Mexican drug lords, their close associates and those who simply imitate them, today have their own music, their own cinema and even their own patron saint. The Mexican drug culture did not leave the country for many decades, remaining a completely unknown phenomenon for the rest of the world.

Everything has changed in recent years, when, following migrants and smugglers, the drug culture literally flooded into the United States. Today, documentaries are made about her, books are written and even performances are staged.

The prerequisites for the emergence of drug culture should be sought in the distant past - when Mexico was not yet Mexico, and the Indians who inhabited these lands could no longer imagine their life without peyote. In the 16th century, the Spanish conquerors brought hemp here, and at the end of the 19th century, along with Chinese immigrants, opium poppy also came to the country.

Peasants treated drugs like ordinary crops, differing little in importance from potatoes or corn. But when a ban on the same opium and hemp was introduced in the United States, cunning Mexicans quickly realized that they could earn good money by transporting banned plants abroad. The ban on the cultivation of cannabis and poppies was introduced only at the beginning of the 20th century, and even then under pressure from the United States. In the country itself, the peasants continued to quietly grow, transport and sell poppies and hemp. True, now local officials had to be unfastened, starting from a small police rank up to the governor.
The Great Depression in America was a real high point for artisans growing drugs. It was about completely different money and small groups, in which peasants united in order to protect their business, began to sort things out no longer with their fists, but with the help of weapons.

Years passed, whole caravans with drugs stretched from Mexico to the USA, and other caravans loaded with money went towards them.

Major drug cartels in Mexico

№ 1
SINAOLA CARTEL (PACIFIC CARTEL)
Having appeared in the state of Sinaola on the west coast of Mexico, this cartel quickly spread its influence to several states: Baja California, Durango, Chihuahua and Sonora. The cartel is headed by Joaquin Guzmán Loera, nicknamed El Chapo, who, after the assassination of Osama bin Laden, became the first in the list of the most wanted criminals.

№ 2
GOLF CARTEL ("Gulf Cartel")
Based in the city of Matamoros on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. A small number of fighters of the head of the cartel were compensated by mercenaries from the former military. In the late 1990s, this mercenary army spun off into a separate cartel - Los Zetas.

№ 3
CARTEL "LOS SETAS"
Los Setas fighters are among the most trained, as they are recruited from retired police and military. In skirmishes with competitors or federal troops, the cartel uses a rich arsenal of weapons that not every army can boast of. In addition, "Los Setas" is distinguished by the fact that they carry out real special operations, actively using the tactics, weapons and technical means of special forces.

№ 4
TIJUANA CARTEL
A large cartel that controls the northwestern part of Mexico. It was formed at about the same time as the Sinaol cartel, so it is considered one of the oldest in the country. Interestingly, the founder of the cartel is a peasant from Sinaola, Luis Fernando Sanchez Alleriano. About the life of his family, Steven Soderbergh made his famous film "Traffic".

№ 5
Templar Cartel
This organization was created after the collapse of the La Familia cartel. Much attention is paid to the ideological training of fighters, forcing the latter to take an oath "to fight and die for social justice." True, it is not very clear what meaning these guys put into the concept of “social justice”.
Has its own combat wing - grouping
La Resistencia, whose main task is the war with Los Zetas.

Over time, the image of the smuggler has also changed. If earlier the drug carrier was a simple guy living in the neighborhood, now he has turned into a legendary figure, a defender of the poor and a cruel executioner of the offenders of the common people. Considering that many Mexican states live solely on the production or transportation of drugs, drug lords in the eyes of local residents really look like benefactors who give work and do not allow them to die of hunger.

Mexican youth, especially from poor neighborhoods, sought to join the ranks of drug cartels, because they simply had no other prospects for a better life. Someone succeeded, while others were forced only to imitate the appearance, manner of speaking and habits of local smugglers. This is how narcos appeared, which became the main engines and figures of the Mexican drug culture.

The cradle of drug culture is considered to be the state of Sinaola, where the cartel of the same name is based - one of the largest and most influential in Mexico. A rare resident of the state is not associated with the production or smuggling of drugs, and drug lords and cartel members are respected by everyone here without exception.

The clothing style of narcos has undergone major changes since its inception, following the fashion of a particular period. But the timeless classics are the cowboy style that is characteristic of the Mexican border regions: turned-up hats, classic jeans, belts with heavy plaques, embroidered shirts and pointed boots made of genuine leather. Among young narcos, T-shirts with aggressive prints on the theme of drug trafficking and cartel life, embroidered leather jackets and fake polo shirts with giant logos are in fashion today.

More serious guys prefer popular European brands such as Guess, Gucci, Burberry or Ralph Lauren. With the latter, there was an embarrassment at all: the drug lords Edgar Valdez Villarreal, nicknamed Barbie and Jose Jorge Balderas, who were arrested in 2010 and 2011, were in the polo of this manufacturer at the time of their arrest. The exhaust turned out so loud that now in Mexico and the American states bordering on it, these shirts in the eyes of the layman are associated exclusively with the drug business.

Catholic Latin America has always been famous for the abundance of saints invented by the people, responsible for almost every aspect of the life of a believer. A mixture of Christianity and Native American totemism has given rise to a bizarre religion in which there is a place for both the baby Jesus in a poncho and the Virgin Mary in the image of Holy Death.

