The Diversification of Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations and its Effects on Spillover Violence in the United States

Spillover violence describes violent crime occurring in the United States that derives from the drug trafficking enterprise in Mexico. Perpetrated by Mexican transnational criminal organizations TCOs, the occurrence of spillover violence has increased since the Mexican Government declared war against the TCOs in 2006. As secondary effects, many of the operational dynamics of TCOs have evolved, resulting in an increase in the degree of violence. Diversification of criminal enterprises and the struggle for leadership positions left vacant by the Mexican Governments campaign of targeting the top leadership positions of the TCOs are most notable. This thesis looks at these secondary effects, along with the domestic influences of economy and education, to make a prediction as to the probability that spillover violence into the United States will increase.