Beste Cartels Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 113: What Does the US Election Mean for Mexico and Mexico's Cartels? 38:30

8d ago38:30

38:30

One week after the election of Donald Trump, we are getting an idea of some of the policies his administration will adopt that likely will affect the US's relationship with Mexico and both countries' concerns with the cartels and drug trafficking. In this Episode, I assess some of these potential policies of the next Trump administration and the em…

1
Episode 112: The Extraordinary Case of El Azul 37:01

17d ago37:01

37:01

Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno, aka El Azul, may not be the most known of the drug traffickers in Mexico's cartel history but he had one of the most interesting careers, which I discuss in this Episode. Born in the same town as El Chapo, El Azul worked for the DFS, is credited as being a leader in the so-called Guadalajara Cartel, and was jailed for …

1
Episode 111: The CDS Civil War -- Scheinbaum's First Month in Office and Rumors of an Unexpected Alliance 41:14

21d ago41:14

41:14

In this Episode, I update the ongoing battle within the CDS between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, now under the control of Mayito Flaco by reference to three issues. First, I look at the difficult circumstances encountered by President Scheinbaum in her first month in office. Second, I examine the stark numbers in terms of killed, injured, and missin…

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Episode 110: The Trial of El Menchito 49:15

2M ago49:15

49:15

In this Episode, I re-cap the recent news and events in the ongoing war between Los Chapitos and MZ in Culiacan. Then I discuss the trial of El Menchito who was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia this week. In particular, I examine the witnesses against El Menchito, including cooperating witnesses with both reasons to…

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Episode 109: Did Mayito Flaco Declare War on Los Chapitos? 15:46

2M ago15:46

15:46

In this news report Episode, we discuss the violent confrontations between "armed civilians" rocking Culiacan since early morning. Most significantly, we look at the many reports of audio recordings confirming that Ismael Zambada Sicairos ("Mayito Flaco"), the presumed leader of the Mayo Zambada faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, has authorized or inst…

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Episode 108: What Happened in Culiacan and the El Mayo Case Keeps Getting "Curiouser and Curiouser" 20:31

3M ago20:31

20:31

In this Labor Day edition of the podcast, I look at three interesting developments in the last few days. First, I discuss Osiel Cardenas Guillen's release from federal prison. Specifically, I discuss the fact that he was placed in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the reports that he will be turned over to Mexican authorities o…

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Episode 107: Who Really are Government Witnesses Jorge Godoy and Rene Lopez Romero? 49:30

3M ago49:30

49:30

The government's case in the Zuno II trial rested largely on the testimony of two former Jalisco State Police officers, Jorge Godoy and Rene Lopez Romero. In this Episode, I look into the backgrounds of these two men and specifically discuss their admissions to having been employed by Ernesto Fonseca and witnesses to and participants in various cri…

1
Episode 106: Neither the Alleged Conspiracy Meetings nor the Witnesses are Credible 50:07

3M ago50:07

50:07

In the two Zuno trials, prosecution witness testified to several alleged conspiracy meetings to discuss and plan the abduction of Agent Camarena. In this episode, we assess the credibility of those allegations and of the witnesses themselves. Specifically, we discuss the number of alleged meetings (as many as 10 over 3-4 months), the number of peop…

1
Episode 105: The Camarena Abduction: Reaching Some Conclusions 42:27

3M ago42:27

42:27

Today's Episode concludes my three-part analysis of the abduction of Agent Camarena from outside the America consulate. Specifically, in this Episode I reach some conclusions regarding the abduction including conclusions regarding the participation and statements of Rene Lopez Romero, the veracity of Agent Berrellez's discussions on the abduction, …

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Episode 103: The El Mayo Arrest: Reports, Rumors, and Analysis 44:51

4M ago44:51

44:51

Again this week, the arrests of El Mayo and Joaquin Guzman Lopez have dominated the cartel-related conversation. In this Episode, I look at the latest reports and rumors regarding the events that lead to the plane carrying El Mayo and Joaquin landing in New Mexico and the two men being taken into custody. I then discuss the possible power vacuum cr…