Narcos also has its own patron saint. Jesus Malverde - "drug saint", "generous bandit". It is not known for certain whether such a person actually existed. It is believed that a certain “noble robber” who robbed the rich and distributed good to the poor could serve as the prototype of Jesus Malverde. In 1903, this nameless folk hero fell into the hands of the authorities and was executed. According to legend, the tree on which it was hung withered and never turned green again.

The cult of Jesus Malverde, whom the official Catholic Church does not want to recognize as a saint, is especially widespread in the state of Sinaola. There is even a chapel dedicated to the "generous bandit" in the state capital, Culiacan.

The children of drug lords, who grew up in luxury, have become a separate phenomenon within the Mexican drug culture. Unlike their fathers and grandfathers, they were born in the cities, in luxurious conditions, never needing anything. They are not very concerned about the practical side of their parents' business, but they borrow the external entourage very willingly.

Kilos of jewelry, hefty wads of money, luxurious clothes, expensive cars and gold-finished weapons are the main attributes of any self-respecting drug junior.

The main difference between drug juniors and their fathers and grandfathers is moral principles, or rather their absence. If narcos of the old school have always put family and neighbors at the forefront, then for drug juniors all these words are an empty phrase. As a result, the poor, who at one time were supported by old-school gangsters from the cartels, today often suffer from unmotivated aggression by drug juniors who live by the principle “I will do it because I can”.

The low standard of living of a significant part of the local population contributes to the emergence of numerous criminogenic elements in the country. Therefore, crime in Mexico is not only the drug mafia and corrupt officials, but also petty thieves, swindlers, kidnappers, blackmailers, etc. The degree of safety largely depends on the specific region of the country or area of the city, however, precautions should always be remembered.

The most dangerous regions of the country and disadvantaged areas of cities

The most dangerous states are Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, Guerrero, Baja California, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Veracruz. These are mainly northern territories, with the exception of Guerrero, Michoacán and Veracruz. Rampant crime here is associated with two factors: drug trafficking and illegal migration across the Mexican-American border. Together with the corrupt police, the situation certainly leaves much to be desired.

The high level of crime in the southern and eastern states is associated with the low standard of living of the population, for which the drug trade sometimes becomes the only means of survival.

State	Situation
chihuahua	It borders the US states of Texas and New Mexico. It is here that the infamous city of Ciudad Juarez is located, which in 2009 ranked first in the world in terms of the number of violent deaths per capita. Since 1993, feminicide has flourished here - the mass murder of women. There are many drug trafficking routes across the state. Marijuana cultivation has been cultivated in the mountainous regions for decades.
Sinaloa	Located in the northwest of the country, it became famous thanks to one of the largest drug cartels with the same name.
Durango	In some cities of the state, for example, Gomez-Palacio, until recently, even the police were afraid to appear. This is one of the poorest states in the country, which is a zone of active drug mafia and criminal gangs.
Baja California	The place where another symbol of the underworld of Mexico is located is the city of Tijuana. This is one of the centers for the transfer of illegal immigrants to the United States, as well as the smuggling of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.
Guerrero	Sometimes rightly referred to as the "Bloody State". In 2014, 43 students disappeared here, and later were found murdered. In March 2017, the massacre claimed the lives of 12 people at a time, in November 2016 - 24 men and women. Such incidents happen here regularly. Several drug trafficking routes run through the state, so the number of criminal elements here is incredibly high.
Michoacán	Located along the Pacific coast. The main population is non-Spanish speaking Indians. The state is the zone of influence of two rival gangs of drug dealers. The associated high crime rate forced local residents to organize themselves into self-defense units, conflicts between which often lead to skirmishes.
Tamaulipas	It is located in the northeast of the country and borders with Texas. For many years he has been suffering from clashes between local gangs that dispute influence in the field of drug trafficking. One of the most disadvantaged cities in the state is border Reynos. It is so dangerous here that the police have introduced a color alarm system.
Veracruz	A major port in the Gulf of Mexico and another area of interest for drug cartels. The state became "famous" for the mass grave of victims of criminal gangs with 250 skulls discovered on its territory.

The authorities strongly discourage tourists from traveling through dangerous areas, especially alone. Here you run the risk of being robbed, kidnapped or killed simply because you have gold jewelry, some cash, an expensive camera or a nice car. The low standard of living and the high concentration of unreliable citizens make even a simple walk through the streets dangerous in these areas. It does not matter at all whether you are connected with criminal organizations or not.

Criminogenic and disadvantaged areas of Mexico City

Despite a fairly high standard of living and good police work, there are dangerous places in the capital of Mexico. The city is a "patchwork quilt" on which rich and poor quarters are grouped around the tourist center.

Tepito is a metropolitan area chosen by buyers of stolen goods, pimps, and drug dealers. It is located literally 15 minutes walk from the Parliament. Tepito's calling card is the dismantling of local groups, invariably accompanied by stabbing and gunfights. Tourists often disappear here. Not surprisingly, even local taxi drivers will not take you into the interior of the area.

And, finally, the most interesting thing is the restriction of travel abroad for debtors. It is about the status of the debtor that it is easiest to “forget” when going on another vacation abroad. The reason may be overdue loans, unpaid utility bills, alimony or fines from the traffic police. Any of these debts may threaten to restrict travel abroad in 2018, we recommend that you find out information about the presence of debt using a proven service not to fly.rf

Such areas of Mexico City as Ciudad Azteca, Guerrero, Peraviya, Iztapalapa, La Paz, Iztapaluca, Nezavalcoyotl also enjoy a bad reputation.

