[SammyNameTaken]

could it be that those “cartel buddies” were kicked out by the current cartel in power?

[miguelazo]

That's certainly a possibility. I haven't seen any evidence that the AMLO administration is actively collaborating with the cartels, but they have been quite open about not pursuing the failed strategies of the past, like working with the DEA:

https://world.time.com/2014/01/14/dea-boosted-mexican-drug-c...