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Episode 103: El Mayo Arrested: What Happened and What It Means 1:00:33

4M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

The HUGE news this week was the arrest of Ismael Zambada (El Mayo), a leader and founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of El Chapo and one of Los Chapitos. In this Episode, I discuss the known facts about the arrests and consider the primary theories on how the arrests occurred. I also look at what the arrests could mean for …

1
Episode 102: The Camarena Kidnapping: The Inconsistent and Irreconcilable "Witnesses" 45:32

4M ago45:32

45:32

Many of the alleged witnesses to the abduction of Agent Camarena case provide narratives of the abduction that are both inconsistent over time and irreconcilable with each other. In this Episode, I explore these inconsistencies focusing in particular on the names of the alleged participants, descriptions of the abduction location, and the some of t…

1
Episode 101: The Camarena Kidnapping: The Timeframes That Don't Add Up 38:14

4M ago38:14

38:14

In this Episode, I examine the abduction of Agent Camarena, focusing particularly on the timeline of events surrounding the abduction. Initially, I discuss the known facts that present a narrow, and very specific, time frame when the abduction could have occurred. Next, I look at the statements of alleged witnesses and others regarding the timeline…

1
Episode 100: Back to Where We Started: The Conundrum that is the Camarena Case 58:33

5M ago58:33

58:33

In this special Episode, my 100th, I reflect back on to the Camarena case and look forward to efforts to clear the record of false narratives and blatant misrepresentations about the case. Specifically, in this Episode, I discuss some of the reasons why the Camarena case is highly personal to me. I also reflect on the need to resolve some unanswere…

1
Episode 99: A Half Year News Recap 27:44

5M ago27:44

27:44

In this abbreviated, Father's Day Episode, I discuss a few of the topics focused on in the last few months and add new information or perspectives. Specifically, I look at the "final" results from the Mexican elections and discuss the near super majority of the MORENA party in Mexico's Congress. I also examine the continuing responses by the Mexica…

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Episode 98: The Mexican Elections: What Happened and What Does It Mean? 43:56

5M ago43:56

43:56

Mexico's national elections on June2 were historic in many respects. Most significantly is that Mexico elected its first woman, and first Jewish, President, and did so by an unprecedented margin. In this Episode, I discuss the election and look toward Mexico's future by discussing the reaction of the Mexican markets to Mrs. Scheinbaum's election an…

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Episode 97: Mexico's Elections -- What's Really at Stake? 35:28

6M ago35:28

35:28

On June 2, Medico is likely to elect the first female President in a North American country. In addition to electing a President, the elections will fill the 628 seats of the bicameral federal Congress, eight state governorships, the Mexico City mayorship, and more than 20,000 local offices. In this Episode, I consider the Mexican elections by look…

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Episode 96: Maxican Money Laundering in the United States -- Analysis and Proposals for Reform 33:17

6M ago33:17

33:17

The efforts of Mexican cartels to launder the hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit profits in the U.S. have been a focus of law enforcement and regulators on both sides of the border. In this Episode, I discuss an analysis of those laundering efforts published in the Journal of Illicit Economies and Development. The article, among other topic…

1
Episode 95: The DEA's National Drug Threat Assessment 2024 52:30

6M ago52:30

52:30

Last week, the DEA presented its annual National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA). In this Episode, I discuss some of the more significant observations in the NDTA. Specifically, I look at the NDTA's description of the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels, including their leadership structures, drug trafficking patterns, international presences, and other ille…

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Episode 94: Mexican Cartels and the Use of Social Media 46:22

7M ago46:22

46:22

The use of social media has become an integral part of the operation of Mexican cartels and has expanded their reach and influence in new and profound ways. In this Episode, I look at the narrative themes in the cartel's social media presence, as well at the specific operational strategies and objectives fueled by social media. I also examine the C…

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Episode 93: The Arrest of El Mencho's (Other) Brother 23:36

7M ago23:36

23:36

This last week, news reports highlighted the arrest of Abraham Oseguera Cervantes (alias "Don Rondo"), the older brother of CJNG leader El Mencho. In this Episode, I discuss not only Don Rondo's arrest but also the arrest of other relatives of El Mencho, including another brother (El Tony Montana), his son, daughter, and wife. Specifically, I discu…