Cuidad de Basura (Trash City) is an area that is not on the map. And yet, it has its own transport, garbage processing business, canteens and merchants. Extremely dangerous for tourists.

In addition, crime in Mexico City thrives in the slums, where the urban poor barely survive. Any lanes and territories with the same type of low-rise buildings are potentially dangerous. So be vigilant!

Dangerous areas of Cancun

Cancun is a favorite holiday destination for thousands of tourists. It is one of the most peaceful cities in Mexico. But here, too, dangers can lie in wait for you, you just have to move a little away from the hotels and deviate from popular routes.

Conventionally, the city is divided into two parts: Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) and Downtown (Downtown). Downtown (Downtown) - these are residential areas familiar to us. And although the crime rate in Cancun is well below the national average, it is recommended to walk and live here in fenced areas with round-the-clock security at the entry points.

Sona Rural is a rural area six kilometers from the city center, which until the 90s had a bad reputation due to the large number of slums and gangs operating there. Later it was landscaped, but the contingent in it remained the same. Here live ordinary Mexicans with a low level of income. And if you don't want trouble, avoid walking in the area if possible.

The outskirts of the city, an hour's drive from the beaches, are undeveloped slums with cesspools in the yards, local authorities and beggars. And the highest risk of becoming a victim of robbers.

Fraud in Mexico: how to avoid being scammed

Fraud has become a way of survival in Mexico for a huge number of poorly educated and poor citizens.

For example, fake police officers - they can be found even in busy tourist areas. Therefore, if you were suddenly approached and demanded to pay a fine, do not hesitate to ask and check the documents of a law enforcement officer. And be sure to get accurate information about what you decided to fine.

Dishonest boat guides are another category of citizens who inflate prices for their services and profit from inattentive vacationers. Inviting you to the boat, they tell you one price for a trip to dolphins or turtles, and at the end of the voyage - another, much higher than the original one. And to leave the boat, you have no choice but to pay. Therefore, negotiate the full cost of the trip in advance - this way you will save your money.

Remember that tankers in Mexico do not have an official salary. Their bread is tips. So if you give an employee a large bill, you may not wait for change. That is why you should calculate in advance how much you will refuel, and prepare bills for payment and tips.

Card readers with video cameras in street ATMs are a modern way of robbery. They allow scammers to get your magnetic stripe data and your card pin. Therefore, in order not to lose funds, use ATMs in bank branches or located in shopping centers. And give preference not to credit cards with a large limit, but to debit cards with a limited amount of funds on them.

Sellers of exotic goods and animals are another category of citizens with whom it is better not to deal with in Mexico. The fact that you were sold a product made of jaguar skin, tortoise shell or quetzal bird feathers does not at all guarantee the legality of the transaction. Checking things and finding such goods in them when leaving the territory of some states can result in confiscation, a serious fine, and even imprisonment.

Kidnappings in Mexico for ransom

In 2020, Mexico set a sad record: the country ranked first in the world in the number of kidnappings. At the same time, the number of such crimes is still very significant. So, in the first half of 2020, 867 people were abducted in the country.

The average ransom for a representative of a wealthy family is about $200,000. Relatives of the kidnapped are given no more than a month to collect the required amount. For a simple tourist, they can ask $3000-$5000. But even after paying the necessary amount, the kidnapped people are often killed.

Currently, the crime rate in Mexico is so high that absolutely everyone is at risk - from wealthy tourists to relatives of gang leaders.

To avoid the fate of being kidnapped, the following simple recommendations help:

use the services of official taxis;
do not meet on social networks and do not go on blind dates;
do not show expensive things or jewelry that indicates your well-being;
avoid slums;
do not hitchhike;
try to walk in the company of familiar people or accompanied by a guide.

In the northern and central states of Mexico, the number of abductions of girls aged 15-17 years old is steadily increasing with the aim of their subsequent sale to brothels. So do not attract undue attention to yourself with revealing clothes and uninhibited behavior.

Organized crime groups in Mexico

The area of activity of Mexican organized crime groups is illegal transportation and drug trafficking. The damage done to the country as a result of the division of spheres of influence by them is so great that in 2020 one of the local companies even offered to arrange insurance against organized crime for everyone. In addition, organized crime in Mexico is closely intertwined with government agencies and the police.

Drug cartels - criminal organizations of various sizes and levels of influence, literally divided the country among themselves, like a pie. Their confrontation leads to massive armed conflicts, causes kidnappings and major robberies.

In addition to drug cartels, a lot of small gangs are also operating in the country.

Changes in Organized Crime in Mexico

Organized crime in Mexico dates back to the 1980s. However, at the beginning of the 21st century, organized crime groups in the country have undergone major changes. Their result was a significant expansion of the spheres of activity of cartels due to the theft of software, the supply of live goods to brothels, smuggling and illegal import of weapons.

The low standard of living and the inability to provide a normal life legally leads to the fact that smuggling or growing marijuana becomes a source of income for large areas of Mexico. At the same time, entire states are involved in internecine wars, as a result of which thousands of people die.

