tony paillon of the university of texas at el paso is an expert on mexican drug cartels. >> you could say they're a kind of insurgency. they're beginning to learn and to use tactics that are generally associated with the insurgency. >> it's getting worse. i have never seen it at this level before. >> reporter: anthony coleson is a recently retired d.e.a. supervisor in tuscon, arizona. he says the mexican traffickers produce more drugs and are stronger now than ever. >> they're flourishing now as almost a drug empire. >> reporter: mexican president felipe calderon is waging an unprecedented war against the drug cartels and warns the traffickers threaten civil order and the state. so far, five mayors have been killed this year and a gubernatorial candidate was shot dead on a highway. >> the state is not prepared to handle that type of situation. the police forces in mexico are too small. >> reporter: jose reyes ferriz is the mayor of juarez, mexico, where 2,800 people were killed in drug violence last year. he travels with tight security. how many threats do you get and how seriously ar