This thesis conducts three case studies on drug trafficking organisations (DTOs) in Mexico, namely Los Zetas, Caballeros Templarios and Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación. The purpose of this study is to conduct an empirical test of to which extent the concepts DTOs, terrorism and insurgency correctly describe these DTOs. This leads to a discussion on the necessity and adequacy of using the term DTO for these organisations. Previous research has discussed the possibility of re-labelling DTOs in Mexico terrorist or insurgent but has only discussed DTOs in a general manner. This thesis fills a research gap by empirically testing how well these concepts describe three specific DTOs. This is done by using a comparative case study design with a structured focused comparison as an analytical tool. The theoretical framework is using the definition of the concepts DTO, terrorism and insurgency and applying these to the cases to determine how well they fit.
The analysis indicates that the effect DTOs have on society is like that of a terrorist or insurgent organisation. Despite usually lacking pronounced political or social goals, something commonly associated with terrorism and insurgency, there are important political and social dimensions of DTOs. It is thus difficult to renounce the connection to both terrorism and insurgency and to accept the label of organised crime which is how DTOs are normally conceptualised. The extent to which the three DTOs fit with the definitions of DTO, terrorism and insurgency varies, which indicates that perhaps they should not always routinely be conceptualised in the same way. Ultimately, the concept DTO is not comprehensively covering the important social and political impacts by DTOs, including undermining the democracy in Mexico.
Key words: Drug trafficking organisations, case study, conceptualisation, Mexico, terrorism, insurgency.