Research Library

The violent struggle between rival Mexican drug cartels and other criminal groups has left tens of thousands dead and towns across Mexico paralyzed with fear. With overwhelmed police forces relatively powerless to control drug-related murders and kidnappings, a growing number of vigilante organizations, or self-defense groups, aim to restore order — but now even they are fighting, and killing, among themselves.

Drug policy fellow Gary Hale discusses the Jan. 31, 2012, Senate testimony of James R. Clapper, U.S. chief of national intelligence, in which he indicates that Mexico and violent events in that country are not specific threats to the United States.

Government attacks on the infrastructure of the Gulf cartel and the Zetas in recent years are concrete examples of Mexico's efforts to retake its northeastern states from the hands of drug traffickers.

To access the full paper, download the PDF on the left-hand sidebar.

Mexico finds itself in a precarious position, given…