Their recognition is significant because it acknowledges, and lends support to, the increasing role of private citizens in the search for Mexico's missing. But, they say, it does not and should not mean a transfer of the authorities' responsibility.

And make no mistake about it, these are truly Mexican establishments, not European imitators, with Mexican management, Mexican and pre-Columbian themes and an emphasis (though of course not exclusive) on Mexican spirits.

Tropical Storm Rachel, now wreaking havoc in southern California and places as far inland as Las Vegas, claimed the lives of four people in northern Mexico, while the impacts of Hurricane Simon killed one person in Guerrero.

The state government had just last week announced a project to rehabilitate the obsolete water distribution infrastructure after earlier offering refunds to affected users, but after a year of brown liquid emerging from their taps, protesting tapatíos had run out of patience.

In an Oct. 9 report titled "CJNG After El Mencho," the Overseas Security Advisory Council assesses the impacts that El Mencho's takedown has had on the internal structure and operations of Mexico's biggest cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).