1
Episode 92: Operation Plaza Strike: The Nogales Plaza and Plaza Boss Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela 36:50

7M ago36:50

36:50

Earlier this month, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the implementation of Operation Border Spike, which it called the next step in the CBP's strategy to combat fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. Operation Border Spike begins with a focus on the Nogales, Sonora plaza and the plaza's boss. In this Episode, I give a brief overview of…

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Episode 91: Ciudad Juarez -- It's History, Cartel Influences, and Future 47:33

7M ago47:33

47:33

One of the more profound impacts of the Cartel wars has been the focus on the violence in many areas of the country, and corresponding diminishing attention to Mexico's rich and diverse history, culture, and economy. In this Episode, I look at this concept through the lens of Ciudad Juarez. Specifically, I examine the city's fascinating history, as…

1
Episode 90: The Fentanyl Crisis and the Politics of the United States and Mexico 42:50

8M ago42:50

42:50

I frequently get asked what I the major issues in the fight against the Mexican cartels and the fentanyl crisis. In response, in addition to other issues, I often talk about the demand for illegal drugs in the United States and elsewhere and the economic realities in much of Mexico that precipitate participation in the cartels. Recently, I read two…

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Episode 89 -- ADX Supermax -- El Chapo and Beyond 41:29

8M ago41:29

41:29

Last week, while on a spring trip road trip with my daughter, we passed by the town of Florence, Colorado and ADX Supermax, the most secure prison in the country, housing our most dangerous and notorious prisoners, including infamous former cartel leader, El Chapo Guzman. My curiosity spurred, this Episode discusses the impetus for the construction…

1
Episode 88: Bravo Ranch and the Discovery of the Bodies of Camarena and Zavala 40:51

8M ago40:51

40:51

May 5 marked 39 years since the tragic discovery of the bodies of Agent Camarena and Captain Zavala. Since there is a significant amount of disinformation about the discoveries and surrounding events, this Episode provides facts to set the record straight. Initially, we discuss Commandante Pavon Reyes and the kidnapping of Captain Zavala, identifyi…

1
Episode 87: Impacts from the AMLO Investigation Reports 32:06

9M ago32:06

32:06

In an early January episode, I discussed the just-released reports that claimed the DEA had investigated information that drug traffickers had funneled millions of dollars into the 2006 presidential campaign of current Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. In that discussion, we questioned the impact of those reports could have on bilatera…

1
Episode 86: China's Connection to the Mexican Cartels 47:52

9M ago47:52

47:52

China's role in the drug trafficking enterprises of the Mexican cartels is often discussed, but often without significant specificity or detail. In this Episode, I explore the services provided by Chinese criminal organizations to the cartels, prominently in the supply of precursor chemicals and in money laundering. I also look at the role of the C…

1
Episode 85: The Many Lives of Los Zetas and Fight for Control of Tamaulipas 39:42

9M ago39:42

39:42

In the ever-changing world of Mexican cartels, it often is hard to "know the players without a scorecard." Such is the case as cartels battle for control of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and the lucrative border town of Nuevo Laredo. In this Episode, I trace the lineage of the infamous Los Zetas cartel to one of the prime combatants in Nuevo Lare…

1
Episode 84: Did Narco Traffickers Partially Fund an AMLO Presidential Campaign ? 57:22

10M ago57:22

57:22

Recent headlines trumpeted reports that the DEA head investigated allegations that narco traffickers had provided millions of dollars to a presidential campaign of current Mexican President Andres Manual Lopez Obrador ("AMLO"). In this Episode, I examine the reports of the DEA's investigation into the allegations that the traffickers provided funds…

1
Episode 83: A Fresh Look at Recent Event in Mexico 43:34

10M ago43:34

43:34

The ongoing battles between CDS, CJNG, and the military for control of the Mexican state of Chiapas have been widely reported in the news for the last few weeks. In this Episode, I look into the crisis in Chiapas by tying together various events occurring over the better part of the last decade to understand what led to the current events. In parti…

