Drug Cartels Do Not Exist: Narcotrafficking in US and Mexican Culture

Oswaldo Zavala's book "Drug Cartels Do Not Exist" challenges the conventional narrative of the so-called war on drugs by arguing that the real narcos are politicians, corporations, and the military. He suggests that works like "Sicario," "The Queen of the South," and "Narcos" hide Mexico's political realities and that Latin American writers like Charles Bowden and Roberto BolaÑo offer more accurate portrayals of the drug war. The book is intended for journalists, political scientists, philosophers, and writers who wish to break down the barriers created by those in power around the reality of the Mexican drug trade.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: Vanderbilt University Press

Through a comprehensive political and cultural analysis of representations of the so-called "war on drugs," Oswaldo Zavala compellingly argues that the very terms we use to describe drug traffickers are a deceptive facade masking the true nature of the narcos: politicians, corporations, and the military. While Donald Trump's inflammatory remarks and monstrous policies on the border expose the depraved character of a deeply flawed leader, state violence on both sides of the border has long been a prevalent reality in the neoliberal era. Immigration has remained a prominent news topic, but it has become an integral part of modern society in the neoliberal age. The future holds a grim prospect of exile, driven by state violence and the relentless plundering of our natural resources to satisfy the insatiable greed of capitalism.

However, the realities of violence in Mexico and along the border are often obscured by the books, films, and TV series we consume. Works such as "Sicario," "The Queen of the South," and "Narcos" present a distorted portrayal of Mexico's political realities. Alongside these examples, Zavala highlights the works of Charles Bowden, "2666" by Roberto Bolaño, and other significant Latin American writers as examples that accurately capture the harsh realities of the drug war.

"Drug Cartels Do Not Exist" is a valuable resource for journalists, political scientists, philosophers, and writers of all genres who seek to dismantle the artificial barriers constructed by those in power to obfuscate the true nature of the Mexican drug trade. By delving into the complexities of politics, culture, and power, this book offers a deeper understanding of the complex web of factors that contribute to the ongoing crisis. It serves as a call to action, urging us to challenge the narratives perpetuated by the media and political establishment and to seek a more truthful and empathetic perspective on the ongoing struggle in Mexico and beyond.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826504661