Mexico was often described as the perfect dictatorship. For 70-years the PRI (pronounced pree) party held power. Presidents literally hand-picked their successors. For 70-years the people were offered bribes for votes.
"The process is simple. They hand the first person in line to vote a (stolen) ballot that is already completed. Each box on that ballot is already marked with an 'x'. The election official gives you a blank ballot. You deposit the one that was already filled in and return the blank ballot to the guy paying the bribe. He marks that ballot and gives it to the next person in line."
Sometimes a family receives a washing-machine. Often, a few weeks before the election, the politicians in power send money, groceries, and other things to a community. More is promised (and often delivered) when that politician is re-elected.
The party system in Mexico has intense loyalty. The governor first helps those cities where mayors are from his party. Charities are often managed by wives and relatives of politicians. For example, a city food bank may be managed by a relative of the mayor. Food is distributed to those in need - but party members and people who can 'get out the vote' come first.
The common people believe that all politicians are corrupt and that most provide help to the drug cartels. In fairness to the politicians, those that refuse the cartels are threatened and their children are threatened. Every once in a while, the cartels kill and kidnap to drive home their point.
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