Policing Advance Access originally published online on August 7, 2009
Policing 2009 3(3):245-254; doi:10.1093/police/pap024
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Real and Imagined Extremist Threats in Mexico and along the U.S.–Mexico Border: ‘Colombianization’ as an Antidote to Leftist and Criminal Extremist Networks
* Patricia Olney, Associate Professor, Political Science Department, Southern Connecticut State University, USA. E-mail: Olneyp1{at}southemct.edu
The term ‘Colombianization’ conjures up images of such extreme corruption, violence and mayhem that it has always been Mexico's worst nightmare to have it applied to the country. However, given Colombia's extraordinary accomplishments in its battle against its main extremist threat, this article argues that ‘Colombianization’ is now associated with hope and successful strategies to reduce extremist violence and increase the effectiveness of the state. It advocates recognizing that Mexico, like Colombia, faces leftist extremist threats that, while weak, have the potential to be dangerous if they should become networked with other groups or obtain drug resources. Worries about right-wing extremism at the U.S.–Mexico border, and the fear of strong police due to memories of the Dirty War have been counterproductive. It recommends incorporating local level strategies into the Merida Initiative that combine experiments used successfully in both Colombia and Mexico. The FICLAR strategy stands for Fast, Integrated, Counterinsurgency-centric, Law-based, Alternative development-focused and requiring the Re-establishment of elite consensus.