Mexico is finally taking a hard stance on corruption, with the passing earlier this year of a new anti-corruption law that takes effect next July 2017.

Increased criminal activity has led to heightened insecurity throughout Mexico, especially in southwestern states. 

In an effort to root out corruption in one of the country's most dangerous states, Mexican authorities are issuing background checks for traffic cops throughout Tamaulipas. 

Mexico’s government pledged Monday to take control of a violent western state after days of fighting between masked vigilantes and members of one of the country’s most powerful drug cartels, Reuters reports.