DID MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS AGREE TO A TRUCE?

Could the Gulf and Sinaloa drug cartels, whose bloody 3-year-long war
has left thousands dead, be in peace negotiations?

Law enforcement officials on both sides of the border say Mexico's
largest cartels have discussed a truce, and violence - though still
high - has decreased over the last month.

Drug killings have included decapitations, menacing letters attached
to dead bodies and dozens of dead cops. But executions have slowed in
recent weeks, averaging about 40 a week, according to Mexican media
estimates. That's down from as many as 95 a week earlier in the year.

According to the Proceso magazine, complementing information first
reported by the Dallas Morning News, cartel leaders met last month on
a ranch in Tamaulipas and discussed dividing Mexico into zones of
control and limiting the violence. Apparently the large number of
killings had become bad for business, prompting cartel leaders to take
action.

The cartels began battling for control of Nuevo Laredo, the most
coveted crossing along the border, about three years ago. Since then,
the cartel feud has spread to nearly every corner of the country.
President Felipe Calderon sent the military to confront the cartels,
which led to more drug violence. According to the press reports
though, the military action may have helped coax the cartel leaders to
the negotiating table.

Officials insist the possible truce is "fragile." Mexico can only hope
it is real and it lasts. According to many drug war experts, an
agreement between cartels may be the only way to slow the violence.