{{Refimprove, date=May 2007
Narcotráfico is the Spanish term for "
drug traffic
The illegal drug trade or drug trafficking is a global black market dedicated to the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of drug prohibition, prohibited drugs. Most jurisdictions prohibitionism, prohibit trade, except under license, ...
", although it carries several nuances of meaning that are not always found in the English equivalent. This is due to the status that drug dealers and drug cartel chiefs enjoy in some Spanish-speaking countries, where an entire culture has been developed around the business.
''Narcotraficantes'' often enjoy a high status in several Latin American countries, where they are sometimes seen as powerful and influential people who have exotic lifestyles and lead exciting lives, defying authorities while smuggling drugs to the United States. ''Narcotraficantes'' are seen as pseudo-heroes and as criminals at the same time, glorified by some people and persecuted by the government. As a result of this prestige, ''narcotráfico'' has developed a rich and complex culture, with songs and quasi-religious imagery and rituals. In the past months, Roberto Carrillo composed the song of "Pancho Narco", a famous song in the Republic of Mexico.
This is not something peculiar to Latin America, it is common in many impoverished areas of the world, including poor US cities. It resembles, as well, the status given to
moonshine
Moonshine is high-proof liquor that is usually produced illegally. The name was derived from a tradition of creating the alcohol during the nighttime, thereby avoiding detection. In the first decades of the 21st century, commercial dist ...
rs during
Prohibition. The movie ''
Traffic'' explores both sides of this. The drug dealers, on the US as well as the Mexican side of the border, are both vilified and admired.
In
Mexico,
narcocorridos
A narcocorrido (, "narco-corrido" or ''drug ballad'') is a subgenre of the Regional Mexican corrido (narrative ballad) genre, from which several other genres have evolved. This type of music is heard and produced on both sides of the Mexicoâ ...
are popular songs along the border with the US and celebrate the illegal activities of smugglers and dealers. In
Colombia
Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...
, two movies detail the world of narcotráfico: ''
Maria Full of Grace
''Maria Full of Grace'' (Spanish title: ''MarÃa, llena eres de gracia'', lit., " Maria, you are full of grace") is a 2004 drama film written and directed by Joshua Marston. The film was produced between Colombia and the United States. The story ...
'' and ''
La virgen de los sicarios'' (international title: ''Our Lady of the Assassins''). The 2001 film ''
Proof of Life'' is based on the real-life kidnapping of
Thomas Hargrove by
FARC narcotraficantes.
Spanish words and phrases
Illegal drug trade in Latin America