by Cordo
I see in your picture that Cartels are engaging in a northern City strategy. I prevailed once in a 2-player game (no bots) with such a strategy - it was risky, but a lot of fun.
It's hard to see but his bases in Cartegena and Santa Marta are stacked, so Cartels has two bases in each of those cites, and also two basis in the not pictured overflow space for Cali. Two other bases in other government cities totals 8 bases. This was all motivated partially by the desire to get away from FARC kidnapping, but I believe he is also trying to position himself for Narco-Subs.