OT: Cartel Land
 

... is on Netflix streaming (here in the U.S., at least). I highly recommend it. It's about the rise (and fall) of anti-narco gang militias on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a T2K context, it's an interesting study in the development of militias and paramilitary groups, and the relationship between such groups and the government (this is more of a focus in the segments in Mexico). When the government isn't providing peace, stability, and order, who steps into that vacuum? Are armed vigilante groups the answer, or part of the problem? I think that it provides a lot of good fodder for anyone running a CONUS campaign set in the SW, in particular.

The bits on the Mexican autodefensas (self-defense forces) are fascinating and difficult to watch. It's really on a treatise on the very fine line between vigilante "justice" and the criminal activities vigilante groups purport to oppose. I don't want to ruin the ending, so that's all I'll say.

Alas I don't have Netflix. While the Autodefencas are currently found south of where a story of mine takes place. I would not be surprised if other such groups started popping up in other parts of Mexico. To tell the truth Mexico is in a Civil war with the Government on one side and the various Narcoterrorists on the other. If the Mexican people win then the country stabilizes. If the Narcoterrorists win then Mexico Balkanizes.