Support Guatemalan president's call for drug legalization

[namkha]

Do people fancy writing to Avaaz and asking them to take up this particular petition?

I hope this doesn't just get merged with all the other cannabis petitions, as this one is very worthwhile.

Support Guatemalan president's call for drug legalization

To be delivered to: Otto Perez Molina, President of Guatemala, Roxana Baldetti, Vice-President, Guatemala, Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President, Mexico, Juan Manuel Santos, President, Colombia, Ricardo Martinelli, President, Panama and 5 other targets

President Molina, we applaud and support your proposal for drug legalization in Central America and beyond.

Vice-President Roxana Baldetti, we support your efforts to promote this proposal to the Central-American leaders.

We fully support Guatemalan request to open a debate on drug legalization at the Sixth Summit of the Americas on April 14-15, 2012. President Obama, we urge you to not stall the courageous process initiated by Guatemala, and to allow a truthful debate to take place. We urge you to show the courage and vision to add your positive contribution to the debate.

President Calderon and President Santos, we urge you to throw the full support of Mexico and Colombia behind the Guatemalan proposal.

Presidents Martinelli of Panama, Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica, Funes of El Salvador, Lobo of Honduras, and Ortega of Nicaragua, we urge to add the support of your countries to the Proposal advanced by the Guatemalan Government.

Despite the enormous resources wasted on it, the War on Drugs has failed, bringing destruction and chaos all over the world, affecting particularly the Central American region, thanks to its position on the major transit route to the US. Prohibition is the worst possible form of control as it leaves control in the hands of powerful criminal organizations. The time has come to seek more realistic and pragmatic approaches, asking the simple but fundamental question: “Are organized societies capable and willing to manage and control psychoactive substances, instead of leaving it to organized crime?”

Global re-legalization under a multi-tiers “legalize, tax, control, prevent, treat and educate” regime with practical and efficient mechanisms to manage and minimize societal costs is the only realistic long-term solution to the issue of illegal drugs. Far from giving up and far from an endorsement, controlled legalization would be finally growing up; being realistic instead of being in denial; being in control instead of leaving control to the underworld. It would abolish the current regime of socialization of costs and privatization of profits to criminal enterprises, depriving them of their main source of income and making our world a safer place.

On Saturday February 11th, Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina declared that, following discussions with Colombian President Santos, he will present a proposal for drug legalization in Central America at the April 14-15 Summit of the Americas. Guatemalan Vice-President Roxana Baldetti will begin a tour of Central America to discuss the proposal with regional leaders and garner support for it, starting with Panama, Costa Rica and Salvador on February 29th. Unsurprisingly, the move was greeted by a quick rebuke from the US government.

President Molina’s initiative is unprecedented and marks the first time since the launching of the War on Drugs by Richard Nixon in 1971 that a foreign head of state actively challenges the US-led policies of drug prohibition and try to build a coalition against it. A former general of the Guatemalan army, President Molina has impeccable credentials to launch such a move: he was elected in November 2011 on a law-and-order platform, pledging to restore security to the country. Guatemala is on the major transit route from Colombia to the US and drug violence has exploded there over the past few years, turning this already impoverished and unstable country into one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

We all need to show our support to President Molina and his potential Latin American allies. We also need to put pressure on the Obama administration to ensure that it doesn’t stall Molina’s proposal, and that it allows a truthful debate to take place at the April 14-15 Summit of the Americas and beyond.

Edited February 29, 2012 by namkha

[namkha]

I forgot the link

Support Guatemalan president's call for drug legalization

http://signon.org/sign/support-guatemalan-president?source=c.tw&r_by=2751901

[namkha]

it's at 1502 now, aiming for 2000, and a lot of the people signing are Guatemalan, which is great

[hairy face]

it's at 1502 now, aiming for 2000, and a lot of the people signing are Guatemalan, which is great

Thanks for the reminder - I thought I'd already signed it but it turns out I hadn't.

[withnail]

Signed, where can you see the updated signature figures,I couldn't see them ?