Since the 2000s, due to political changes in the country and the loss of former loyalty on the part of the authorities, cartels have, in fact, challenged the state. All their forces were directed to protect the routes of transportation of drugs. And in this case, they did not shun any methods.

In recent years, the appetites of the cartels have begun to spread to the central regions of Mexico. And this endangers the national security of the country.

The process of globalization in the Mexican drug business

Guatemala, Belize and Honduras are the countries that have become a zone of interest for Mexican drug cartels in the 21st century. Having extensive connections in Africa and Asia, Mexican groups have seriously strengthened their positions and achieved the unification of local criminal structures with Colombian ones. Using the patronage of the state authorities and police representatives, they formed stable groups, famous for their particular cruelty.

The experience of the mid-2000s showed that even after the defeat, such cartels do not disappear, but are reborn under new names and with new leaders at the head. At the same time, structures that control drug markets in the United States began to enjoy special influence.

The Consequences of Merging State and Criminal Structures

One of the reasons that make it difficult to fight organized crime in Mexico is the involvement of government officials and the police in its structures. Indicative in this regard is the arrest in 2008 of the head of the Mexican anti-drug agency, Noe Ramirez, who was convicted of having links with the criminal world and receiving bribes from the largest Sinaloa cartel. Reporting on planned police operations, for many years he nullified all efforts to combat drug trafficking in a particular region. And this is far from an isolated case. A wave of such revelations seriously undermined the public's confidence in the authorities.

Currently, the drug mafia in Mexico is not only flourishing, but partially absorbing the state: gang leaders often become heads of municipalities, and corrupt judges and policemen ensure their safety.

Corruption problems in Mexico

According to a study conducted in 2020 by Transparency International (TI), Mexican political parties turned out to be the most corrupt structures. One of the reasons for corruption in the country is the huge amount of bribes offered to officials.

The authorities never tire of recalling the negative impact that corruption in Mexico has on the development of the country:

disturbed public order;
democratic institutions are weakened;
damage to the economy.

At the same time, the problems of general prosecutorial supervision in Mexico are very acute - dishonest servants of Themis tritely turn a blind eye to existing violations of the laws. So, as a result of one of the personnel purges in the country, 1,200 police officers were fired.

Against this background, the creation in 2020 of a coordinating council, which includes the Ministry of Civil Service, the Federal Audit Service, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the Supreme Administrative Justice Tribunal, looks natural.

Speaking about which anti-corruption body has been created in Mexico, it should be understood that this is not one organization, but a multifunctional structure consisting of several important sectors. The formation of a closed coordinating council will make it possible to avoid the penetration of criminal elements into the system of control and justice.

Social inequality in Mexico and related conflicts

According to research by Coneval (National Council for Social Policy), in 2020, 46.2% of the population in Mexico were below the poverty line. At the same time, 14 billionaires live in the country.

The highest percentage of the poor among the Indians - more than 70%. Geographically, these are the southern states of Mexico. A sign of belonging to the middle class in the country is the presence of a washing machine in the house.

Representatives of the country's white population predominate in leadership positions and among officials, which causes a negative reaction from the rest of the citizens.

Regressive taxes are one reason why Mexican society is so stratified: the rich pay proportionately less than the poor. And this only reinforces the existing contrasts.

A serious problem in Mexico has been the increase in the number of working women. Believing that they are taking away their jobs, many men have turned to active violence. And this is not only rape, but also murder. This phenomenon is called feminicide.

Punishments for various types of offenses in Mexico

Penalties for various types of offenses in Mexico are determined mainly by the Administrative Code of Mexico and the Federal Criminal Code of Mexico.

Despite the high crime rate in the country, the death penalty has been almost completely abolished. She was replaced by life imprisonment for up to 70 years or more. Exceptions: treason during a war with foreign states, parricide, treacherous murder, arson, kidnapping, highway robbery, as well as piracy and serious military crimes.

Possession of more than 15 grams of drugs can result in a large fine and even imprisonment for up to 25 years.

For smoking in a public place, you can be fined $20-30. There are punishments in Mexico for kissing in public places - for this you can be sent to corrective labor or fined. A smile or wink at a girl you don't know can be considered an attempted rape.

Cell phones in the country are allowed to use only from the age of 14.

Mexico officially prohibits torture, flogging, confiscation of property, branding, as well as punishments related to deprivation of body parts. At the same time, the country does not have, as such, a system of consumer protection at the legislative level.

Representatives of law enforcement agencies can detain you until the circumstances are clarified for a maximum of three days.

Features of the work of the Mexican police

The Federal Police of Mexico (abbreviated name PF) was created not so long ago - in 1998. It was based on such units as the financial and traffic police, as well as intelligence units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and military police brigades. The main function of the Federal Police is the fight against drug trafficking in the country.

Due to the unfavorable situation, the police in Mexico are usually well armed. Their uniforms are black or blue. In tourist areas, representatives of law enforcement agencies are quite sympathetic to visitors and provide all possible assistance to those who turn to them.

In 2020, the National Gendarmerie was formed, the main function of which was to ensure order in the border areas, in the territory of strategically important ports and airports, and oil centers.

In addition, community police and civil self-defence groups are active in the country.

