence to the drug industry. DECRIMINALIZE all drugs and protect consumers and businesses producing and distributing all recreational drugs! We need to treat drug users as a health issue and not a criminal problem.

[@blackearl7891]

@@RandomHistoric Republican wanting to bomb everything in sight even if that doesn't solve a problem. Are you a caricature?

[@cassif19]

@@RandomHistoric A republican wanting to continue a war that has caused little good and a lot of bad juts to show how powerful and proud America is. Why am I not surprised?

[@matts3729]

@@RandomHistoric I assume you think alcohol prohibition will also be positive for our society? -A right-winger with a functioning brain

[@TheMedicatedArtist]

Xiaohua Hu The U.S. fixing the root of a problem. You should be a comedian.

[@AshishGupta-ql9lq]

hears kilogram *laughs in metric*

[@appleidinesh]

Bloody hell I love this channel. Thank you.

[@analu7972]

My poor country. Me dueles Honduras.

[@AW33406]

Stay in Honduras

[@jamesonpace726]

Morgan W Rees - oh great, "hope" as public policy. Hmm, maybe better 'n war on drugs after all. I hope so, too.

[@23chrisbomb]

France dude stfu

[@josecarlosmartin20]

Indeed, my poor country. It hurts to see people fleeing for their lives, or fleeing trying to escape poverty. The ones who remain face daily murder, theft and poverty -But life must go on, "It's just another day" -. Pray for our Honduras.

[@analu7972]

@@AW33406 I understand really, no one really wants inmigrants in teir country fleeing over like this. But you have to understand, 70% of the population in this country is poor, not just money but in education as well, they do not know better than what they've seen that has worked for some people. They also wouldn't do it if they really had something to loose but they have the same risks if they stay in Honduras. And the country can't do better. We have a corrupt president, no education and constant violence. Die here or die trying. It doesn't matter.

[@AlxandreNotavo]

LEGALIZE THE DRUG MARKET. TAX IT. WAR ON DRUGS WILL NEVER WORK.

[@revolutionarycomrade]

funny how the only one that makes sense is the one screaming into the void...

[@lewiszim]

You shouldn't completely legalize it either. Between the war on drugs and complete legalization, there is a happy middle ground. Hard drugs should be illegal, but drug enforcement should be incredibly lax. The money we use for drug enforcement should instead be used for treatment centers, outreach, counseling sessions, whatever is shown to actually help people. Drug addicts usually don't want to continue using drugs. They're chemically dependent. So let's use our resources to try and help them. The only way to solve the problem is to curb the demand.

[@pakpala1]

Bob Marley: Legalise It.

[@xaomioppo9620]

It won't work cos corrupt governments like that of Mexico, Honduras etc are involved or paid off. Once all these govts get off the hook and work closely together trust me it will end within a year

[@mikekeef2330]

still wouldn’t work because they would tax it to high and that’s where the black market comes in and makes it cheaper

[@lucianoradice5257]

Prohibition doesn't work, legalise drugs then tax them heavily, make a lot of campaign on their negative effects and buils re-hab centers, but at the end let the consumer decide. If some people want to ruin their health with drugs then let it be, stopping them is not worth this war on drugs. Also even with prohibition people can still access to drugs but worst quality at a higher price. Regulating the market can make it less harmful.

[@inigoro5177]

Let's try weed first. Then we will find out

[@yoholup19]

yashin mujib Portugal did it they are doing better

[@Wesleyminaker]

It’s also being fueled by the after effects of the Cold War (Nicaraguan civil war 1980-1989, El Salvador civil war 1979-1989, and the Guatemalan civil war 1960-1996) these left the people of the countries displaced and suffering from poverty, and the huge deportation law implemented by bill clinton when they took gang culture they had learned in LA and brought it back to Central America

[@Blackbirdxd]

finally they've grown some brain cells and started using metric system

[@ayandavilakazi3805]

I mean, it's not like drugs are normally measured in pounds...

[@Blackbirdxd]

@spim randsley Why would I waste my time with that, when fat burgers like you are the only ones still using that primal measurment system

[@philippbaranyai46]

@spim randsley You know what a simple conversion looks like? 100 centimetres being 1 metre. 1000 grammes being 1 kilogramme. 10 decilitres equalling 1 litre. Honestly i don't really want to be bothered making everything more complicated than it could be. Learning English was my step towards international media, what's the problem with those media catering a bit to their international audience in return?

