Mexico declares war on drug cartels

The Mexican Army, weary from ten years of military action against drug lords, has declared all-out war after a helicopter was shot down.

'At least 15 other people were killed and 19 injured in a coordinated show of strength by the cartel which included several shootouts with soldiers and police, and involved hundreds of low-level operatives who set up roadblocks with burning cars, buses and trucks in Jalisco and three neighbouring states. Eleven banks and five petrol stations were also set ablaze.

'“The full force of the Mexican state will be felt in the state of Jalisco,” [national security commissioner, Monte Alejandro] Rubido said on Monday. “Satisfactory results will start to be seen very soon.”'

http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-rising-drug-cartel-downs-military-helicopter