Maybe a different approach could be the Mexicans hire we Americans to come down and take care of business. Maybe there are enough wealthy Mexicans that care enough to tell the federal government to take a hike and make it worth our while.
One of my very best friends is of Mexican heritage. He is now 72, born in the US, served in the Navy and is as Red, White, and Blue as any of us. He refuses to go into Mexico for any reason although most of his family are Mexicans. He says the system is corrupt at all levels and nothing will be done until another nation helps the people of Mexico fight all those around them. He laughingly suggests, “Maybe we should all get together and toss the rats out of this entire continent.”
What makes you think wealthy Mexicans want to shut down the cartels?
With the economy as it is, the last thing they want is to shut off the $20+ billion in revenue per year that Mexico gets from the drug trade. It would plunge them into an outright depression or worse.
I can’t see any realistic solution to “the Mexican problem.”
But then, 20 years ago Colombia looked totally fubar. And the right leaders and allies brought it back. As we shall bring back Venezuela, and someday, Cuba.