Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena

Episode 117: A Conversation with James Kuykendall

In this Episode, I discuss the Camarena case with James Kuykendall. Significantly, in addition to discussing some little-known facts about the case, Mr. Kuykendall directly addresses many claims, rumors, and inuendo, including many raised by Hector Berrellez and others in The Last Narc.  

Episode 116: The Re-Arrest of El Min Licenciado and America's Failed Policy

In this Episode I discuss the recent re-arrest of El Mini Licenciado who had been given an early release from federal custody as a reward for information on drug traffickers and the Sinaloa Cartel and, most importantly, his testimony against El Chapo.  
I also examine the long-standing policy of the US and the DOJ to "reward" narco traffickers who provide information deemed valuable to the government. Specifically, I consider whether this policy has yielded results sufficient to justify its costs. 

Episode 115: Was Joaquin's Betrayal of El Mayo Part of a Long-Term Plan by El Chapo?

In this Episode, I first discuss the widespread costs in Culiacan as a result of the CDS civil war, including an estimated $1 billion lost by Culiacan-area business.
Next, I discuss reports that the plan for Joaquin to betray El Mayo and arrange his rendition to the U.S. was the result of El Chapo's long held desire for his sons to turn themselves in for better deals and to secure better lives.  I also look into the reports that those concerns were heightened with the 2023 arrest of Ovidio. 
Finally, I address reports of an alliance between Los Chapitos and CJNG, including the belief of some that the alliance will place Ivan Archivaldo at the pinnacle of Mexican drug traffickers.  
 

Episode 114: Leo Silva and the Los Zetas Reign of Terror

Retired DEA Agent Leo Silva has written a fascinating book titled "Reign of Terror" chronicling the rise and fall of Los Zetas.
In this Episode, Leo and I discuss his book, his career in the DEA, and his inside view of the ascendence of Los Zetas and the factors that lead to their demise.  During our discussion, Leo shares personal insights revealing the enormous cost of the fight to bring down Los Zetas -- on both sides of the border.  

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

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 emerging policies of the Scheinbaum administration.  Specifically, I look at border policies in general, the potential designation of cartels as terrorist groups, economic policies, mass deportations, and a variety of political issues in Mexico.  

Episode 112: The Extraordinary Case of El Azul

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 his involvement in the murder of Agent Kiki Camarena.
After his release from jail, El Azul worked in the Juarez Cartel alongside Amado Carrillo Fuentes, was said to be a consigliere to El Chapo, a friend of El Mayo, and a leader in CDS. Everywhere he went he was a negotiator and mediator, earning the monicker the "Peacemaker" from US investigators.  
Finally, his reported death in 2014 remains shrouded in controversy, much like that of his former mentor Carillo Fuentes.   

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

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 missing in Sinaloa and how Mexico's military is or may be addressing the violence.
Finally, I discuss various reports that a new alliance has formed or soon may be formed -- an alliance between Los Chapitos and CJNG, possibly including the Morena political party.  

Episode 110: The Trial of El Menchito

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 testify for the government and, in several cases, deep opposition to the CJNG and El Mencho.
Finally, I draw parallels between El Menchito's trial and the trials of Ruben Zuno Arce, and I express my concerns over the potential for the desire for convictions to overwhelm the commitment to justice.  

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

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 instructed his hitmen to attack Los Chapitos in Culiacan. 
We also consider whether this is the "war" some expected after Joaquin Guzman apparently duped El Mayo into a meeting and abducted him, eventually flying El Mayo to the US and into the custody of the FBI.   

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

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 on Monday.
Second, I look into reports that Jorge Humberto Figueroa Benitez (El 27 or El Perris), who, according to some, replaced El Nini, was the one who physically tied up El Mayo and put him in the back of the pickup truck. I also consider whether this indicates a larger role for Los Chapitos in addition to Joaquin, particularly in light of recent stories that Ovidio Guzman has been placed into the witness protection program. 
Finally, we consider the violent clashes in Culiacan late last week, the premature rumors of Ivan's capture, and who the real targets of the Mexican military might have been.