Good point. The narcos have lots of power in Mexico. They are better armed than the police and military in Mexico.
A case could be made that the narcos threaten to overthrow the government of Mexico eventually.
Imagine how many refugees there could be if things really get out of control in Mexico.
Years ago, I took a cruise to the Yucatan. We got on a buss and went to Chichen Itza and had to pass a state line to get there. At the state line, there were two machine gun nests set up on the road. They stopped us and the lead soldier came on the bus so the driver and guide could pay him his bribes so we could pass. The guide, who had a Masters degree, just explained that this is how things work in Mexico.
That is Mexico. It is not a shithole because of the climate or the resources. It is a shithole because Mexicans made it a shithole.