Frontline Season 20 Episode 2 Target America

In season 20, episode 2 of Frontline, titled Target America, the focus is on the alarming increase of drug-related violence in Mexico and the impact it has on the United States. The show highlights how deeply intertwined the drug trade is between these two nations and how it has become a matter of national security for both.

The episode opens with a dramatic retelling of a shootout in the streets of Tijuana, Mexico, where drug cartels clash with the Mexican military. The gunfire and explosions set the scene for the rest of the episode, which delves into how the drug trade has become a violent and deadly business. Through interviews with experts, journalists, and government officials, Frontline paints a picture of a world where drugs are the driving force of the economy, and violence is a common means of enforcing control.

The show explores how drug cartels have spread their influence throughout Mexico over the past few decades, and how their power has grown to the point where they are essentially ruling certain areas of the country. They use their wealth to bribe government officials, law enforcement agencies, and even the military, effectively buying protection for their illegal activities.

The impact of this violence extends beyond Mexico's borders, and Frontline shows how it is affecting the United States. We see how drug trafficking has become a lucrative business, with billions of dollars in profits being made each year. And with the demand for drugs remaining high, the cartels have been able to expand their operations to the US, transporting drugs across the border and creating a massive black market.

The episode includes interviews with DEA agents, who talk about the challenges they face in trying to stop the flow of drugs across the border. They explain how drug cartels use a variety of tactics to evade detection, including tunnels, human smuggling, and even launching drug-filled drones across the border.

Another aspect of the show is how the drug trade has spawned levels of violence that are truly shocking. We see interviews with families who have lost loved ones to the drug war, and the trauma and devastation that they experience. The episode also details how cartels often use brutal tactics, including torture and beheadings, to intimidate and control those who oppose them.

Frontline concludes by stating that the problem has become so complex that there is no easy solution. Law enforcement agencies need to work together more effectively, and there needs to be better cooperation between the US and Mexican governments. The show also stresses that the root causes of drug addiction need to be addressed, and that treating drug addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one might be a more effective way of reducing the demand for drugs.

Overall, Target America is a riveting and eye-opening episode of Frontline that sheds light on a serious problem that affects both the US and Mexico. The show does an excellent job of exploring the complexities of the drug trade, and the violence that it breeds. It also raises important questions about how we can effectively address this issue and make our communities safer.