Confrontation between the state and drug cartels in Mexico

Felipe Calderon is the leader of the Mexican state, who went down in history as the man who declared war on drug cartels. Its backbone was the army and navy. Information support was provided by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The result of numerous sweeps and arrests was the elimination of several large drug cartels. At the same time, the leaders of these formations, after their arrest, were extradited to the United States, where they could not be helped with the escape by corrupt courts and prison authorities, as in their homeland.

However, the price of this war was more than 57 thousand dead civilians, which led to the formation of an anti-war movement, as a result of which Enrique Peña Nieto came to power.

The methods of the new government are devoid of a power component. First of all, the leader of the country showed his readiness to negotiate with the leaders of the drug cartels, which resulted in a slight decrease in the level of violence in the regions controlled by them. In addition, the country is focusing on the legalization of soft drugs, which deprives illegal traffickers of profits. For example, for a serving of up to 10 g, nothing threatens you.

The complexity of the fight against drug cartels is partly due to the fact that, despite their criminal activities, they never shunned charity, large donations to the church and invested in the improvement of the territories under their control. This still provides them with the support of the local population.

The government's response was the implementation of a national program for the social prevention of violence and crime, launched in 2020 and supporting the poorest segments of Mexican society. Thanks to this, the war on crime in Mexico received support from the local population. One example of the implementation of the program is the improvement of the streets in Gomez Palacio, Durango. Another example is the restoration of streets in the Nuevo Mexico area, the city of Torreon, in the state of Coahuila. And more and more positive results!

How to make traveling in Mexico safe: the main rules

Mexico is a country where you can easily be approached in broad daylight with a knife or a gun. Moreover, the criminals will really be ready to use their weapons to take away your wallet or phone.

Crime statistics in Mexico are depressing: according to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), in 2020 the country ranked second in the number of violent murders. Over the past ten years, about 200,000 people have died in the country and about 30,000 have gone missing.

Despite this, if you follow a number of rules, traveling around Mexico will become not only interesting, but also safe.

Try to avoid purses full of cash and cards that protrude seductively from your pants pockets. After all, you do not want to attract the attention of robbers? Do not put all the available funds in one bag or pocket, so as not to lose everything at once. The best solution would be to store cash and cards in different places, moreover, so that they are not visible.
Do not take a laptop with you for a walk. It is better to keep the camera in a bag and pull it out only at the time of taking pictures. At the same time, it is better to give preference to an ordinary digital “soap box” than to expensive equipment - the chances of being robbed and losing a second one are much greater. Valuable property is generally recommended to be left in hotel safes - it should be borne in mind that in poor areas, local authorities can "confiscate" any valuables for walking around their territory.
It is not recommended to attract undue attention to yourself with too expensive or revealing clothes - be simple and try to blend in with the crowd outwardly.
It is preferable to carry bags in your hands, as the belts are very often cut off, stealing property.
Carry a photocopy of your passport with you, keeping the original document in a safe place.
It is recommended to call a taxi by phone and write down not only the car number, but also the taxi driver's license number. When traveling in your own or rented car, choose toll roads - they are the safest. Do not hitchhike.
Do not take photos without the permission of local residents, especially Indians - this can cause an extremely negative reaction.

Life in Mexico: Video

In December 2006, the newly elected Mexican Felipe Calderon declared war on drug cartels, thus putting an end to the state's passivity in this matter. Since then, some progress has been made, but at a heavy cost. Shootings, murders, kidnappings, conflicts between rival cartels, punitive measures. Since December 2006, about 9,500 people have been killed as a result of anti-drug activities, and more than 5,300 last year alone.

Ammunition seized from members of the Pacifico drug cartel at Mexico City airport. March 12, 2009. (REUTERS/Jorge Dan Lopez)

An American police officer in a captured greenhouse in the basement of a ranch in Tecate, Mexico. March 12, 2009. (REUTERS/Jorge Duenes)

A police officer walks among packets of cocaine in the city of Buenaventura, Colombia's main port on the Pacific coast. Monday, March 23, 2009. Colombian police confiscated 3.5 tons of cocaine, which they tried to smuggle into Mexico in a container of vegetable oil. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Yanet Deinara Garcia (center) and Sigifrido Najera (2nd from left), members of the Cárdenas Guillen drug cartel, at a press presentation at the defense minister's headquarters in Mexico City. March 20, 2009. (LUIS ACOSTA/AFP/Getty Images)

Mexican drug suspect Vicente Zambada Niebla during a media meeting in Mexico City, March 19, 2009. According to police, Zambada was arrested along with five other suspects. The detainees were found with money and weapons. (REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar)

Soldiers guard a police station in the border town of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Monday, March 16, 2009 - As law enforcement in this city of 1.3 million is largely military, a retired officer was appointed chief of police in accomplice after the previous chief of the police department resigned after succumbing to threats drug dealers. (AP Photo)

Federal police officers aboard a plane during a flight to the border town of Ciudad Juarez in Mexico. Monday, March 2, 2009 This deployment is part of a plan to increase the police presence in Ciudad Juarez by 5,000 as the city suffers from organized crime. (AP Photo / Miguel Tovar)

A soldier oversees the burning of fourteen tons of drugs in the city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. December 2, 2008. (J. Guadalupe PEREZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Police drive past a burning patrol car in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Wednesday, February 25, 2009. Earlier in the Pacific resort town of Zihuatanejo, militants opened fire and threw grenades at a patrol car, killing four police officers. (AP Photo/Felipe Salinas)

