Broken mirror reflecting vibrant Mexican culture and criminal activity, symbolizing crime literature's reflection of society's dual nature.

Unmasking Mexico's Dark Past: How Crime Writing Exposed a Nation's Wounds

Theo Raines in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into Pablo Piccato's "A History of Infamy" reveals how crime literature became a mirror reflecting Mexico's struggle with justice, impunity, and social inequalities."

Mexico's history is rich with culture, resilience, and, unfortunately, a persistent struggle with crime and impunity. While official narratives often paint a picture of progress and stability, the voices emerging from the world of crime literature tell a different story—one of systemic issues, social inequalities, and a public yearning for justice.

Pablo Piccato's "A History of Infamy: Crime, Truth, and Justice in Mexico" delves into this shadowy realm, exploring how crime writing became a powerful tool for exposing the underbelly of Mexican society. Published in 2017, Piccato's work analyzes how crime narratives reflect and shape public perceptions of justice, violence, and the rule of law.

For a modern audience seeking to understand the complexities of Mexico's past and present, Piccato's research offers invaluable insights. It highlights how cultural expressions, such as crime novels and "nota roja" (crime news), have served as alternative sources of information and social commentary, challenging official narratives and giving voice to the marginalized.

The Roots of Impunity: How Mexico's Post-Revolutionary Era Shaped its Criminal Landscape

Broken mirror reflecting vibrant Mexican culture and criminal activity, symbolizing crime literature's reflection of society's dual nature.

To understand the impact of crime writing in Mexico, it's crucial to grasp the historical context in which it emerged. Piccato pinpoints the post-Mexican Revolution era (1910-1920) as a critical period. While the post-revolutionary regime aimed to establish stability, it fell short in achieving genuine democratic practices and upholding the rule of law. This failure created fertile ground for crime and impunity to flourish.

One key factor contributing to this environment was the abolition of jury trials in 1929. This decision, intended to consolidate political power, had the unintended consequence of reducing transparency and public participation in the judicial process. As a result, Mexicans increasingly turned to alternative sources of information about crime and justice, paving the way for the rise of crime literature.

Loss of Transparency: The abolition of jury trials diminished public trust in the judicial system.
Rise of "Nota Roja": Crime-focused newspapers and periodicals filled the void, offering sensationalized accounts of crime.
Emergence of Crime Novels: Fictional narratives explored the themes of crime, justice, and social commentary.

Piccato emphasizes the importance of "criminal literacy" – a term he uses to describe the public's understanding of crime and the penal system. Crime writing, in its various forms, played a significant role in shaping this literacy, providing Mexicans with insights into the workings of the criminal world and the failures of the justice system.

The Enduring Legacy: Crime Writing as a Mirror to Mexican Society

Piccato's "A History of Infamy" provides a compelling analysis of how crime writing in Mexico has served as a mirror, reflecting the nation's struggles with justice, impunity, and social inequalities. By examining the rise of "nota roja" and crime novels, Piccato reveals how these cultural expressions have shaped public perceptions of crime and the legal system. Understanding this historical context is crucial for addressing the ongoing challenges of crime and impunity in Mexico today.

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Everything You Need To Know

According to Pablo Piccato's "A History of Infamy", how did crime writing become a mirror reflecting Mexico's societal issues?

Pablo Piccato's "A History of Infamy" examines how crime writing in Mexico became a significant means of exposing issues of justice, impunity, and social inequalities. It analyzes how these crime narratives shaped public perceptions of violence, justice, and the rule of law, providing a lens into Mexico's tumultuous history. The study highlights the role of cultural expressions like crime novels and "nota roja" in challenging official narratives and giving voice to marginalized communities.

What key historical factors, especially in the post-Mexican Revolution era, contributed to the rise of crime writing in Mexico, as explained in "A History of Infamy"?

Following the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), the post-revolutionary government struggled to establish democratic practices and uphold the rule of law. This failure created an environment where crime and impunity could thrive. The abolition of jury trials in 1929 further reduced transparency and public participation in the judicial process, prompting Mexicans to seek alternative sources of information about crime and justice. This context paved the way for the rise of crime literature.

What is "nota roja" in the context of Mexican crime writing, and what role did it play in shaping public perception of crime and justice?

"Nota roja" refers to a genre of crime-focused journalism in Mexico that offers sensationalized accounts of criminal activities. Its rise was fueled by a lack of transparency and public trust in the judicial system, particularly after the abolition of jury trials. These newspapers and periodicals filled the void by providing alternative, albeit often sensational, narratives of crime and justice, shaping public perceptions of these issues.

What does Pablo Piccato mean by "criminal literacy," and how did crime writing contribute to it?

"Criminal literacy", as defined by Pablo Piccato, refers to the public's understanding of crime and the penal system. Crime writing, including "nota roja" and crime novels, played a crucial role in shaping this literacy by providing insights into the workings of the criminal world and the shortcomings of the justice system. This understanding is critical for Mexicans to engage with and address issues of justice and impunity.

In what ways does Pablo Piccato's "A History of Infamy" suggest that understanding crime writing can inform our approach to addressing contemporary issues of crime and impunity in Mexico?

Pablo Piccato's work underscores the idea that crime writing in Mexico functions as a reflection of the nation's broader societal issues. By exploring both "nota roja" and fictional crime narratives, Piccato reveals how these cultural expressions have shaped public perceptions of the legal system and crime. This historical context is essential for understanding and tackling the ongoing challenges of crime and impunity in contemporary Mexico, suggesting that cultural analysis can offer crucial insights for addressing systemic problems.