Colombia Internacional ISSN: 0121-5612
[email protected] Universidad de Los Andes Colombia Snyder, Richard; Durán Martínez, Angélica Drugs, Violence, and State-Sponsored Protection Rackets in Mexico and Colombia Colombia Internacional, núm. 70, julio-diciembre, 2009, pp. 61-91 Universidad de Los Andes Bogotá, D.C., Colombia Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=81215371004 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Colombia Internacional 70, julio a diciembre de 2009: 61-91 Drugs, Violence, and State-Sponsored Protection Rackets in Mexico and Colombia Richard Snyder • Angélica Durán Martínez Brown University Abstract Illegality does not necessarily breed violence. The relationship between illicit markets and violence depends on institutions of protection. When state-sponsored protection rackets form, illicit markets can be peaceful. Conversely, the breakdown of state-sponsored protection rackets, which may result from well-meaning policy reforms intended to reduce corruption and improve law enforcement, can lead to violence. The cases of drug trafficking in contemporary Mexico and Colombia show how a focus on the emergence and breakdown of state-sponsored protection rackets helps explain variation in levels of violence both within and across illicit markets. Keywords protection rackets • drugs • violence • Mexico • Colombia Drogas, violencia y redes extorsivas con apoyo del Estado en México y Colombia Resumen La ilegalidad no necesariamente engendra violencia. La relación entre mercados ilícitos y violencia depende de la existencia de instituciones de protección.