Author | Oswaldo Zavala |
---|---|
Original title | Los cárteles no existen. Narcotráfico y cultura en México |
Translator | William Savinar |
Subjects | Mexican drug war, Military–industrial complex |
Genre | Non-fiction |
Publisher | Vanderbilt University Press |
Publication date | May 15 2022 |
Pages | 193 |
ISBN | 978-0826504678 |
Drug Cartels Do Not Exist: Narcotrafficking in US and Mexican Culture is a 2022 non-fiction book by Oswaldo Zavala. The book rejects the cartel label commonly given to those working in the Mexican narcotics trade.
The book was written by Oswaldo Zavala, a Mexican journalist and a professor of Latin American Literature and Culture at the City University of New York. [1] [2]
In 2018, the book was published in Barcelona by Malpaso as Los cárteles no existen. Narcotráfico y cultura en México. [3]
In 2022, it was translated by William Savinar as Drug Cartels Do Not Exist. [4]
The 193-page English language version was published by Vanderbilt University Press. [4]
In the book, Zavala argues that participants in the Mexican narcotics trade have been labeled as cartel operators to cast them in a violent and organized perspective, to justify a militarised response by Mexican and U.S. authorities. Zavala points out that drug traders do not meet the definition of a cartel, as the rival criminal enterprises compete against each other in a competitive marketplace. He argues that groups also do not have the hierarchal structure or significant level of power that a cartel would hold. [5] Zavala blames the government of Mexico for the incorrect use of the cartel label and that the term has become ubiquitous in journalism, literature, and academia. He calls for a critical examination of the use of the word cartel and reflection on how using the word helps perpetuate the perception that the drug trade in Mexico is a war and a crisis that warrants a military response. [4]
Osiris Aníbal Gómez of the University of Minnesota described the book as "a defiant investigation", "a rigorous research effort" and "an act of hope." [4]
Author | Oswaldo Zavala |
---|---|
Original title | Los cárteles no existen. Narcotráfico y cultura en México |
Translator | William Savinar |
Subjects | Mexican drug war, Military–industrial complex |
Genre | Non-fiction |
Publisher | Vanderbilt University Press |
Publication date | May 15 2022 |
Pages | 193 |
ISBN | 978-0826504678 |
Drug Cartels Do Not Exist: Narcotrafficking in US and Mexican Culture is a 2022 non-fiction book by Oswaldo Zavala. The book rejects the cartel label commonly given to those working in the Mexican narcotics trade.
The book was written by Oswaldo Zavala, a Mexican journalist and a professor of Latin American Literature and Culture at the City University of New York. [1] [2]
In 2018, the book was published in Barcelona by Malpaso as Los cárteles no existen. Narcotráfico y cultura en México. [3]
In 2022, it was translated by William Savinar as Drug Cartels Do Not Exist. [4]
The 193-page English language version was published by Vanderbilt University Press. [4]
In the book, Zavala argues that participants in the Mexican narcotics trade have been labeled as cartel operators to cast them in a violent and organized perspective, to justify a militarised response by Mexican and U.S. authorities. Zavala points out that drug traders do not meet the definition of a cartel, as the rival criminal enterprises compete against each other in a competitive marketplace. He argues that groups also do not have the hierarchal structure or significant level of power that a cartel would hold. [5] Zavala blames the government of Mexico for the incorrect use of the cartel label and that the term has become ubiquitous in journalism, literature, and academia. He calls for a critical examination of the use of the word cartel and reflection on how using the word helps perpetuate the perception that the drug trade in Mexico is a war and a crisis that warrants a military response. [4]
Osiris Aníbal Gómez of the University of Minnesota described the book as "a defiant investigation", "a rigorous research effort" and "an act of hope." [4]