[OLaC]

Signed and shared

[chickenlipsr4]

Signed and tweeted

[forest dog]

Signed, where can you see the updated signature figures,I couldn't see them ?

There down at the bottom of the page. Its at about 1790 now.

[ParbatiPurist]

Bump

I signed and shared on other forums and with friends a couple of days ago (hadn't seen it on here).

Even considered emailing it to a couple of my local councillors whom I have correspond with before about local issues. Sorry chickened out on that one!

They have now gone beyond 5000 signatures and are aiming for 7500.

The USA are already putting up heavy resistance to the proposals although their war has brought utter misery to these regions for decades. Shame on them as usual.

Read the article it is very intelligent and the petition is well worth supporting.

PP

[Mestizo]

Signed. Being El Salvadoran I hope Fuentes lends an ear.

[namkha]

Support Latin American leaders who want drug war alternatives!

https://secure2.convio.net/dpa/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=813&s_subsrc=Facebook

Latin American leaders are demanding a debate for alternatives to the war on drugs. Urge them to continue to lead drug policy reform efforts and resist the status quo.

Stand Up to the United States

Dear [Decision Maker],

I urge you to continue calling for a regional and global debate on the issue of legalizing and regulating marijuana and other drugs. This is one of the most important issues of our time -- and the world needs leaders like you. While the United States government will no doubt continue opposing reform of global drug policy, many U.S. citizens favor reform. In fact, recent polls show a little over half of U.S. voters favor legalizing and regulating marijuana like alcohol. 16 U.S. states have already legalized marijuana for medical use. 14 states have decriminalized possession of small amounts for personal use. It is simply hypocritical for the U.S. government to demand your country march lockstep with failed prohibitionist policies when it can't stop its own states from enacting reforms.

It is certainly not every day that I write foreign leaders, but I want you to know that the fate of not just your country, but the United States -- and the world -- is in your hands. Global drug prohibition empowers organized crime and terrorism. It fuels violence and corruption, puts civilians, law enforcement officers, and soldiers in harms way, and increases the harms associated with drug use. Even though the United States incarcerates more of its citizens, in both per capita and absolute terms, than any other nation in the world, our leaders are afraid to discuss alternatives to the war on drugs. By standing up and calling for an evidence-based debate on prohibition, legalization, and alternatives in between, you can force a much needed multi-lateral discussion about the best way to reduce the crime, death, disease, and suffering associated with both drug misuse and drug prohibition.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State ZIP]

[namkha]

End the drug war addiction

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_war_on_drugs_3/?cHZJVcb

Posted: 4 April 2012

They said it would never happen, but the US has publicly admitted that the war on drugs is a failure. Now, Latin American leaders are breaking off one by one and endorsing decriminalisation -- all leading up to a huge head of state summit in Colombia next week. This could be the best chance ever to finally end the violence and cost of the world's destructive drug policy.

This senseless war fuels crime, spikes drug addiction, costs billions and does nothing to reduce trade and addiction. In fact, countries that rejected US policy and embraced decriminalisation like Portugal and Switzerland have seen way better results than decades of the war on drugs.

The craziest part is that we're the reason politicians stubbornly cling to the drug war -- claiming that public opinion would turn against them if they promote rational regulations. Let's show them how wrong they are. Sign the petition calling for the end of the war on drugs and we'll deliver it directly to world leaders in Colombia!

The Heads of State of the Americas:

We call on you to end the War on Drugs and the prohibition regime, and move towards a system based on decriminalisation, regulation, public health and education. This 50 year old policy has failed, fuels violent organised crime, devastates lives and is costing billions. This Summit is an opportunity to initiate a humane and effective approach. We have no time to lose -- take action now!

[MekongBlues]

I'm not being confrontational here, just an honest question.

How many here signing this petition know the first thing about Guatemala, the problems it faces, and the potential effects on the society if drugs were suddenly legalised? Because IMO, if you don't, then you really have no business signing a petition about issues affecting a society you know nothing of.

Guatemala, like many other countries in the region, suffers many serious societal problems, some drug related, some not-but to naievely think that the legalisation of drugs will be a magic cure for all the regions woes is naive at best. In fact, such a power shift could cause all sorts of problems in itself.

