Not certain the cartels would be willing to risk their lives after transporting their cargoes to the river........For what purpose?
Cut off their traffic avenue to make a buck and you will find out how serious they can get.
Not certain the cartels would be willing to risk their lives
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Cartel soldiers are literally a dime a dozen - life is cheap and the cartels pay soldiers well. Those that will not join willingly are forced to or they are murdered on the spot. What purpose, are you daft man - power and control; there are certain places along the border they control BOTH sides.
The big guys are well away from the border. They direct their armies (plural) to do as they command, kill who they are told - citizen, police, soldiers, and their families. They are utterly ruthless. A fire fight with bunch of 1/2 assed American vigilantes with hunting rifles would be right up their alley for blooding new recruits.