[patrick451]

I don't think Mexico is actually trying to root out the cartels. The corruption, bribes and threats are more powerful than Mexico's will for rule of law. I don't disagree that U.S. demand for drugs plays an enabling role here, but it's telling that the cartels are based in Mexico and not within the U.S. A cartel kingpin could eliminate a huge problem class by not needing to get drugs across the border, but evidently that's easier than evading the DEA on their home turf. Why does Mexico not have an equally fear inspiring agency?

[ahzhou]

Mexico has been a victim of corruption since before it was a nation. Its political system under the Spanish was designed for efficient resource extraction and labor exploitation. Its home-grown system in the 1930's was created for the consolidation of political power and money to the winners of it's revolution.

Combine this with the fact that the drug market in the US is ~$150B, it's hardly surprising that the cartel pops up to service the demand while joining hands with the corrupt central government. Neither group cares about the people.

To begin to tackle it as you suggest, I think Mexico needs a full blown revolution which somehow manages to resist the billions of dollars the cartels are sitting on. It's not like Mexican's aren't trying either - it's just that if they try too hard, they get publicly executed.

Note that that herculean effort only addresses the supply problem. The demand will still be there until the US controls it's drug epidemic, which I don't think anyone knows how to do.

As I mentioned above, I'm not assigning any blame. I think both countries are in some kind of extremely shitty local maxima where the problems are so difficult to solve that a minority of people are able to profit and perpetuate the status quo.