The art of trafficking : how politics shape narco-strategies and violence in Central America / Laura R. Blume.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Blume, Laura R., author.

Series:

Oxford scholarship online.

Oxford scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Drug traffic--Central America.

Drug traffic.

Drug traffic--Prevention--Government policy--United States.

Drug traffic--Prevention--Government policy--Central America.

Drug traffic--Political aspects--Central America.

Physical Description:

1 online resource : illustrations.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2025]

Summary:

How and why do drug traffickers adapt their operational strategies based on political and community dynamics, and, in turn, how do these different narco-strategies impact violence? This study draws on several years of immersive, ethnographic fieldwork in drug trafficking hotspots along the Caribbean coast of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. In addition to extensive use of participant observation methods, the author has conducted 300 informal interviews, more than 75 of which were with participants in the illegal narcotics trade. The book presents a theory of how corruption and political competition determine traffickers' main strategies, as well as how traffickers may cultivate local community support, especially in their native communities. It then elaborates on how these various narco-strategies and differences in community support influence traffickers use of violence. The author makes a strong case for urgent policy changes.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource and publisher information; title from PDF title page (viewed on October 10, 2025).

ISBN:

0-19-781820-X

0-19-781822-6

9780197818206

OCLC:

1544852232