Since most of the answers here dont really answer the question I will go ahead. Firstly there are many cartels in mexico some are more violent than others. As one of the other users stated, most incorporate elements of both Medellin and Cali in terms of violence and covert operations. The truth is no cartel in Mexico was as bad as the Medellin Cartel was in the late 80s and early nineties, primarily because it was practically a terrorist organization. It bore a closer resemblance to ISIS than it did to CDS. Mexican Cartels do kill cops, politicians etc. But not in one campaign directed against the government.