Narcos, largely true, is a wonderful three season presentation available on Netflix, about the war on the Colombian drug cartels. One point that is made early on is that the Mexican cartels made a big mistake in kidnapping, torturing and murdering DEA agent Enrique Camarena. DEA wiped out the killers in retribution and to ensure that the other cartels learned it was very unwise to again attack US agents. For the most part, they left US personnel alone after this; perhaps another lesson is in order.
Back in the 80s, during the Columbian Drug War, proposals were placed on President Reagans desk to actually bomb the Drug Cartel leaders in their estates, homes, etc. Using USAF. It was deemed a bit to antagonistic.