Mexican drug cartels operate large farms that produce traditional crops and livestock, but less legal products such as marijuana and other drugs generate most of their profits. Drug trafficking is one of Mexico’s largest exports. The reality of the situation means that governments, banks, trade authorities and even the military must be involved in some form to ensure the operation continues to bring in money.
In some regions, cartel violence has become a way of life. The problem is made worse by the fact that the police are being targeted and not knowing what to do. Not only ordinary citizens and frontline workers are at risk, but even high-level officials such as police chiefs are not immune to attacks. It is difficult to determine who is trustworthy and immune to corruption.
At the same time, some high-ranking members of the cartel were so respected and revered by commoners that they used badges and other marks of distinction for wearable mementos.
The nature of the transaction makes some questionable practices all too clear. For example, we see even teenagers being recruited and armed to play a role in cartels. In this case, it is usually part of a family business that may or may not be continued by younger generations.
It’s a cycle of life lost, laws broken, and criminals cracked down with questionable results.
The characters we see are very real; a mother searching for her missing son, a reporter fleeing her home, and a child dreaming of a traditional career they were unlikely to pursue.
Yet even cartel members claim the government is still in power. This makes the feature even more interesting, as we get to see the power dynamics both on the front lines and in behind-the-scenes reports.
