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.
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| 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 |
Publication edit
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]
Synopsis edit
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]
Critical reception edit
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]
References edit
- ^ "Mexican fiction turns drug kingpins into vicious vampires". CBC Radio. 5 June 2023.
- ^ Loudis, Jessica (2019-04-22). "In Mexico, 'The Cartels Do Not Exist': A Q&A With Oswaldo Zavala". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ "Oswaldo Zavala | | College of Staten Island Website". www.csi.cuny.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ a b c d ANÍBAL GÓMEZ, O. Drug Cartels Do Not Exist. Narco-Trafficking and Culture in the US and Mexico. Chasqui (01458973), [s. l.], v. 51, n. 2, p. R29–R31, 2022. Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=159559885&site=eds-live&scope=site . Acesso em: 6 jun. 2023.
- ^ Correa-Cabrera, Guadalupe (17 April 2023). "Perspective: The Myth of the Mexican 'Cartels'". Small Wars Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
