The Brutality Comparison: ISIS vs. Mexican Drug Cartels

When thinking about the most horrific fates that one could face, the question often arises: Would you rather be captured by the ISIS or by a Mexican drug cartel? This comparison is stark, as both have reputations for extreme brutality. However, the motives, methods, and possible outcomes of such captures are notably different.

Captured by ISIS: A Torturous Experience

ISIS, or the Islamic State, is not merely a criminal organization but a brutal and fanatical group that employs extreme violence. The methods of execution are horrifying, such as being beheaded or having one's skin removed and burned. The group is significantly different from a Mexican drug cartel in that its members are religious zealots rather than professional mercenaries looking to monetize their activities. The thought of being subjected to such atrocities is more terrifying than one can imagine.

Motivations and Methods: Mexican Cartels

On the other hand, Mexican drug cartels are driven primarily by financial gain, rather than religious zeal. Their members are often motivated by the promise of money, whether it be to support themselves, their families, or simply to fill their pockets. Unlike ISIS, Mexican cartel members are more focused on survival and profit. While they still engage in violence, the methods and motivations differ significantly.

Lifelines and Language: The Advantage of Captivity in a Mexican Cartel

One factor to consider is the language and cultural context. If you were captured by a Mexican drug cartel, the chances are that there would be someone who speaks Spanish nearby, offering a chance to communicate and perhaps even plea. This factor can’t be underestimated, as it provides a connection that might not be available in the foreign, hostile environment of ISIS territory.

The Optimal Choice: Drug Cartels for Survival

The choice between being captured by a drug cartel or ISIS depends on the specific situation. For a typical individual, like a tourist or an innocent bystander, the odds of survival are significantly higher in a drug cartel. This is not because the cartel is inherently less brutal, but rather because their primary objective is to make money, and they are less likely to execute someone immediately. Furthermore, a drug cartel might even consider using the captured individual to help them with their operations, offering a potential path to survival.

While it is true that some drug cartels can be extremely violent, such as Los Zetas, the overall likelihood of a quicker death or release is better in a lesser violent cartel than in ISIS. It is also worth considering the different ways these groups deal with their captives. ISIS is crucified, drowned, severed, or even filmed during their brutal processes. On the other hand, a drug cartel might simply rob and discard a kidnapping victim, making survival more probable.

Conclusion: A Worse Fate Than Having Your Head Sawed Off

When weighing the options, the prospect of being captured by a drug cartel, even in a violent organization like Los Zetas, is arguably less horrifying than the slow and agonizing death that ISIS might inflict. The brutal methods of execution and the religious zealotry of ISIS make their captives' fate more certain and certainly more horrific than any cartel in Mexico.

Therefore, if you are faced with the choice, the drug cartel is the less horrifying of the two options. While both are undeniably brutal, the survival chances and the immediate wiping out of pain make the drug cartel a somewhat less terrible choice than ISIS, even if the latter offers a quicker death.