[@philippbaranyai46]

@The1king15 it's not unless one way is clearly superior to the other.

[@dearyvettetn4489]

Blackbird are you really that bored that you don’t have something more important to be outraged about? Believe it or not we do learn the metric system in this country. Those of us in science and engineering use it more that the average American. We have to.. There’s not a lot that the average citizen here can do to persuade politicians to go metric and money is a great big HUGE f@cking reason why they won’t budge. Calling us out because we’re not on the metric system is like getting mad at fish because they can’t breathe air, because(surprise!) where they live ain’t no f@ckin’ body using that. Maybe we’ll get there one day, but not today. This video is proof that we have more pressing problems and as much as I’d love to grab my picket sign and head to the capitol to win one for the metric system, many of us have far more important things to do. Don’t you?

[@RUDEMusicUS]

Look up Gary Webb. This has been happening for decades.

[@ariefraiser140]

Listen to the video. That's no where near the point. The main point is the impact of various policies towards stopping cocaine has lead to a change in how it's distributed by the cartels and these changes are a direct drivers to the violence in central America which is fueling mass immigration to the US.

[@JudgeDredd_]

Arie Fraiser Gary Webb IS THE POINT.

[@BrustinNikolai]

@@ariefraiser140 read the comment. Not everyone knows who Gary webb is, and really explains why these policies were put into place

[@GmodForDays]

RIP Gary Webb executed by our government for exposing the truth

[@ariefraiser140]

@Michael Alber Of course you did.

[@alejandro_gumtz]

Almost 2020, and no sign of this mess ending anytime soon.

[@cloroxbleach7377]

Jorge Alejandro Guerrero it’s never going to end

[@KDH-br6hy]

@@cloroxbleach7377 it is

[@manueloctaviomartinez3173]

LOVE THE VID!

[@maverick9300]

What goes around, comes around.

[@PlagueRiddenBlightSpawn]

round round get around, I get around

[@StevenSanchezWelding]

NoCommentHere exactly

[@maverick9300]

Steven Sanchez no u

[@jorgetorres1462]

We produce the cocaine and you guys consume it. That's great.

[@CatatonicImperfect]

Also, you get violence, political instability and almost none of the proceeds. Poor people in the US get draconian prison sentences and politicians get elected by deceiving and scaring the electorate. Brown people get blamed for it all.

[@pappyodanial]

Not really. Cocaine was big in the 70's and 80's but not really anymore. I think South Americans and Mexcans use just as much if not more.

[@jorgetorres1462]

@@CatatonicImperfect that's true but don't think that every Latin American country is just like Mexico. Countrys like Chile, Costa Rica, Panama have made a lot changes to their economy's and politics. We have problems but at the same time we are changing and trying to advance so we can live in a better place.

[@ArtSmosh1274]

@@CatatonicImperfect What are brown people?

[@andydavis3075]

@@jorgetorres1462 I'd argue chile is an economic miracle

[@sylthe4th]

Great Video, thank you

[@harryschinas4028]

As long as there is a demand there will always be a supply

[@Lamchopz]

The United States’ drug problem is like a kid begging for candy and the parents buying the candy but scolds the candy store owner

[@allthingsfascinating]

Imo, we need to help people with their addiction and also create awareness so that people stay away from such substances. The root cause is demand. If the demand for drugs go down then things will get solved on their own. If the demand is there then cartels will keep finding new ways to ship their products.

[@JakoTheWacko]

Rather than shaming addicts and blaming them, we should try help them get over their problem

[@hectorvega621]

I proposed that we copy Switzerland. They did a good job in ending the Drug dilemma.

[@theworkethic]

@@hectorvega621 What are you talking about? What did they end? It’s also a joke that you compare a country with a population of that size and large single ethnicity to the USA. First off no country in the world has yet ended substance demand. None.

[@hectorvega621]

@@theworkethic You don't even know the makeup of Switzerland. Not to mention they've done a good job at handling the addict's. May not end the demand, but can end the huge loss of lives.

