‘The Mexican drug war is one of the bloodiest, if not the bloodiest, conflict in a modern, industrialized country’, ‘Crystal Meth are the Drugs of the Devil’ and ‘The Netherlands is a narco state.’ Just some statements by war photographer and cultural anthropologist Dr. Teun Voeten. He has traveled all over the world, and his focus for some time now is the dark world of drugs. Come and take this trip with him.
Teun Voeten, a war photographer since 1991, has extensively documented war and distress worldwide. His experiences range from living with homeless crack addicts in New York's underground tunnels to witnessing drug-related incidents in various locations and even being shot by child soldiers in Sierra Leone. As Voeten's focus shifted to drug-related issues, he particularly zoomed in on the Mexican drug war. He argues that drug violence is a form of hybrid warfare, akin to the conflict between radical Islam and the West. He explores the reasons behind senseless violence and the factors that turn individuals into brutal killers.
Voeten earned his doctorate in 2018 for his study on drug violence in Mexico. He later investigated the drug economy in Antwerp, one of the major ports for cocaine smuggling from Latin America. He traces the history of drugs in the Netherlands, highlighting its liberal climate, capitalist spirit, and blind eye to the underground drug industry, leading to its reputation as a narco state. He often advises governments on drug related issues and is a fellow of the Small Wars think tank. His recent investigations delve into the rise of Crystal Meth in the Netherlands, particularly in the province of Brabant.
If there’s one anthropologist who knows the world of drugs, it’s Teun Voeten. Enter his world.
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