Mexican police near the car in which there are two killed in a shootout. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. November 25, 2008. (J. Guadalupe PEREZ/AFP/Getty Images)

The corpse on the table in the morgue before the autopsy. Tijuana, Mexico. Monday, January 19, 2009. (AP Photo / Guillermo Arias)

Federal police patrol the city of Ciudad Juarez. March 2, 2009. Hundreds of fully armed military and police convoys patrolled Ciudad Juarez in an attempt to restore order in one of the most violent cities. (REUTERS/Tomas Bravo)

Mexican soldiers check documents during a drug and weapons search in Reinos, on Mexico's northeastern border with the United States, on March 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini) #

The tourist leaves the hotel. Nearby on guard stands a policeman - one of the participants in the operation to defuse a bomb in a departmental institution in the border town of Ciudad Juarez. The report that a bomb had been planted in the building prompted local police and federal forces to launch the operation, according to local media. (REUTERS/Tomas Bravo)

Mexican soldiers inspect vehicles and clear customs at a customs checkpoint near the city of Miguel Alemán, on Mexico's northeastern border with the United States. March 18, 2009. (AP Photo / Alexandre Meneghini)

Mexican soldier on the border between Mexico and the United States in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. March 6, 2009. (AP Photo / Miguel Tovar)

Soldiers patrol an area near the town of Miguel Alemán, on Mexico's northeastern border with the United States, on March 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini) #

Shoes used to smuggle marijuana, at the Museum of Drugs at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense in Mexico City, March 9, 2009. The museum exhibits many exhibits: sniper rifles, mobile and cordless phones encrusted with gold and diamonds, clandestine drug laboratories and many other items. that once belonged to drug dealers. (REUTERS/Jorge Dan Lopez)

President of Texas Armoring Corp. Trent Kimball inspects bulletproof glass made by his company, which was left with bullet holes from the day before. San Antonio, Feb. 26, 2009 - Due to increased skirmishes with drug traffickers in northern Mexico, American companies are increasingly ordering armored skin, bulletproof glass along with armored skin, bulletproof glass and such security gadgets, electronic door handles and triggered by pressing smoke screens. (AP Photo / Eric Gay)

Sunrise over a canal near El Centro, California. March 12, 2009. El Centro recorded the highest unemployment rate in the US: 22.6%. This is the same high figure that was recorded during the Great Depression. Especially now it is hard for Latinos. People living in the Imperial Valley, in the desert north of the US-Mexico border and east of San Diego, are now suffering not only from the effects of the global financial crisis, but also from drought. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Military migrants released from Central America who were held hostage by members of a Mexican gang in Reynosa, Mexico March 17, 2009. According to the Mexican army, more than 50 migrants are currently held captive by a gang that is engaged in kidnapping for ransom. (AP Photo / Alejandro Meneghini)

Forensic investigators remove one of nine bodies found near the border town of Ciudad Juarez on March 14, 2009. According to local media, an anonymous person called the police and reported that at least nine bodies were found in a shallow grave. (REUTERS / Alejandro Bringas)

A man arrested by the military at a house where the gang was holding Central American migrants hostage. Reynosa, Mexico, March 17, 2009. (AP Photo / Alexandre Meneghini) #

The forensic investigator examines the vertebrae and other bone fragments. This is all that remains of the human body, which was burned in a barrel of acid. The murder fits the "handwriting" of "El Teo", one of Tijuana's most wanted necrobarons. (Los Angeles Times photo by Don Bartletti)

A border patrol car levels the sand so that traces of potential border violators can be seen. New prefabricated stair railings have been installed on the Mexican border between Yuma, Arizona, and Calexico, California. March 14, 2009. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Newly built fence on the US-Mexico border. Photo taken at dawn on March 14, 2009 between Yuma, Arizona and Calexico, California. A new 15-foot (4.5-meter) high fence has been installed on top of the sand dunes so that it can be lifted and repositioned when the migrating dunes begin to fill it up. Nearly seven miles (11 km) of the fence were installed, at a cost of $6 million per mile. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Numbered boxes of evidence collected from multiple autopsies. Mortuary in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. February 18, 2009. (AP Photo / Eduardo Verdugo)

Corpses in a morgue refrigerator in the border town of Ciudad Juarez. Mexico, February 18, 2009. (AP Photo / Eduardo Verdugo)

In the foreground is a .50 caliber rifle. In the background - a meeting is being held on issues on the Mexican border. The meeting is attended by representatives of the US Department of Homeland Security and the subcommittee on foreign affairs. Thursday, March 12, 2009, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)

Soldiers escort drug lord Hector Huerta Rios to an air force base in Salinas Victoria, on the outskirts of Monterrey, northern Mexico. March 24, 2009. Hector, head of the Beltran Leyva drug cartel, was captured by the military on Tuesday. He is accused of killing the head of the Monterrey police force. Huerta Rios was captured along with five of his entourage. The detainees were found with money and weapons. (REUTERS/Tomas Bravo)

Shot in the head by unknown assailants in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on March 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Miguel Tovar) #

A police officer inspects the field after the shootout in search of weapons. Tijuana, Mexico. Monday, March 9, 2009. (AP Photo / Guillermo Arias)

In 2016, Mexico ranked second in the world in terms of the number of violent deaths, second only to Syria and ahead of other leaders - Iraq and Afghanistan - in this kind of anti-rating. Such data are given in published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). IISS General Director John Chipman drew attention to an important circumstance: “The Mexican conflict is characterized by the absence of artillery, tanks and combat aircraft. Almost all the victims died from small arms or bladed weapons.” I understood the reasons for the surge of violence in this country.

