Mexico in 2010 is turning into Colombia in the 80's-90's

Where to begin.... Mexican police in Santiago murder their own mayor? That story is just from this weekend. How about 4 decapitated bodies hung from a bridge in Cuernavaca? That story is from yesterday. If you've followed the news at all you'll know that these two stories are just the tip of the iceberg and that similar events happen almost daily in Mexico as it further descends into a state of drug-fueled lawlessness.

The first comparison that comes to mind is Colombia in the 80's-90's. Back then it was Pablo Escobar peddling cocaine. At one point Forbes Magazine listed Escobar as the 7th richest person in the world. He had bought most of the police force and a good bit of the government. Elected officials simply looked the other way for fear of retribution, which would usually come at the point of a rifle. When the Medellin Cartel came, no one was spared.

Eventually the Columbians had had enough, and Escobar's cartel was broken up. But this only happened when a rival cartel, the Colombian government, and US special forces decided to get together and do something about the problem. The Medellin cartel was in operation for roughly 20 years before that happened.

So how long does the world wait this time? How many assassinations? How many murders? How many lives will be destroyed? The US should be threatening an immediate, escalating series of sanctions on Mexico, combined with an offer of whatever "help" they may require in this effort.