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. 

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