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.
In his seminal work , Oswaldo Zavala argues that the "drug cartels" we see in pop culture and news are actually a discursive myth created by the state to justify militarisation and political control. Where to Find and Read Los Carteles No Existen Oswaldo Zavala Pdf Gratis
He claims that the idea of cartels as independent empires that "overpower the state" is a fabrication. Instead, drug trafficking is often strictly controlled by official government institutions. Zavala critiques how popular media (TV shows like