Abstract

MONTERO MONEADA, Luis Alexander; ABRIL PEREZ, Liana  and  HERRERA, Ángela. FROM ZETAS TO MARAS: THOUGHTS OF MAFIA AND ORGANIZED CRIME IN LATIN AMERICA. rev.relac.int.estrateg.segur. [online]. 2013, vol.8, n.1, pp.327-346. ISSN 1909-3063.

This paper aims to propose a theoretical definition of the so-called groups Zetas and Maras, as gangs or organized crime groups, susceptible to be featured as new insurgencies. For that purpose, it is resorted to theoretical elements that have been used to portray different mafias, i.e. the Sicilian Mafia, and then a comparative analysis is made of risks and threats posed by these two groups from an asymmetric perspective. All in all, a conclusion is reached that Mexican Zetas have more theoretical elements to be defined as a Mafia, unlike Maras, which must be called a crime organization. Anyway, both Zetas, because of their special power to commit crimes, and Maras, by being non-territorial and by their social characteristics, should be taken into account as regional asymmetric threats.

Keywords : Mafia; Organized Crime; private violence; drug trafficking; asymmetric threat.

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