Nearly five years into Mexico's crackdown on drug cartels, drug trafficking appears to be increasing in several other countries to its south.

A history of civil strife, instability and corruption has made the region extremely vulnerable.

Marcelo Ebrard, the mayor of Mexico City, told Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman that the best way to address those problems is to focus more attention on the economy.

"To expand social opportunities, and economic growth, is the best way to fight against the drug cartels and the easy money," he said.