Replication Data for: Criminal Fragmentation in Mexico

Mexico’s war on drugs is increasingly characterized by small, local groups rather than large cartels. This research note introduces new data developed from a narcoblog – a citizen journalism website – on more than 450 criminal organizations operating in Mexico between 2009 and 2020. I use the data to test prominent theories of fragmentation, providing suggestive evidence that drug war policies contributed to a more complex conflict: kingpin removals were correlated with the emergence of smaller groups; profit opportunities (here fuel theft) then attracted these organizations to new territories. This research contributes to our understanding of criminal control and informs debates over policies aimed at violence reduction.