MS13, the death squads killing street kids, the money in cocaine and associated deaths won't disappear overnight with change to drug policy. Some problems may even be wildly exacerbated:

SANTIAGO ATITLAN, Guatemala -- People here call it limpieza social , Spanish for "social cleansing." But the recent surge in armed abductions and murders by self-appointed anti-crime squads throughout Guatemala is leaving a messy trail of blood and tears.

Almost every night, teams of gunmen storm into the nation's poorest neighborhoods to seize another man, woman, or teenager deemed guilty of wrongdoing. Almost every morning, another corpse turns up showing signs of torture or strangulation.

Already this year, Guatemalan human rights monitors say, as many as 98 people in this nation of about 13 million are known to have been murdered by such groups, and 364 others have been killed by methods that suggest such groups could be responsible. Last year, nearly 3,000 murders similar to these took place, and officials predict the total this year could exceed that.

Often the targets are petty thieves or tattooed members of the fearsome gangs that have terrorized residents across Central America for the past decade. But just as often, they appear to be victims of mistaken identity, false accusations or petty personal feuds.

"That's the problem when people take matters into their own hands," said Mario Polanco, head of the Mutual Support Group, a victims' rights organization in Guatemala City. The anti-crime squads, he said, have "become so accustomed to killing of their own accord that when they have a personal enmity with someone in their neighborhood, they'll kill that person, too, and the country becomes more and more violent."

The murders have sounded a disturbing echo in a nation still haunted by memories of a brutal 36-year civil war. The conflict claimed 200,000 lives before ending with peace accords in 1996. Many victims were executed by government-backed death squads, and others were killed by anti-government guerrilla groups.

source

Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. In the first seven months of 2011, approximately 42 murders a week were reported in Guatemala City alone. While the vast majority of murders do not involve foreigners, the sheer volume of activity means that local officials, who are inexperienced and underpaid, are unable to cope with the problem. Rule of law is lacking as the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Well-armed criminals know there is little chance they will be caught or punished.

The number of violent crimes reported by U.S. citizens and other foreigners has remained high and incidents have included, but are not limited to, assault, theft, armed robbery, carjacking, rape, kidnapping, and murder, even in areas once considered safe such as zones 10, 14, and 15 in the capital. To decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim, do not display items of value, such as laptops, iPods, cameras, and jewelry and refrain from using a cellphone on the street. The Embassy discourages carrying large sums of money. Do not resist if you are being robbed. Victims have been killed when they resisted attack or refused to give up their money or other valuables. Assailants are often armed with guns and do not hesitate to use them if you resist.

Gangs are a growing concern in both Guatemala City and rural Guatemala. Gang members are often well armed with sophisticated weaponry and they sometimes use massive amounts of force. Emboldened armed robbers have attacked vehicles on main roads in broad daylight. Travel on rural roads increases the risk of being stopped by a criminal roadblock or ambush. Widespread narcotics and alien-smuggling activities make remote areas especially dangerous. However, there is no evidence that U.S. citizens are specifically targeted. Criminals look for every opportunity to attack, so all travelers should remain constantly vigilant.

There has also been a series of violent highway robberies along National Route #14 (RN-14) between Antigua and Escuintla, along National Route #4 (RN-4) on the south side and west shores of Lake Atitlán between San Lucas Tolimán and Chacala, and along National Route #11 (RN-11) on the east shore between San Lucas Tolimán and CA-1. Several tourists of various nationalities have been targeted along these routes in brazen daylight robberies. In some cases, tourist vans have been pulled over and passengers kidnapped, resulting in physical injury or sexual assault. One of these incidents occurred on CA-2 in Santa Rosa while the van was traveling from the El Salvador border to Antigua. Another incident occurred on CA-1 in Totonicapan as a private bus traveled from the Mexican border to Panajachel. At least two others occurred in 2009 on Route #11 near Patulul.

