Zavala, a professor at the City University of New York and former journalist, challenges the "official" history of violence in Mexico, arguing that the image of the all-powerful cartel is a political myth designed to justify state militarization and neoliberal economic interests.
Zavala’s primary argument is not that drug trafficking is absent, but that the concept of a "cartel"—as a monolithic, paramilitary organization capable of challenging the State—is a discursive fiction. Los Carteles No Existen Oswaldo Zavala Pdf Gratis
Zavala critiques how popular media (TV shows like Narcos , films like Sicario , and literature) reinforces these myths. This "narco-narrative" creates a caricature of the trafficker—often seen in flashy clothes—to hide the reality that those truly controlling the trade often look like international bankers. Zavala, a professor at the City University of
This is a summary of the core arguments and cultural impact of Oswaldo Zavala's provocative work, (translated into English as Drug Cartels Do Not Exist: Narcotrafficking in US and Mexican Culture ). Zavala argues that this violence was not a
He points out that under President Felipe Calderón, violence actually surged after the military was deployed. Zavala argues that this violence was not a "war between cartels," but often state-sponsored terror used to displace communities and clear land for private interests like mining and energy. Key Takeaways from the Book