Abstract

SANDOVAL, Efrén. Fayuca Economy and Drug Trafficking in Northeastern Mexico: Extortion, Collusion and Solidarity in Border Economies. Desacatos [online]. 2012, n.38, pp.43-60. ISSN 2448-5144.

The article focuses on the intersection of two forms of organization that aim to make certain goods to cross the international border between Mexico and the United States: drug trafficking and fayuca trade. What promotes the inclusion of the drug cartels in the fayuca trade? The answer lies in the logical organization of both businesses, as defined by the presence of an international border and historically based in the extortion, constraint, social networks, exchange of services and certain levels of violence. We analyze how the cartels are now involved in the fayuca trade to the south of the border, and we consider how traders, officials and union leaders now coexist with social actors who previously operated separately.

Keywords : economy; drug trafficking; border; fayuca; extortion.