We should be grateful for a story this deep on the woefully under-reported topic of drug violence in Mexico. I wonder if this could have been written in a slightly more disinterested tone -- at points I find the authors first-person voice too strong. Then again, absent solid intelligence on the issue, this may have been the only way.

Coverage of Mexico in the national press is surprisingly sparse, despite the fact that the drug violence that plagues our southern neighbor is largely fueled by American demand. Great overview of how Mexico got to where it is, with some ideas on how the government can get a firmer grasp on the country.

a compelling summary of how the current drug-related crimes managed to become such a huge murderous, dangerous activity threatening the u.s. as well as mexico. it's important that this be more public here as the u.s. probably will play a role in aiding with this mess. what's missing here is how much some of the former (and current) government leaders serve as a model for the means to maintain control of various cities and states which threatened their own power.

A terrific first hand look through the writers personal view of Mexico's deterioration as it's leaders lose control to the Drug Cartels. Not much sourcing, but lengthy personal testimony, all are I suspect undoubtedly true. A easy visual read.

I have read and seen stories that make it seem that a war is going on just over our southern border. This article lends a lot of credibility to that idea. The question that is left that this story does not address is: is Mexico in danger of becoming a failed/narco state?

An excellent report by someone who's, been there, done that. After writing two books, the author doesn't even recognize Mexico. With the leaders making billions of dollars and purchasing high powered weapon, the police and Army are either corrupt or to afraid to fight. Obama needs to realize this is a national security issue and take the appropriate measures.

This is a well written piece about an issue so many Americans have so little knowledge of despite our role in the grand scheme of it all, not to mention the proximity of the violence. If Sam Quinones wasn't working as a reporter for the LA Times, I think more sources would be necessary to make it reliable.