of the cartel in sonora with a neighboring one from chihuahua but family members say it was deliberate. >> all we know it was on purpose. it wasn't an accident. they weren't in the wrong place at the wrong time. we don't believe that is the truth. they were attacking when they attacked. >> reporter: this as donald trump and others in washington push for more involvement in the fight against the cartel saying the us is ready to assist but president lopez obrador is refusing any aid saying it is not an option holding onto a policy calls -- hugs, not bullets. this comes at a time when cartel violence is spiraling out of control, nearly 36,000 people were murdered in mexico last year than most on record this year. they are on pace to exceed that figure 5%. then there is this.