..., when we got up the next day, there were stories on the front page of the newspaper about a roadblock that had been set up on that very road from Tequila to Guadalajara the night before, all cars were stopped and the passengers robbed!
I do not remember the name (it quite likely would not be the same I suppose), but there was an Argentinian steak house in Guadalajara which had the best steak I have ever eaten. Just food for thought, if you haven't left Guadalajara yet.
Using the iOverlander app there are regular points marked where people were stopped for "donations" and other places where people were run off from stealth camping spots by armed men.
It has been explained to me that the Government hasn't always been fair in dealings over land for Government projects so locals sometimes seek redress in their own way - as in the unofficial tolls.
Also, the cartels are now involved in far more than drugs. Fuel & illegal logging are also big business. I haven't put it in a post yet but I have seen trucks being tailed by armed guys in "private security" vehicles. I can only assume they are a guard detail.
Even in Guadalajara there are heavily armed private security guards on some of the fancier department stores.
It's important to be aware of the risks and dangers, but at the same time not be overpowered by fears.
I'll wait for Argentina for an Argentinian steak 😊