Political Corruption and Narcotrafficking in Mexico

In recent years Mexico has been the headlines of the news of drug-related violence. The power of the gangs challenges the army and the police, killing and torture political leaders, policemen, soldiers and civilians. They seem to be unbeatable. However, they could not have prospered, without the conditions of the political corruption of the country. This article analyses the development of political corruption and drug trafficking in Mexico. Firstly, it analyzes the role of the corruption during the post-revolutionary political system headed by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Secondly, it studies the arrival in power of the technocrats and their relationship with drug traffickers. Then, it evaluates briefly the political transition thought the defeat of the PRI in July 2000 by the National Action Party (PAN). Finally, it examines the flourishing of narcoindustry in Mexico, the militarization, the rise of the violence and its social consequences for the population.