Repeated History

It has been said that it is important to learn and know the history of the world to make sure we the people do not repeat it. However, after reading chapter nine from “Born in Blood & Fire” by John Charles Chasteen and watching Univision it is clear that history is repeating itself. There may be a only a 40 year time frame difference and a different location but very similar acts were happening in Colombia in 1970s that are happening in Mexico currently.

In the 1940’s Colombia was suffering from social and economic conflicts which led to extreme violence and fear in many Colombians due to trifling crimes. This time period was known as La Violencia which lasted for about a decade. However, as time proceeded things did not get any better.  As it states in the book by late 1970’s, Colombia had set the world record for being the highest rate of violent death without being in war. A main cause of this tragedy was as a result of drug trafficking from one of the most powerful and richest man in the world, Pablo Escobar. He created a vast mafia empire to smuggle marijuana and cocaine to United States, at one point he controlled 80% of cocaine export to the U.S. and had a higher quality of marijuana than most countries. He called his empire the “Medellin Cartel” and they killed, kidnapped, abducted, and threaten many civilians. In 1991, Escobar had finally surrendered due to the fact he didn't want to be extradited.  However, he was still controlling his business through jail and had escaped on the run forever as he though. In 1993, he was finally traced, called, and killed while he tried to escape.

It seems so crazy how one person can control such a powerful empire that controlled a whole country. It is even crazier how drugs can profit so much money. Which make sense why someone would want to mimic Pablo because who doesn't want to be rich and powerful? Indeed many try and in fact one man actually is currently pulling it off.  His is known as “El Chapo” but his real name is Joaquin Guzman Lorea.  He is the head of the Sinaloa cartel and the most powerful man in Mexico right now. He also escaped jail and we still are unsure about his whereabouts.  His cartel and he would do anything for their money and drugs as in killing innocent civilians and cutting heads off throwing them in the streets to input fear in the people.

Due to many tragic terrifying homicides in Mexico, many tourists are scared to visit and many family members are scared to visit their families which soon will hurt the economy of Mexico and will soon be like a replica of Colombia in the 1970’s. I had went this past summer to visit my family and everything was so different from five years ago when I had last visited. We couldn't stayed out that late nor travel to a nearby town alone anymore. For me it was a place of freedom and my favorite vacation spot from all the laws and crimes in Chicago. Now it is a place where I rather not go.  Overall, I just believed that we the people should not allow history to repeat itself knowing all the things that can prevent it but it still happens. We see a perfect example of repeated history with two different men from to different countries and different time periods doing the same thing . To end this blog, I want to end with a quote by Clarence Darrow:“History repeats itself, and that’s one of the things that’s wrong about history.”


For more info on their horrible scheme visit:
http://www.biography.com/people/pablo-escobar-9542497
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/joaquin-el-chapo-guzman-loera