Mexican here, I agree it's becoming (if not already) a failed state. Only thing holding it together is that not everyone is a pos and that big capitals do like pretending to have a rule of law.

Not so. Those who actually go across the border from Brownsville to Matamoros see it; those who fly straight to Cancun do not. It used to be a pleasant trip (through the mid- to late nineties) to go for a day or two, at a reasonable price. Good food, and a great place to buy quality vanilla. Not safe any more; sad. I suppose it makes sense that border towns got hit the hardest, but it's sad for people who enjoyed going across for short trips by car rather than going to expensive resort towns.

I am literally living in a border town on the Mexican side, I'm telling you the U.S media and other political entities are spreading fear and propaganda.

The time you describe was the worst time for cartel violence and it is much calmer now.

I believe what you say, but also that it's a sample size of 1. Many areas have became much worse, some perhaps many have become 'calmer.' But blaming it all on 'fake news' is not being truthful...