Zetas

Mexico might have more trouble than it can handle in the form of the Zetas, former anti-drug commandos who have switched sides:

Whether the government can beat the Zetas is an open question. Many think the Zetas are better trained and better armed than their government opponents.

When 100 soldiers encountered a reported eight drug traffickers Jan. 28 in the state of Sonora, the troops withdrew. News reports quoted army commanders as saying, ``They have better weapons. We could do little.''

In the last six months, 21 Americans have gone missing while visiting Mexican border towns, mainly Nuevo Laredo, causing the U.S. Consul there to issue a warning. It's believed the Zetas are now using kidnapping as a sideline, to generate funds to cover losses from unsuccessful drug deals.
Family members of some of the victims have put up a website, called Laredo's Missing, to publicize the kidnappings.