> Is the Mexican government, with their tens of billions in military spending, actually "powerless" to stop these gangs? I very much doubt it.

Then to be blunt, you don't know how a fucking thing.

The cartels have their own intelligent networks, anti-air missiles, RPGs and anti-tank weapons, encrypted radio comms and their own 5G/LTE networks. They have helicopters, armored vehicles, etc. In many cases they have the support* of the people.

* through fear, intimidation, coercion, social bonds, financial motivators, etc.

The cartels also have tens of billions.