I love how the first article says that to solve the problem we should close the border. The problem is that the US public is the largest single consumer market for what the cartels are selling. The only way to solve the problem is to reduce demand. Otherwise, the "invisible hand of the market" will always win.
You make some good points that all too often go overlooked by policymakers. It is a fact that US culture changed radically during the cultural revolution of the 1960s. The more libertarian (i.e. acceptable) norms toward human sexual activity, authority and tradition were embraced and accepted. Along with this most certainly involved celebrities openly using drugs and the entertainment industry not only glamorizing drug use but capitalizing on distribution of this new cultural norm in its work products distributed in the media outlets. here we are a half-century later and due to conflicting messaging and frank malfeasance on the part of government to protect its borders and citizens, drug producers around the globe have found our porous southern border a very lucrative enterprise for the migration of people from around the world and illegal drugs. Most of the illegal drug tonnage enters through legal ports of entry. This is hardly discussed. You are correct in observing that until US culture begins to wean itself off of its insatiable desire to use recreational stupefacient, addicting recreational drugs, the producers and distributors will find ways to push the product onto American street corners and Americans will continue to die. A recent observation was made by former SOS, Gen. Mike Pompeo: more Americans have been killed each year by fentanyl-laced drugs than any year during WWII.
The second point is Mexico itself as a convenient conduit. I lived in Mexico for several years and learned its history, language and customs. I got to appreciate the struggles the Mexican people have endured since they gained independence from Spain in 1821. Regrettably and despite several attempts to reform its governance, the Mexican people have not been able to do so. Mexico, much as other Latin-American nations, cannot seem to shed a cast system where the upper class rules with absolute authority. It has failed, despite rich natural resources and a hard-working labor force, to implement equality of opportunity to gain access and share the nations patrimony. Illegal drug producing and distribution a half-century ago was a nuisance. Today it's one of Mexico's largest exports. The governance structure of Mexico was modeled after the US - where power (or access to it) is obtained with money. It is no surprise that the drug trafficking's industry, while illegal under Mexican law, contributes to the political lives of its leaders at all levels of authority. It has become their life blood. That's the reality. But this blog has to do with vacationing, not political science.
Because of the escalation of cartel inner fighting for more control of real estate, several previously safer places to travel within Mexico are now more problematic. While is is also true the presence of Mexican government security forces of the army, national guard, federal, state and local police have ramped up patrols along the Cancun - Riviera Maya corridor, PV, etc. In reality, venturing out on your own in these areas is not as safe as it once was. The unfortunate analogy right here at home are the violent crimes of homicides, rapes and carjackings along with burglaries, shoplifting, arson, etc, etc. yet people still visit NYC, Chicago, San Fran, etc........ In the end, each traveler and vacationer must do their due diligence to stay informed and seriously consider travel advisories. The one thing is certain - if leisure travel to Mexico from the US tanks, the Mexican government will be forced to tke an aggressive posture.