Geographies of Violence: Necro-Spaces,Homicidal Patterns,and Sovereignty in Mexico

Abstract

This study examines the regional dynamics of violence in Mexico, focusing on the spatial distribution of homicide rates at the municipal level and their manifestation in necro-spaces—territories where actors such as organized crime groups, self-defense forces, police, and military exercise sovereignty over life and death. Utilizing secondary data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) covering 2004 to 2022, the research applies spatial autocorrelation analysis to identify clusters of violence and assess the persistence of necro-spaces. The results show that these necro-spaces have persisted over time and, in some regions, have expanded. The spatial analysis confirms that violent municipalities are typically surrounded by others with similar homicide rates, indicating a high territorial dependence in the perpetuation of violence. The militarization policies, particularly during the “war on drugs” of previous administrations, increased violence instead of reducing it. Although the Andrés Manuel López Obrador administration implemented a different policy with the “hugs, not bullets” strategy, this has also failed to decrease violence in Mexico. The study also highlights that necro-spaces are not random but persist due to geographic and institutional factors, suggesting that security policies must move beyond military and social strategies to consider the underlying territorial and structural conditions that sustain violence. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of how state actions—whether through military engagement or withdrawal—shape violent geographies and reinforce the sovereignty of non-state actors over specific regions. The research underscores the necessity of a comprehensive policy approach that integrates security, governance, and socioeconomic strategies to effectively address the ongoing crisis of violence in Mexico.