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This is a blog written by one of my friends from Argentina. In this particular blog Aniko Villalba is funded by an Argentinean travel company to document her experiences in Guatemala. She is a well trained journalist and her colorful descriptions of everyday life in the places she visits are unmatched.

The United States Department of State summarizes the international recognition of the problem of narcotics trafficking. In the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report Argentina has become the transit for cocaine and heroin being produced in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. Although Argentina itself is not a large producer of narcotics it has advanced chemical production facilities that produce the precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs. Since 2005, there has been an increase in seizures, by the Argentinean government, of heroin, coca leaf, chemicals for cocaine production and a drop in marijuana seizures. Political turmoil is brewing at the border of Brazil and Argentina, which threatens the efforts of the international community to combat narcotics trafficking. In addition to the conflict, Argentina is fighting corruption within their government, which enables the large drug cartels mobility to avoid investigation by law enforcement officials.

I read this article a few months ago in the Times and found it to be an interesting look into the lives of what some may call a branch of Latin American counter-culture. One of the reasons this article caught my attention is because of the normalcy of Cumbio. She seems like an ordinary person whose only claim to fame is her photos.