Drug Cartels Do Not Exist

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]