Big redistribution

The report notes that states that have become "key battlegrounds for rival and increasingly fragmented drug cartels" have suffered the most casualties. Gangs are trying to take away rival-controlled areas and territories in order to monopolize drug trafficking routes to the United States.

A striking example of such clashes is the conflict between two groups of the most powerful local cartel -. After the head of this syndicate, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán (Shorty) was behind bars in January 2016, his closest associate Damaso "Lawyer" Lopez tried to "squeeze" the business from the sons of authority that fell into the hands of the police. However, the heirs of Shorty - Jesus Alfredo and Ivan Archivaldo - were not going to give up the family business without a fight.

As a result, an internecine war began, in which about 500 people died on both sides this year alone. And although on May 2 Lawyer was seized by the police, law enforcement officers are sure that this will not stop the war. Firstly, the Guzman brothers will take revenge on the traitors who have gone over to Lopez's side. Secondly, the sons of El Chapo are forced to fight off attacks on the cartel weakened by civil strife from competitors and allies of the Lawyer.

Now it was embarrassing

The IISS report caused such a wide response that even the President of the United States reacted to it. IN Twitter he posted a link to a material that discussed the document.

The Mexican authorities were seriously offended by the authors of the study and issued a joint statement and. It indicates that, according to the data, the number of murders in Mexico (16 per 100,000 inhabitants) is much lower than in some other countries of Latin America: in Brazil, for example, this figure is 25, in Venezuela - 54, and in Honduras it is generally prohibitive 90 violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.

Another counterargument given by the Mexicans: many regions of the country are not affected by the showdowns of drug dealers and the tourist flow increased by nine percent last year. Therefore, comparing Mexico with Syria is absolutely incorrect.

“This report is dubious work and sensationalism. Comparing the violence caused by the illegal drug trade to a civil war is unfounded. Mexico, like many other countries in Latin America, is facing real problems with homicides,” says a professor at the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (Tom Long). - These estimates are questionable. Half of the murders committed in Mexico do not appear to be related to the illegal drug trade.”

One way or another, but in the ten years that have passed since the Mexican authorities declared war on organized crime, about 200 thousand citizens of the country have died, another 30 thousand people have gone missing.

American Recognition

“We Americans must realize that our country is the only market for this product. If not for us, there would not be such a serious problem with organized crime in Mexico. We should understand that we are responsible for this,” the US Secretary of State acknowledged at a joint press conference with Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray. “We must be above shifting responsibility on each other and exchanging reproaches. It must be understood that every demand creates supply and every supply creates demand. If the governments of the United States and Mexico spend time arguing about who is to blame, whose mistake it is, organized crime, which kills people on both sides of the border, will only win,” the Mexican minister said.

According to US Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, first of all, it is necessary to put an end to what lies at the root of the problem - the demand for drugs in the United States. “If Americans realize that the use of drugs for pleasure entails the death of people in Mexico, Colombia or Central America, the murders of journalists, policemen, military officers, judges, then the profits of this criminal business will be significantly reduced,” he said.

Kelly argues that everyone will be involved in the drug demand reduction program in the US: Hollywood, governors, mayors, families, priests. In his opinion, this can significantly reduce the income of drug cartels. “Until we do this, there will be a desperate struggle on the border,” he stated.

People are dying for gasoline

According to official figures, about half of all violent deaths in Mexico are due to drug cartels. Regions through which oil and gasoline pipelines pass have become a new arena for clashes between various groups. Criminals make tie-ins in them and drain the fuel. The cost of stolen fuel on the black market is two times lower than at legal gas stations.

The underground trade in gasoline and other petroleum products has flourished since last year's decision by the authorities to raise fuel prices by almost 20 percent. According to the national oil company Pemex, if in 2006 213 illegal tie-ins were detected, then last year this figure rose to seven thousand. The turnover of the stolen fuel market exceeded $16 billion.

The battle for such a jackpot could not do without casualties. For example, in the state of Puebla, 185 homicides were committed during the first three months of this year, twice as many as in the same period in 2011, which saw the previous peak in violent crime.

Several large gangs are fighting over the section of the "gasoline pie". They not only fight among themselves, but also conduct real battles with federal forces. At the end of April, as a result of a special operation of the Mexican security forces in the city of Reynosa, one of the leaders of the underworld of the state of Tamaulipas, Lois Salinas, nicknamed Comandante Bull, was killed. Previously, his group specialized in drugs, but recently it has diversified its activities and is actively engaged in the development of an underground fuel business.

The response of the bandits was not long in coming. According to the local police, the criminals blocked the roads with cars and set them on fire. At the same time, several shops were burned down. The Ministry of the Interior asked citizens not to visit Reynosa due to the sharp aggravation of the situation after the liquidation of Loysa.