[@Septiccatgaming]

South Dakota be like: Cocaine, we’re on it

[@nordvpn1849]

5:01 perfectly placed F

[@MidwestBoxing4644]

You left out the part where our government was involved

[@johnmiranda2307]

Tymer TV - ssshhh. The CIA’s dirty little secret. Just ask Ollie North, Bill Clinton, and, well, you can’t ask HW anymore.

[@FakeAssHandsomeMcGee_]

Oh my America. Living in the now and forgetting about the future costs. National Debt: Spend now and worry about the consequences later. Drug Use: Use now and worry about the consequences later.

[@scientist_next_door]

Most justified title. I was thinking exactly this before 'actually' reading the title.

[@akarithefox]

I desperately need that opening music track!!! It is too 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@japhetawa2389]

Going Places - SERGEY KOLOSOV

[@RobbyRenaldhi]

The visual is amazing

[@deboi3588]

The USA shouldn't invest in military or police force. They should invest in education, because people that are aware of the risk aren't likely to take it. But still it has to say, that cocaine is a drug of the wealthy people. In Switzerland, where I live, the bankers are taking cocaine as hell. I think a good mix of education, restrictions and clinics would be the way.

[@handje1234]

Doctors also use illigal drugs during worktime over here in the Netherlands. Even people who work in rehab centers use illegal drugs when they party together. It's time to accept that moderate drug use isn't bad.

[@bluejaysfan965]

If america didn't invest in their military the who is going to protect the free world?

[@TAEYYO]

CHANGE THE VIDEO TITLE to: *America's **_War on Drugs_** fueled America's migrant crisis.*

[@ravemasterdbzwwe]

Vox and its viewers love to blame everyone but the actual drug dealers

[@TAEYYO]

​@@ravemasterdbzwwe It's less about blame, and more about understanding the effects of our actions. Let me clarify my previous comment: :America's _War on Drugs_ created a massive black market where disputes between those seeking to profit (i.e. Dealers / Cartels) can't be dealt with through the usual legal means (the courts) and are instead being settled with violence. Many people in places where this violence has become too much to bear, have chosen to migrate to the United States by any means necessary. This migration has in turn become a crisis in its own right.: Are the dealers to blame? Yes. And without the War on Drugs, they wouldn't exist.

[@ItsMe-ox8lm]

Thank you for this video, as an Honduran I see how violence and drugs are destroying our society right now. We try to educate people and we try to do our lives without violence, but we can’t compete against the money that drug cartels have. Even adolescents don’t want to study or get a decent job, because they just want the “easy money” that comes from drugs.

[@ardimasjunaedi3579]

Begitu menyeram kan nya

[@ggg148g]

The more we shift towards evidence based policies, on drugs, and on virtually any matter, the more we advance as society. We do it slowly, because we are humans, and it takes time to learn, if we ever do. As many people as possible should live long, healthy lives which are meaningful to them. This is the only self-evident truth. Everything else, needs to be based on trial and error.

[@laserbeam1787]

I kept lol’ing at the “cracked down” pun.

[@AetherSummers]

You had me until you told me that because I reached the end of a 6 minute KZbin video about coke that I am “a curious person who appreciates learning.” How very flattering.

[@FlamingoVlogs]

thanks for the intel vox

[@ThegamingZerii]

legalize drugs -> help establish legitimate business in Columbia -> problem solved. Now you can control quality to make the drugs a lot less dangerous, you can tax them to make a shitload of extra money and you have won the war against cartels. It's not that hard.

[@S23K]

Not only that, but treatment could be given more easily to those who become addicted, as well as reduce the incredible amount of violence both here and abroad.

[@two-face1041]

Zerii Cocaine is it like a pot it is way more dangerous

[@pocketokangaroo7303]

Zerii , Hmm 🤔 dunno ‘bout dat?

[@vivapr6136]

@@two-face1041 yeah but the point is the actual approach hasnt work so we need new ways to approach it

[@enfercesttout]

Yeah, but cartel wars are even more dangerous.

[@stratus10601]

THANK YOU VOX

[@alypixar4690]

Great video

[@marcpell133]

You don’t need an economics major to understand supply and demand.

[@MQHNATYTC8262]

Vox Atlas | S1 • E1 America’s cocaine habit fueled its migrant crisis Also Vox Atlas | S1 • E1 Why China is building islands in the South China Sea WTF Vox 😂 Edit: Thanks for all the likes! Let’s see whether we can get 1k likes!