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Episode 82: A Retired FBI Agent’s Inside Look into the World of MS-13 49:33

10M ago49:33

49:33

Daniel Brunner boasts an impressive 29 years of combined service in federal law enforcement and the U.S. Navy. Serving 20 years as a Special Agent in the FBI, Mr. Brunner developed a wide area of expertise including vital Latin and South American geopolitical subjects, encompassing facets such as China's involvement, organized crime ranging from ga…

1
Episode 81: The Enigma that is Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros (Part 2) 43:17

11M ago43:17

43:17

For the first episode of 2024, I conclude our examination into the life and career of Honduran trafficker Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros. In this Episode, I look at the allegations connecting Matta to the Camarena kidnapping, including his alleged presence at Lope de Vega and his escape from Mexico City shortly after the Camarena abduction. I also ex…

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Episode 80: The Enigma That is Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros (Part 1) 44:31

12M ago44:31

44:31

Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros played a pivotal role in the expansion of drug trafficking from Colombia to Mexico and to the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. Moreover, many allege he and his company were significant actors in the U.S.'s proxy war in support of the Contras seeking to overthrow Nicaragua's Sandinista government. Matta also may hav…

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Episode 79: The Capture of El Nini and Other Key Recent Events 32:18

12M ago32:18

32:18

Last Wednesday, El Nini, the head of security for Los Chapitos and head of Los Ninis, was arrested in a mid-day raid on a house in Culiacan. In this Episode, we examine the capture of El Nini and, most significantly, we discuss the possible reasons behind his capture and its timing. Notably, we discuss suggestions that his capture was part of a sec…

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Episode 78: Amado Carrillo Fuentes - Who Was He, What Did He Do, and is He Still Alive? 41:06

1y ago41:06

41:06

My recent viewing of season 3 of Narcos: Mexico, which features Amado Carrillo Fuentes in one storyline, coupled with recent discussions about his death, led me to look more into the life, career, and death of The Lord of the Skies. In this episode, we look at Amado's rise from one of twelve children in Sinaloa, to the tutelage he received from old…

1
Episode 77: A 1986 US Embassy Memo on the Mexican Legal System and the Camarena Case 32:25

1y ago32:25

32:25

A September 1986 memorandum from the US Embassy in Mexico City to the State Department in Washington D.C. sought to "clear up some of the confusion that has been created by efforts to explain Mexican legal proceedings using US definitions" and to "promote a greater understanding of the differences between the Mexican and U.S. legal systems." In thi…

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Episode 76: Using Social Networking Analysis to Understand Mexican Cartels and the Nature and Strengths of CDS and CJNG 40:01

1y ago40:01

40:01

Policy decisions regarding Mexican cartels should be driven by careful analysis coupled with a deep understanding of the cartel network structure in Mexico and its primary actors, i.e., CJNG and CDS. Social network analysis is a tool that can be used to evaluate these critical issues. In this Episode, we discuss social network analysis and recent r…

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Episode 75: More Analysis of the Crisis of Guns Trafficked to Mexico and the Subjective Nature of the Truth 48:23

1y ago48:23

48:23

In this Episode, we discuss some current events including the devastation in and around Acapulco caused by Hurrican Otis and the end of Red Ribbon Week. We then look at the Biden administration's announced intent to complete part of the border wall in Starr County, Texas. Next, we add to the discussion last week about the trafficking of guns and ot…

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Episode 74: Guns In Mexico: Accepting the Disturbing Truths 35:14

1y ago35:14

35:14

The prolific trafficking of guns and weapons from the U.S. into Mexico is a significant and tragically overlooked issue in the war on drugs and the Mexican cartels. The easy access to a legal inventory of guns in Texas and other state and lucrative prices on the secondary market has flooded some Mexican border towns – including remarkably violent o…

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Episode 73: US Military Action Against Mexican Cartels: The Threats and the Realities 34:13

1y ago34:13

34:13

In this Episode, we look at the political dialogue surrounding the possible use of US military forces against Mexican cartels, as part of the effort to address the fentanyl crisis. The pledges of Republican presidential candidates are examined, as well as the role of a Congressional committee investigating the issue. We also consider some of the di…