Already on May 3, there was a new skirmish between the bandits and the military. Ten people were killed, including four soldiers. “Today we are faced with a problem that is out of control,” said Rep. Carlos Ignacio Mier Banuelos of that state. The authorities responded to the new challenge in the traditional way: additional army units were introduced into the state to strengthen the protection of fuel lines. However, this only indicates that the state does not have a well-developed program to counter the new form of criminal business. “The army operates in a straightforward manner, without a strategy. The military uses only forceful methods,” Mier explained. According to him, as soon as the soldiers leave the region, the battle for gasoline will resume with renewed vigor.

According to experts, the underground fuel business cannot yet be compared with the drug trade in terms of profitability, but local organized crime groups are considered the most promising and fastest growing type of criminal profit. This means that the fights between the gangs will continue and claim thousands of lives. As one of the Mexican experts said on this occasion, "violence feeds on itself: murder entails an inevitable response in the form of the same murder."

Mexico is one of the ten most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting 50 million tourists annually. The Mexican government has stated that Mexico will become one of the world's top five tourist destinations by 2018, and if we take into account today's trend, this goal will be achieved. Cancun Airport receives more than 190 flights daily from all over the world, including the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Russia.

Amazing Mexico

- A detailed description of the states, cities, museums, natural sites, as well as all the strange, amazing and unusual places that can be seen in Mexico. Maps, coordinates, links, useful contacts. Everything you need to plan your own trip to Mexico.

Live, work, play, invest

Mexico - this is a whole universe where everyone finds what they want.Those who have got acquainted with Mexico have learned the uniqueness of the country, the charm of the old world and the calm, measured pace of life. Live inMexico, with its magnificent beaches, jungles, wine region, boat trips, first-class golf courses, world-class scuba diving and fishing and the most amazing cultural and archaeological treasures of the Mayan world - it's a life full of adventures at every turn.

The economic side of life in Mexico remains extremely favorable. The world's largest bank, HSBC, has named Mexico "the best country to invest" due to the country's long-term status as a model of a free market economy in Latin America. Mexico is the 10th economy in the World and the 2nd in Latin America with ambitions to be the first in this decade. However, prices in Mexico remain largely low: in some parts of Mexico, you can live in a hacienda with three bedrooms, a pool and a gardener for less than $1,000 a month.

Mexico has been a popular holiday destination for a long time. But now it is not limited to this - it is quickly becoming a popular place to live. According to the US State Department, more than a million US citizens permanently reside in Mexico, which is approximately 1% of the Mexican population and 25% of all US citizens living abroad.

Over the past decade, it has become a profitable and real investment strategy introduced by a new class of experienced real estate investors. Mexico has interesting options for any family that wants to live or vacation in the Caribbean or wants to make a profitable and promising investment.

The number of cultures and expats represented in Mexico is impressive - there are more than 47 of them, local residents have American, Italian, Canadian, Argentinean, Spanish, British, Swiss, German, French and other roots.As a result of the country's high expat population, most of the locals speak English, and you'll also find plenty of cafes and shops with modern American brands such as Costco, Wall-Mart, Starbucks and Hooters.In addition, many cinemas show films in English. Given the fact that ancient Amerindian cultures still thrive in Mexico, it's clear that the diversity in modern Mexico is truly unique.

When you count how many advantages Mexico has, it comes as no surprise that Mexico is one of the most favorite destinations for travelers and expats. We specialize in, assistance in organizing a business , providing and rental villas in Mexico.

Immigration strategies for you

Forget about Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Canada and Australia. The incomparable Mexico awaits you. The whole world is now literally rediscovering Mexico and the Riviera Maya. Developed infrastructure, billions of dollars of investments from all over the world, tourism, construction projects and projects in the field of tourism and trade are in full swing. The second international airport is almost completed and will be located near. A simple and quick procedure for obtaining a residence permit, permanent residence and subsequently citizenship. High quality and low cost of living.

Mexico - a land of great opportunities for immigrants

Mexico is becoming an increasingly popular destination for immigrants. From 2000 to 2010, the number of foreigners in the country nearly doubled and is now growing at an even faster pace. Large-scale changes in the global economy have created a new impetus for immigration. Rising wages in China and higher transport costs have greatly increased the competitiveness of Mexican manufacturing. In many industries that serve the US market, Mexican production is already cheaper than Chinese production. In terms of economic growth, Mexico is ahead of the leading countries of the Western Hemisphere: the United States, Canada and Brazil. This makes Mexico a more attractive country for foreigners who are looking for new opportunities.

The class affiliation of new immigrants is the most diverse: from high officials to laborers. In November 2013, when a law was passed simplifying the immigration process, the number of applications for residence permits in Mexico increased by 10%. The situation with immigrants from the United States is developing in a particularly interesting way: over the past few years, the number of Americans who have moved to live in Mexico has exceeded the number of Mexicans who have moved to live in the US. This happened for the first time in history. The energy of Mexico attracts immigrants from all over the world. Mexico is changing, it is more and more open to the world from all sides: cultural, social and economic.

Best real estate deals in Mexico

We are the confidant of the buyer. Our real estate brokerage in Mexico is one of the few that represent the interests of the buyer and not the interests of the seller. Real estate prices here are still comparatively lower than in other places, such as Spain, Croatia, Costa Rica or the Bahamas. Now is the best time to buy property in Mexico. Make a purchase before the price spikes, and before the real estate buying opportunities here run dry.

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