How much power do drug cartels have in Mexico? | Inside Story

Mexico has been fighting against drug cartels for decades. And its leaders have sometimes mobilised the military to dismantle their vast criminal operations. This week, Mexican forces killed the leader of one of the country's most powerful drug gangs. His killing immediately set off a wave of violence across the nation, putting its security at serious risk. Successive Mexican presidents have camapaigned on curbing the flourishing illicit drug trade and resulting violence. But how have drug cartels managed to keep their hold on Mexico and some other countries in Latin America? Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Sergio Aguayo -- Professor at the College of Mexico, specialising in organised crime Chris Dalby -- Author of "CJNG: A Quick Guide to Mexico's Deadliest Cartel" Michael Vigil -- Former Chief of International Operations at the US Drug Enforcement Administration Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Mexico #ElMenchoKilled #CJNGLeaderDead #JaliscoCartelOperation #MexicoDrugWar2026 #TapalpaRaid #GuadalajaraViolence #CJNG #Guadalajara #PuertoVallarta #MexicanArmy #MexicoCartelViolence #ClaudiaSheinbaum #AlJazeeraEnglish