Beyond Netflix and Narcos: The real story of drug cartels ruling over Mexico

The death of El Mencho did not end cartel power; it exposed how deeply entrenched it has become. This piece examines the real history behind the Netflix mythology, tracing the rise of Mexican cartels from Colombian cocaine transporters to global criminal empires. It explores how figures such as Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo and El Chapo built the system, how 9/11 reshaped trafficking routes, and how synthetic drugs industrialised the trade. It argues that cartel power persists because it is structural, not personal. El Mencho’s killing marks not a conclusion but a transition, as the system adapts once again, preparing to produce the next successor in an endless cycle.