This thesis analyzes the collective identity and narratives surrounding the culture of the drug cartels, or narcocultura in Mexico. It questions whether the visible cultural artifacts of the drug cartels reflect a cultural identity or if they create an identity that threatens Mexican national security. The analysis establishes that narcocultura is a relevant framework to study Mexican transnational organized crime. The thesis utilizes cultural studies to illuminate the development of narcocultura in Mexico. In addition, the study looks at past and present methods that the Mexican federal government uses to prevent the spread of narcocultura. Ultimately, the previous theories applied to narcocultura reveal essential vulnerabilities that the Mexican government can exploit against the drug cartels.
