The Spanish word 'cartel' comes from the Latin word 'charta', meaning 'paper' or 'document'. It entered Spanish through Occitan, where 'cartel' meant 'document' or 'notice'. In Spanish, it retained a similar meaning, referring to a 'poster' or 'notice'. In modern usage, the word has expanded to also refer to illegal business confederations, particularly in the context of drug trafficking organizations.

The Spanish word 'carta' (meaning 'letter' or 'card') is a close relative, also derived from the Latin 'charta'. You can see how both 'cartel' and 'carta' maintain a connection to written or displayed information, with 'carta' being the more common and general term for written communication.

Several English words share the same Latin root 'charta', including 'chart', 'card', and 'charter'. The English word 'cartel' was actually borrowed from German and French, but it ultimately comes from the same Latin source. You can see how all these words relate to documents, writing, or displayed information. The word 'paper' itself doesn't come from this root, but many paper-related words do!