There have been "express" kidnappings in recent years, primarily in Guatemala City, in which kidnappers demand a relatively small ransom that they believe can be quickly gathered. U.S. citizens, including young children, have been kidnapped. Some kidnapping gangs are known to kill their victims whether or not the ransom is paid.

Violent armed robberies, including those committed during daylight hours, are becoming more common in all areas of the country. Persons carrying laptop computers and expensive cell phones are often targets. Areas that offer wi-fi computer services have been targeted. Several individuals have been killed and their laptops taken upon departure from these establishments after they were seen using their computers in public. Avoid carrying laptop cases or anything that resembles one, even if they do not contain laptops

^From the US FCO advice for US tourists. As that is just advice for visitors, you can imagine what it is like for locals.

from Wiki:

The high rate of murder has been blamed on "a highly powerful criminal cartel", made up of politically-connected retired military officers and linking with drug traffickers and other criminals. Following the end of Guatemalan Civil War in 1996, a general amnesty was granted "for even the worst crimes, leaving no one accountable".[3] The Guatemalan "security apparatus death squads, intelligence units, police officers, military counter-insurgency forces did not disappear but, rather, mutated into criminal organizations," and now are engaged "in arms trafficking, money laundering, extortion, human smuggling, black-market adoptions, and kidnapping for ransom," and drug trade.[3]

Some high profile murders revealed or suspected to be the work of the cartel include that of Catholic Bishop Juan José Gerardi Conedera, beaten to death in 1998, two days after the conclusion of an inquiry he had led into the violence of the civil war.[4] The inquiry had blamed the Guatemalan army for 90% of the war's 200,000 killings.[4] Gerardi also found links between the military and the illegal drug trade in Guatemala, providing an additional motivation.[4] In 1997 a large group of active military figures, including the deputy Minister of Defense, were found to be involved with the Colombian Cali cartel's smuggling efforts.[4]

Seriously, Guatemala is a fucked up place with huge issues to overcome and the introduction of a legalise drugs campaign may be premature and dangerous in an already unstable place.

An excellent documentary on the death squads from the most underrated series on British TV, Unreported World:

Edited April 8, 2012 by MekongBlues

[namkha]

Guatemala, like many other countries in the region, suffers many serious societal problems, some drug related, some not-but to naievely think that the legalisation of drugs will be a magic cure for all the regions woes is naive at best.

Straw Man!

...again!

you're sounding like Bill Bennett with a bad hangover

In fact, such a power shift could cause all sorts of problems in itself.

care to substantiate that?

and to explain and expand on how any of the other issues you mentioned are going to be exacerbated by it... ?

Seriously, Guatemala is a fucked up place with huge issues to overcome and the introduction of a legalise drugs campaign may be premature and dangerous in an already unstable place.

how? and why?

[MekongBlues]

I'm not the one calling for legalisation, why don't you answer how exactly the regional situation will improve with drug legalisation, seeing as you're all for it?

So, all drugs are legalised, then what? What would your transitional policies from illegal to legal trade be, who would supply and distribute the newly legal drugs, who would produce them? Would you negotiate with the cartels? And what of the rival cartels?

If you fail to see how interfering in a complex, volatile situation and upsetting the balance of power in the multi-billion dollar drugs trade may cause violent repercussions then you are more naive than I thought.

As but one example: The police and armies of these countries are closely interlinked with the drug cartels, a massive schism such as legalisation could cause coups, political unrest and armed conflicts, as the drugs trade has many times in the past.

As another: If one or two countries in the region legalised drugs you can be sure the cartels would be right there exploiting them and fucking them up even worse than they are now... The only way it could possibly even begin to work would be region wide legalisation.

Legalisation will not bring any form of peace or stability to the region in the short term, in fact quite the opposite. There are too many vested interests and too much money at stake for it to ever be so, except in the ideal world you appear to inhabit. Make no mistake, many, many people will have to die to get drugs legalised in Central and South America.

You've accused me many times of straw man sentiments, I think you are extremely blinkered and biased, unopen to alternative opinion which challenges your idealistic notions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBRXZNuK3Jo

Edited April 8, 2012 by MekongBlues