I saw that picture on FR yesterday. It was a cell phone photo of a man with a Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun mounted in the back of a pick up truck. I doubt if it was purchased at Dick’ Sporting Goods. I bet soldiers are deserting the Mexican army and taking their weapons with them and joining the cartels.
For years the cartels have been hiring kids to join the military with the intention that they learn these skills, something like a government funded apprenticeship. Maybe you get a bonus if you bring your own tools?
Or they do both
That has been going on for decades. About 10 years ago it got to the point the Mexican government stopped keeping track of or looking for their military that went AWOL. They knew where they went...knew they weren't getting them back even for punishment.
“I bet soldiers are deserting the Mexican army and taking their weapons with them and joining the cartels.”
No desertion, it’s just a second high paying job. Weapons are out on loan.