It has to be added in that it is thought that El Chapo largely got the real bloody war started though because he invaded the Juarez plaza, the place near El Paso so many drugs come through. At least that is what is written:
“In May 2009, the U.S. National Public Radio (NPR) aired multiple reports alleging that the Mexican federal police and military were working in collusion with the Sinaloa Cartel. In particular, the report claimed the government was helping the Sinaloa Cartel to take control of the Juarez Valley area and destroy other cartels, especially the Juarez Cartel.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinaloa_Cartel
And see, the government probably has at times, been lenient, cooperative with the Sinaloans as stated above. Back during Reagan’s administration as well.
To me, the Zetas are sort of the ISIS of the Mexican drug wars, they started the more brutal acts apparently and are like the devil on earth. And then again, if one sees the government siding with one Cartel, it can be the thing that breeds something like the Zetas. But the Zetas who are against Chapo’s empire of course, can’t be forgiven for horrors such as kidnappings and murder, they are probably involved in moving people across the border too. Complex situation, I heard some movie came out “Cartel land” and it talks about the self-defense groups (Auto defensas, Vigilantes to some) who defend with a measure of success, their own cities since the Mexican government and local police don’t do the job. What a mess.