[@GustavSvard]

Yeah, y'all done goofed with the series numbering Vox.

[@Vox]

Just KZbin things ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@aklaft]

@@Vox Supposed to be S1E1 of False Positive right?

[@therambler3713]

The guy responsible for the numbering is on cocaine

[@Jobe-13]

Ikr. They’re jumping all over the place.

[@MrAykut23]

Eye-opening, killer content 🔥

[@jleonardobp]

There are so many Hollywood movies glorifying cocaine...

[@kamalkhoury786]

Thank you @Vox

[@govols2214]

That music was badass

[@marc3524]

Xander Sanders do you know the intro song?

[@HVLLOWS1999]

"Oye, Tony call Pablo about the new chipment."

[@dflatt1783]

More like this please Vox.

[@MrChronicpayne]

Vox Atlas, never stop.

[@henrikswanstrom9218]

What can I say? If people want to party other people will help them find a way to party. War on drugs, what a joke. Just like all other wars all it does is cause damage.

[@Paretozen]

WHO IS WATCHING THIS WHILE HIGH ON COCAINE?? Not me!

[@waltertavora4299]

that video was released while i'm in the midle of Narcos: Mexico, awesome!

[@JBMONROETHEPRODUCER]

This Is crazy stuff!

[@elidennison9902]

Need to pick up a history book. The Chinese opium wars are identical to the problems today.

[@hakans9205]

eli dennison It has literally nothing to do with this situation

[@tombkings6279]

@@hakans9205 history repeats itself you know.

[@grad5257]

You should pick up a history book cuz its not at all like the opium wars

[@Chicagosurvivor]

@@grad5257 He's saying how the China banned opium because of negative impact which whites could care less when it ties into financial gain ,so the Britain backhanded and covertly distributed opium anyway and got them strung which was no mistake it was prepl anned as a chemical warfare only the chemical being drugs opium ,they are still in debt to Britain today so how is it now relevant ,,read a book about this,,but his point was genius if he had enough patience to break it down .

[@grad5257]

@@Chicagosurvivor sorry I can not agree with you. In one instance you have large gangs/ cartels illegaly carrying drugs from a country to another one. And in the example he laid out an empire which was in hard debt and couldnt trade under fair laws with at that time the largest global market, at first they did carry the opium to china but had to stop that, after the opium ban they started just selling it from the Raj. There are so many differences between the stories ur just saying cuz in both you have someobe selling illegal drugs between countries when its there is so much more to the stories

[@yin6287]

If the war on drugs never happend there will be no imigrants crisis at central america, no violence and deaths to other countries like Guatemala and Honduras. The US should make it a health problem like Portugal for the user

[@swanoto6314]

Not finished watching yet, but I want to just say this video is very well edited. The music is not distracting, the information is portrayed clearly and simply, and the visuals are entertaining without taking away from the content. Who edited this?

[@papi912]

Woow! I loveee your videos!!! How can I support you?

[@rubenstrating]

I can't feel my face man!!!!

[@KaiChenoz]

Legalise drugs, tax it, then offer free rehabilitation. Is this a good option?

[@davidacvs]

As a Mexican this is just sad. You can see how being next to the US has been both good and terribly bad for our people. We have a relatively strong economy and everything, but we can blame them for most of the violence we live. May I remember you fast and furious failed operation on 2010? :'(

[@leothelion2001]

Brilliant infographic

[@SunnySombreroo]

Thank you for addressing the general immigration problem and why it exists. And can we all just admit that money is a disease as much as it is a necessity?

[@girvanlyttleiii]

Cartels just follow the economic laws of supply and demand. Curb the demand by coming up with an alternative, safer substance that can be regulated here in the US and they're done. They're just businesses that the government decided to go to war with. The war on drugs should have been fought in the markets.

[@mrbananapsychooo]

Thank you. I wish there were more open minded people like you on this earth!

[@kungfoochicken08]

Then they'll just move on to another product. The cartels started out with cocaine, moved to Marijuana in the 1990s, and now they're moving towards heroine. Short of legalizing all drugs, there's no way to undercut their supply. The way to "put them out of business" is to increase their overhead expenses by overthrowing the governments they control. This will never be done because these same governments are in bed with the US government.

