SOCIAL CONDITIONS Social problems include a rapidly increasing population, inequitable income distribution, regional imbalances, and a discontented middle class. In addition, rampant drug trafficking has destabilized large parts of society and corrupted officials. The benefits of the substantial economic progress since the mid-1980s have been enjoyed mainly by those already wealthy, and even this progress was interrupted by the 1994–1995 financial crisis. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the population grew by more than 3.5% annually; the …showed first 75 words of 813 total…

…showed last 75 words of 813 total…officials have concluded that drug corruption is so entrenched in law enforcement agencies that meaningful cooperation is impossible. They have even strained relations between the two countries by conducting undercover operations in Mexico without informing Mexican officials. Much drug traffic has migrated from Colombia to Mexico because of the crackdown on Caribbean smuggling routes. A side effect of corruption is the alarming rise in vigilante justice provoked by the widespread distrust of the legal system.