We were pleased to chat with Dr. Angelica Duran-Martinez. She is the Associate Professor and the Director of Global Studies Ph.D. Program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Her research focuses on the intersection between the State and Criminal organizations that foster increases in drug-fueled violence in countries like Colombia, and Mexico.
She joined us today to discuss her book The Politics of Drug violence. An academic perspective on the history of the drug trade in Colombia and Mexico, through the lens of criminal and violent acts that ultimately impact the most vulnerable communities. The book advances a theory that helps us understand and measure the effects of interactions between the state and criminal organizations, and the dynamics within these criminal groups such as the often brutal market disputes, that lead to increases in the frequency and brutality of these acts. The book is the result of 15 months of field work in both countries, and a very insightful and valuable read for those that want to gain a better understanding on the history of the drug trade in Latin America, and the effectiveness and flaws of state policy.