The Drug War in Mexico

In 2006, Mexican President Felipe Calderón with U.S. support launched a crackdown against drug traffickers and producers. This was in an attempt to make Mexico more attractive to investors as well as staunch the violence against civilians and law enforcement. The crackdown did little to better Mexico's image as the drug war situation deteriorated quickly:

• Corrupt police were easily bought as they have relatively low salaries 
• Cartels have splintered under new leadership and rivalries have intensified 
• Attacks on cartels have involved serious human rights abuses, such as torture 
• Civilian murders are commonplace and many officials and celebrities have been kidnapped and killed by Cartels

As one can see from this graph homicides increased dramatically following Calderón's crackdown: