From DW Documentary.

Mexico has been at the center of an escalating drug war for decades. Over 400,000 people have been killed since 2006 and more than 125,000 are missing. But the conflict extends far beyond the country’s borders.

In Mexican cities such as Tijuana, Culiacán and Doctor Coss, armed gangs are waging battles using homemade "narco-tanks” – a kind of improvised fighting vehicle. Mass graves in residential areas are not out of the ordinary. Many victims are never identified. Those who disappear were often simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mexico is a central transit country in the global drug network. Cocaine from South America, methamphetamine from domestic laboratories and the synthetic drug fentanyl are transported from here to the US and on to Europe, Asia and Africa. In return, money and weapons flow back. The illegal trade is a billion-dollar business. This makes the narco bosses powerful players.

The cartels deliberately recruit young men from poor regions, promising them income, advancement and protection. They infiltrate the authorities, judiciary, police and military. The violence is systemic. The fear is omnipresent. But the conflict does not only affect Mexico. The US, as the main target market for drugs, is increasing the pressure on Mexico – and is not ruling out military intervention.

#documentary #dwdocumentary #dwdocs #mexico #cartels
______

DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.

Subscribe to: ‬
⮞ DW Documentary (English): https://www.youtube.com/@DWDocumentary
⮞ DW Documental (Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/@DWDocumental
⮞ DW Documentary وثائقية دي دبليو (Arabic): https://www.youtube.com/@dwdocarabia
⮞ DW Documentary हिन्दी (Hindi): https://www.youtube.com/@dwdochindi
⮞ DW Dokumenter (Indonesian): https://www.youtube.com/@DWDokumenter
⮞ DW Doku (German): https://www.youtube.com/@dwdoku

For more visit: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610
Follow DW Documentary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwdocumentary/
Follow DW Documental on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwdocumental

We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G