[@almodovardaniel101]

I wish this show had an app an brilliant too thank you vox

[@bradythehuman5835]

There was an unintended pun in here. Drug dudes carried cocaine on SPEED boats

[@akshat.jaiswal]

Hi vox i love u

[@Vox]

Thanks Akshat! We love you too✨

[@GDNachoo]

@@Vox I'm a 9 year old and I hate you

[@yoholup19]

Geometry Nacho because they tell the truth :)

[@richbroke9324]

I’m in love with the coco 🎱

[@eilifhjermannlindblad567]

I love how the speedboat is called the *go-fast boat*

[@marianaval663]

Reminder: The Medellin Cartel has decreased since Pablo’s death, just want to say that what you see in Narcos does NOT happen that often in Colombia now.

[@ianis2576]

4:59 lmao 'crack down'

[@edanisgreat5118]

That 'cracked me up'

[@kidatanakafan]

Just ship the cocaine to Canada then into the US

[@patdan123]

They will need to pass through significant ice to store the cocaine in a place where it can't be detected combined with there will be lots more radar and detection from two navies at once combined with wildlife

[@kidatanakafan]

@@patdan123 it was a trap xd

[@master_czech]

The first track is Serge Kolosov - Going places. I wish that Vox would have made this easier, it has taken me almost an hour to find it :)

[@art4freak795]

Interesting video

[@R41D]

solution... Make it legal, Produce and tax it from the government, increase punishments for breaking the law while under the influence... The war on drugs is a failure, Product and Tax it. problem solved

[@luigimafia10201]

No more "bad" guy

[@a-10wartaboo77]

Dont tell me your the type of guy wanting more gun control if your pushing this.

[@paulorocky]

Philip Eng Tax the guns then?

[@AndyPhu]

The simplest and most effective way to stop the violence and incarceration is to legalize, tax, and regulate all drugs. And educate on the safest ways to use,and the risks. And provide treatment centers for those addicted. It's simple as that. Edit: The drug war has always been rooted in racism, and it probably won't change anytime soon because war is profitable and the prison system in the US is basically for profit.

[@mrbananapsychooo]

Thank you. I wish there were more open minded people on this earth like you!

[@AndyPhu]

@@mrbananapsychooo me too

[@anacernezel4258]

Well thats all true but drug lords aren’t going to be happy as this wont make them that much money and when people are used to having millions(even billions) they will get them no matter what. So basically if we solve the drug problem, another one is going to pop up so those people can get their money again.

[@AndyPhu]

@@anacernezel4258 but we won't be incarcerating millions for non violent crimes. I say punish the criminals not the users. I mean it's so simple it's assinine that it's not legalized already. Just look at prohibition, it's what brought about the mafia. And when we aren't incarcerating people that shouldn't be imprisoned we also save tax dollars

[@VincentVonDudler]

@@anacernezel4258 Haha! "Keep drugs illegal so that cartel heads aren't forced into other areas of illegal business."

[@user-up5kh2mz4n]

This is so true omg!

[@tanman1986]

great job Christina Thornell and Sam Ellis. so well done. would be curious to know if you guys think it would be helpful to build a wall not on the US Southern border, but on the Mexican Southern border btwn it and Guatemala? do you think that would be enough to combat this problem or would other routes just pop up?

[@quitebad459]

Supply and demand. Remove the demand and the supply will stop.

[@revolutionarycomrade]

lol yeah people just quit doing coke all the time XD

[@quitebad459]

@@revolutionarycomrade maybe try educating young kids better and focus on reform instead of just throwing druggies in jail where they'll eventually get out and start doing drugs again.

[@calvincorn7985]

Tim Evans what the hell is wrong with you

[@quitebad459]

@Tim Evans can't tell if your being sarcastic or just plain insane

[@javierjp8549]

Where I live they intercepted near 50 tond, bu of hash(south Spain)

[@javierjp8549]

In a single warehouse

[@peliculasenespanol6812]

De Marruecos

[@javierjp8549]

@@peliculasenespanol6812 no jodas, no va a ser de Etiopía

[@queenofallmonkeys]

thanks for breaking down narcos mexico season 3 this quick.

[@strider029]

Ahh thanks to Narcos TV series it made me understand more about this topic.