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Episode 72: More on the Extradition of Ovidio Guzman and an Analysis of the Varied Factors Impacting Cartels and Drug Trafficking 40:10

1y ago40:10

40:10

In today's Episode, we share some additional thoughts and information on Ovidio Guzman, his extradition, the speed of the extradition process, and what might be expected going forward. Next, we look at three recent articles discussing different aspects of cartels and the drug trade. One article describes the socio-economic factors driving Mexican y…

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Episode 71: The Extradition of Ovidio Guzman -- What Happened and What It Means 29:22

1y ago29:22

29:22

In this Episode, we look at the September 15 extradition of Ovidio Guzman and his plea of not guilty in a Chicago federal court. We also examine the impacts his prosecution may have had, or later have, on the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Chapitos, the flow of drugs, including fentanyl, into the U.S., and our understanding of the growth and survival of carte…

1
Episode 70: Intriguing Observations from Additional Testimony in the Camarena Criminal Trials 53:52

1y ago53:52

53:52

In this Episode, we conclude our look at the testimony in the 1990 and 1992 criminal trials by looking at some miscellaneous testimony from the 1990 trial. In particular, we look at testimony regarding the identities of the major traffickers in Guadalajara at the time of the Camarena abduction, the capture of Caro Quintero in Costa Rica, the discov…

1
Episode 69 -- The 1990 Trial Testimony of Hector Berrellez 54:11

1y ago54:11

54:11

In this Episode, we examine the testimony of Hector Berrellez in the 1990 criminal trial (Zuno I), including testimony relating to statements made by Juan Jose Bernabe Ramirez about an argument between Caro and Fonseca at Lope de Vega. Most importantly, though, we use Agent Berrellez's testimony to further analyze the role of Garate Bustamonte in s…

1
Episode 68: The Testimony of Lawrence Victor Harrison Part 2 and a New ”Claim” from Hector Berrellez. 43:29

1y ago43:29

43:29

In this Episode, we examine the testimony of Lawrence Victor Harrison in the 1992 Zuno II trial. Among other issues, this testimony provides an opportunity to consider the government's use of paid witnesses and the critical role of Garate Bustamonte in securing those witness. We then look at a "new" claim from Agent Berrellez on why, according to h…

1
Episode 67: The Testimony of the Enigma that was Lawrence Victor Harrison 57:50

1+ y ago57:50

57:50

Lawrence Victor Harrison was a man of several names and many (possible) roles -- Berkley student, Mexican lawyer, communications guru to the traffickers and Mexican police, and even CIA agent. In this Episode, we break down the trial testimony of Harrison and see what it says about the traffickers and their relationships with each other, the limite…

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Episode 66 -- The Troubling Trial Testimonies of Traffickers Enrique Plascencia Aguilar and Frank Retamoza 36:35

1+ y ago36:35

36:35

We continue our examination of the transcripts from the Zuno I and Zuno II trials by considering the testimonies of traffickers Enrique Plascencia Aguilar and Frank Retamoza. Plascencia's testimony includes details about the events at La Longosta that may be seen as inconsistent with the accepted narrative. In addition, his testimony regarding a De…

1
Episode 65: The Zuno Trials -- A Tale of Two Prosecutions 49:46

1+ y ago49:46

49:46

This week we start a comprehensive review of the two Zuno trials using trial transcripts to look at the claims made by the prosecution and the actual, unfiltered testimony of government and defense witnesses. In this Episode, we examine the government's opening statements in the two trials and consider the intrinsically contradictory nature of the …

1
Episode 64 -- The ”Secret” Roles of Javier Barba Hernandez and Tomas Morlet in the Camarena Case 40:44

1+ y ago40:44

40:44

As we continue to address many of the unanswered questions regarding the kidnapping, interrogation, and murder of Agent Camarena, in this Episode we look at the possible roles of lawyer turned drug trafficker Javier Barba Hernandez and DFS Agent Tomas Morlet. In addition to looking at the evidence connecting these men to the kidnapping and interrog…

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