It has been insisted for some time that the truest and most effective way to combat drug trafficking is to legalize drugs, an extreme solution, but according to the promoters, the only one with prospects of success. Mario Vargas Llosa is one of those who are convinced that the legalization of drugs is the way to the problem of drug trafficking, arguing that states are unable to compete with those dedicated to one of the most lucrative businesses in history, with all the ability to spend and squander insane sums and so ensure control over individual cities or regions. The Peruvian writer also argues that it is counterproductive to increase the forces of order and their response, since the drug trade ends up multiplying the spiral of violence with all the drama it implies.

Peace as a task

He also points out that drug traffickers are winning the war everywhere and that the illegal drug business has grown exponentially across the planet due to increasing consumption, especially of cocaine, going so far as to warn that the drug trade will continue to win the war as long as states want to destroy it. Vargas Llosa’s vision is shared not only by renowned contemporary thinkers, but also by important public health publications that point out that the illegalization of drugs has failed to stop their consumption, which is increasing day by day. To have a comprehensive dimension of the problem, it is necessary to mention that the number of drug users increases from 40 to 50 million every year despite the war on drug trafficking.

What must not be broken

However, as noted by Brian Winter, the possibility of drug legalization remains a distant option for a number of reasons, among which the majority of public opinion, especially in Latin America, is against the option, which makes the ruler’s job very difficult. sets the platform of legalization as a real alternative in the fight against drug trafficking. However, to be more objective, we must accept that the arguments in favor of drug legalization are simply siren songs, until the countries of the first world agree to rethink certain basic aspects of the fight against drug trafficking, because as soon as a country in the region, for example, tired of so much violence, decides to legalize the drug trade, it will become an outcast state with all the implications that such a situation carries.

Accordingly, it is possible to argue that it is essential that states comprehensively fight against drug gangs, recognizing their own weakness and the limitations they have in this fight. But there are ways and means, which emphasize the need for governments to regain control of prisons (a concrete option) and to continue the influence of drug gangs in the politics of countries (also a viable option). The rest is open to speculation and interpretation, but it must be clear that since drug legalization is a widespread option for now, there is no alternative but to confront the drug trade with intelligence and efficiency. That if you can. (OR)