To start off with some background knowledge, we all know a major issue in Mexico is drug cartel violence, which dates back to the first major drug cartel that began in the mid 1970s. Recently, the Mexican military shot and killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which started in 2010. This cartel group was widely known for crimes such as extortion, drug trafficking, and kidnapping. They are also notorious for extreme violence. They had ambushed police, assassinated officials, and even shot down a military helicopter. Since El Mencho’s death not only triggered retaliation from the cartel he led, but it also triggered retaliation from numerous other groups. This retaliation includes shootings, burning vehicles, and clashes with security forces in several states. Cartels also spread videos of the violence to create mass fear and chaos. At least 70 people were reported dead, and more were

reported missing. Some of the most powerful cartels at this moment are the Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas, and the group that El Mencho was in charge of. All of these groups are extremely well armed and organized, with some analysts even saying they operate like paramilitary armies. The Mexican government under President Claudia Sheinbaum has been trying multiple strategies to fight the cartels. Mexico has deployed the Army, Navy, and National Guard to fight the cartels directly. They have strengthened the National Guard to hopefully send more security forces into the communities that lack enough protection. As of this writing, there are mixed results of improvement on this situation. Experts say defeating or at least calming cartels will likely take many years and major reforms.