Trafficking Networks and the Mexican Drug War

Melissa Dell

American Economic Review, 2015, vol. 105, issue 6, 1738-79

Abstract: Drug trade-related violence has escalated dramatically in Mexico since 2007, and recent years have also witnessed large-scale efforts to combat trafficking, spearheaded by Mexico's conservative PAN party. This study examines the direct and spillover effects of Mexican policy toward the drug trade. Regression discontinuity estimates show that drug-related violence increases substantially after close elections of PAN mayors. Empirical evidence suggests that the violence reflects rival traffickers' attempts to usurp territories after crackdowns have weakened incumbent criminals. Moreover, the study uses a network model of trafficking routes to show that PAN victories divert drug traffic, increasing violence along alternative drug routes. (JEL D72, D85, K42, O17, Z13)

JEL-codes: D72 D85 K42 O17 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.20121637
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (187)

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