There's been an explosion of violence in Mexico. The government is cracking down heavily on drug cartels and organized crime, but criminals are fighting back. Nearly 5,000 people were killed last year alone.

The violence touches some of the smallest towns and villages in the country, including a pretty, cobblestoned town in the mountains of Veracruz called Altotonga. Conrad Fox visited the town and he sent us this report.

Music for this show ...