The American newscaster gives a lowball estimate for the number of drug war deaths but is a good report. The government is siding with some of the drug cartels and the CIA against other cartels.
My wife just got back from Zacatecas, MX. She went on an invitation list for about two weeks because of a HUGE wedding celebrating the affair. It was lots of fun for those protected yet, with a pile of exceptions.
Zacatecas, MX is not a border town. It is smack dab in the middle of Mexico. And the drug cartel (or otherwise, hoodlums) kidnapped several people on their way to the wedding. This was never never seen before.
My wife's uncle (whom carries a loaded pistol even though he could go to prison if caught) was accosted on the way to the wedding; stopped to be interrogated by mere street thugs. He got off easy from the cartel.
You have a point. It is about the remake of the Aztecs without cost or social consideration.