So, they are not human.
So, they should not be treated like humans.
Got it.
Unfortunately the cartels operate in a universe suffused with legalism so the mass of laws and layers of judicial bureaucracy can be mobilized to defend them. The ‘so just kill them’ bumper sticker mentality is a complete non starter. When it does become operative, society will be truly hobbesian. In such a situation there is no certainty that the godfather type organizations would not be more successful than their foes. Until that time comes, and all with a glimmer of intelligence should fervently pray it doesn’t, controlling, let alone defeating the cartels, will require a very sophisticated multi layered counter insurgency type operation. I am not sure many Americans would like that either. The endless struggle between the Israeli Shinbeit and a roster of arab terrorist groups is a good analogy.