Includes bibliographical references (pages 315-339) and index.
Contents:
The Zetas' origins -- The Zetas' war -- A transnational criminal corporation -- Paramilitarization of organized crime and a "war on drugs" -- The new paramilitarism in Mexico -- Mexico's modern civil war -- The Zetas' war and Mexico's energy sector -- Energy and security in Tamaulipas, ground zero for the Zetas -- Who benefits from the Zetas' war? -- Conclusion. Four successful business models in an era of modern civil wars -- Appendix I. Energy reform and the Zetas' expansion (timeline) -- Appendix II. History of organized crime in Tamaulipas : timeline of key events -- Appendix III. Criminal paramilitaries and natural resources in Mexico (map) -- Appendix IV. El Disfraz de la Guerra (the war's disguise) : communique by residents of La Riberena -- Appendix V. Organizational charts : constellis holdings, LLC and Los Zetas Inc -- Appendix VI. Areas of dominant influence of major TCOs in Mexico, 2015.
Summary:
The rapid growth of organized crime in Mexico and the government's response to it have driven an unprecedented rise in violence and impelled major structural economic changes, including the recent passage of energy reform. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera asserts that these phenomena are a direct and intended result of the emergence of the brutal Zetas criminal organization. Going beyond previous studies of the group as a drug trafficking organization, she builds a convincing case that the Zetas and similar organizations effectively constitute transnational corporations with business practices that include the trafficking of crude oil, natural gas, and gasoline; migrant and weapons smuggling; kidnapping for ransom; and video and music piracy. Combining vivid interview commentary with in-depth analysis of organized crime as a transnational and corporate phenomenon, she proposes a new theoretical framework for understanding the emerging face, new structure, and economic implications of organized crime in Mexico. She delineates the Zetas establishment, structure, and forms of operation, along with the reactions to this new model of criminality by the state and other lawbreaking, foreign, and corporate actors. Arguing that the elevated level of violence between the Zetas and the Mexican state resembles a civil war, she identifies the beneficiaries of this war, including arms-producing companies, the international banking system, the US border economy, the US border security/military-industrial complex, and corporate capital, especially international oil and gas companies.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.