NarcoState: In Mexico’s Drug War, Organized Crime Governs and Controls the Territory Jose Gil Olmos - Proceso
go to original May 22, 2017

For the last three decades, starting with the administration of President Carlos Salinas [1988-94] to be exact, what is now known as the NarcoState began to emerge in Mexico.

In this form of government, organized crime and the authorities have fused together to become one in the same, resulting in the fatal consequences that we now suffer: journalists executed, thousands of deaths and disappearances, out-of-control violence, criminal governments, political parties who cover up their crimes, a participating society, sweeping impunity, and a president of the republic who is an accomplice whether by omission or direct participation.

First, beginning with the government of Salinas, this form of co-government started as a result of the former president’s brother Raúl Salinas, who was accused, specifically, of using the networks of Conasupo [National Company of Popular Subsistences, in charge of maintaining price controls on basic food items] to distribute drugs, although he was sent to jail for other crimes.

But before that presidency some symptoms of the overlap between authorities and drug trafficking were already evident; however, the first signs of the NarcoState were expressed during Salinas’ administration.

In three decades, the deterioration of the political class and corruption have been deeply embedded at even the highest levels. This has led to various accusations against 30 governors of different political parties, including: links to organized crime, acts of corruption, creating and covering up criminal networks, illicit business deals, and putting both diverted government resources and dirty money from various criminal organizations towards their own campaigns.

The cases of these officials clearly show that the NarcoState is already a reality.

Translated by Patricia Mitchell

Read the rest at Mexico Voices | Spanish original

Related: Mexico Drug War and Corrupt Governors Have Produced Ungovernable Zones (Mexico Voices)

Photo: Borderland Beat

Mexico Voices is a blogging endeavor aimed at raising the awareness of U.S. citizens regarding the destructive impact of the U.S. economic policy and the War on Drugs on Mexico - on its people, their economic and physical security and their human rights, on the nation’s dysfunctional justice system, and on the rule of law and Mexico’s fragile democracy. Visit the website at

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