Mexico grapples with 15,350 murders in 10 months, 1,317 kidnappings and alarming extortion

Gruesome mass graves, relentless drug cartels and emerging vigilantes and soaring kidnappings have put Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's (Pictured), pledge to reduce violence to the test in his first year in power. The latest official figures show that 15,350 murders were committed between January and October compared to 21,700 in 2012 – though the government no longer says how many are linked to drug violence. Pena Nieto can also point to a major coup against the ultra-violent Zetas cartel with the capture of drug lord Miguel Angel Trevino in July. But kidnappings and extortion schemes have soared, prompting several towns in the southwestern states of Michoacan and Guerrero to form vigilante police units. Meanwhile, the most wanted man in Mexico, Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo'' Guzman, remains elusive while brutality continues...more