The Colombi Colombi Illegal Pet Trade

Many people have some level of knowledge regarding Colombia’s reputation for drug cartels and illegal drug trade activity, but something most people don’t realize is that there are other illegal trades happening in Colombia, one of them being the illegal acquisition and exportation of the pygmy marmoset. The pygmy marmoset is known best for being the smallest true monkey in the world, which is true, but there are apes which are slightly smaller. Pygmy marmosets are not currently endangered, however, the illegal pet trade is among the top risk factors which they face, which could lead to them being endangered. In the wild, pygmy marmosets can live for up to twelve years, and have been known to live up to eighteen years in captivity, but since most people who choose to own a marmoset don’t understand their needs, they cannot properly care for them.
Colombia is a country with a relatively unstable government, which can be attributed to rampant corruption, revolutionary groups, and the concentration of criminal activity centered around illegal drug trade.
The drug trade is the largest illicit trade in the world, followed by the weapons trade, and this is no different for Colombia. Third on the list of largest global illicit trades is the illegal pet trade, and in Colombia, it is the fourth largest, after drug, weapon, and human trafficking. Colombia, as most know, is notorious for its role in the production and distribution of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. The drug trade in Colombia has had an adverse effect on Colombian economy, in addition to the social and political ramifications,the pet trade has had a similar effect, yet with smaller consequences due to the smaller nature of the trade. While the pet trade has a negative effect on the people of Colombia, it also has an adverse effect on the wildlife of Colombia, which is due to the unprofessional nature of the
poaching. In many trafficking rings, they will hire common people to go out and capture the animals for a small sum of money. Generally everyone can agree about the debilitating nature of the drug trade, and likewise the illegal pet trade, and there are few feasible solutions to these problems. One potential way to solve this is a hostile takeover of Colombia by the USA. It does seem drastic, however, Colombia is a very biodiverse country which should be in the hands of a country who could better conserve the native plants and animals. Not only would the native flora and fauna be better protected, but the drug trade would be more easily combated, as production and distribution would both be centered in one country. This allows for a more concentrated attack without the international red tape and trans-continental issues.
To summarize, pygmy marmosets are not endangered, but are in danger, and a hostile takeover of Colombia would most likely put all the wildlife in danger for a short period of time, it would result in more protection for them later, and it would also allow us to better combat the illegal trade of both drugs, and animals.