Drug cartels in Mexico are actively encouraging desertions among Mexican soldiers engaged in an extended battle over the drug trade, the Washington Post reported May 7.

Los Zetas, a hit squad employed by the Gulf drug cartel, recently hung a banner over a main street in the city of Nuevo Laredo offering a "good salary, food and medical care for your families" for any soldier or former soldier who joined their group. The banner also promised that soldiers would not be fed instant noodle soup -- a dig at the poor quality food received by Mexican troops.

A similar sign in the city of Tampico promises deserters loans and life insurance.

At least 100,000 soldiers have deserted the Mexican military over the past eight years.

"The cartels are very good at this -- they've had songs written about them, they put up these signs, they make themselves out to be Robin Hoods," said Carlos Martinez, a Nuevo Laredo community activist. "People like this. We Mexicans like a good joke -- we like to make fun of our problems."

The cartels also exploit the distrust the many poor Mexicans feel toward the military and police. "I trust the Zetas more than the thieving police and soldiers," said Marcelino, 74, who did not give his last name out of fear of retribution. "The police are rats."

Cartels help ensure public loyalty by throwing parties and giving gifts, but murder also is a major tool for keeping people in line. In Ciudad Juarez, for example, cartel members publicized a hit list of 17 police officers in January; at least nine of the men have since been killed.

Former Gen. Jose Francisco Gallardo said that the lack of good jobs for former soldiers makes working for the cartels very tempting. "This is one of the main origins of insecurity in our country," Gallardo said. "These soldiers are lost -- fugitives in their own country -- and they're angry."