Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena

Episode 129: No Death Penalties and the Possibity of Military Action in Latin America

In this Episode, I look at the recent disclosure of President Trump's directive to the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain Latin American cartels and what it might mean for Mexico and Venezuela.
I then discuss the Department of Justice's recent decision to NOT seek the death penalty in its pending cases against El Mayo, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, and Rafael Caro Quintero.  In particular, I opine on the RCQ decision and what it does for the concept of closure in the Camarena case.
Finally, I announce an indefinite hiatus from the podcast to focus on other matters, while I continue to investigate the Camarena case and other matters.  I also note the re-start of the Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena YouTube channel.  

Episode 128: Updates on Mayo, Ovidio, and Caro and the Turf War Between DEA and HSI

In this Episode, I provide an update on El Mayo's case, discuss Ovidio's guilty plea, and look at the discovery provided by the government to Caro Quintero's defense team.
I then look at the complimentary and sometimes competitive roles of DEA and HSI and examine realignments of responsibilities and oversight proposed by the Trump administration that could place the DEA in a subordinate role to the HSI.  

Episode 127: The CJNG - Los Chapitos Alliance: What is it and What does it Mean?

In this Episode, I examine the CJNG - Los Chapitos alliance, particularly in light of the Chapitos' civil war with La Mayiza.  
Specifically, I discuss reports on the formation of the alliance and the actions that led to its formation. I also look at how the alliance fits with the DEA's Nation Drug threat Assessment's CJNG analysis. Finally, I discuss some empirical evidence of CJNG's response to the CDS civil war, which further illuminate the motivations behind the Chapitos - CJNG alliance.  

Episode 126: The What and Why of the El Chapo Family Members Entering the US

On May 14, seventeen members of El Chapo's family crossed from Tijuana to San Diego where they were met and whisked away by U.S. agents.
In this Episode, I discuss this event, including the identities of some of the family members. In addition, I look at the events that preceded this event, including plea negotiations by Ovidio and Joaquin, a potential split within Los Chapitos, and the reaction of the Mexican government. 
Finally, I discuss the role these events might have played in the apparent alliance between Los Chapitos and CJNG and what it all means for the future of CDS. 
 

Episode 125: Oil Smuggling for the Cartels ... in Utah?

In this Mother's Day episode, I first discuss pea agreement between the U.S. government and Ovidio Guzman and what it really means.
Next, I look at the arrest of a husband and wife from Sandy, Utah, who have been indicted on charges of smuggling and selling oil from Mexico for the benefit of Mexican cartels.  
Finally, I address some shameful comments from retired DEA agent Hector Berrellez.

Episode 124: The Civil Case of Camarena v. Caro-Quintero

In this Episode, I dissect the Complaint in the recently filed federal litigation by the Camarena family against Rafael Caro-Quintero, Ernesto Fonseca, Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, and the Sinaloa Cartel.
In addition to discussing the causes of action and certain jurisdictional elements, I look at the factual allegations in the Complaint to look at several issues relating to the Camarena case.  Specifically, I look at the nature of the so-called Guadalajara Cartel, the motives for the abduction of Agent Camarena, and some unknown or disputed facts relating to Agent Camarena's abduction.  

Episode 123: Inside the Fight for Control of CDS

It has been around 9 months since El Mayo and Joaquin Guzman were flown to the United States and arrested and it's been almost exactly 7 months since the fighting between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza broke out in Culiacan.  
In this Episode, I look at the prevailing theories on the rendition of El Mayo, the structure of CDS, and the key questions asked when the violence started.
I then discuss some recent events, including actions by the followers of Chapo Isidro.  
Finally, I identify the biggest winners and losers thus far in the fight for control of CDS.

Episode 122: The Sentencing of El Menchito and the Impact of Trump's Tariff Threats on Mexico's Fight Against the Cartels

In this Episode, I first discuss some recent news events, including the dismantling of a huge methamphetamine laboratory in Zacatecas,
I then look at the sentencing of El Menchito, the son of CJNG leader El Mencho in a D.C. federal court.
Finally, I discuss some recent reports and articles discussing the ways the Scheinbaum administration is changing the Mexican government's actions against the cartels and the impact on those changes resulting from the tariff threats by the Trump administration.  

Episode 121: Extraditions, Extraditions, and More Extraditions

In this Episode, I look at the recent "extradition" of 29 narcos from Mexico to the United States and identify the most prominent figures who were extradited and the significance of their extraditions.
In particular, I discuss the extradition of Rafael Caro Quintero, and I discuss whether he will face charges relating to kidnapping, interrogation, and murder of Agent Kiki Camarena. I also give my opinion on the person to blame if Caro does not face those charges.
Finally, I provide my conjecture about the motivations of the Mexican government and suggest that President Scheinbaum did not cave to tariff pressures from President Trump but, instead, extradited the narcos as part of her long-term plan for dealing with the cartels.  

Episode 120: Are the Reports of the Demise of CDS Premature?

As Los Chapitos continue to suffer from the arrest and capture of more leaders, and given the reports of Ivan's narrow escapes, many pundits have proclaimed the demise of the Sinaloa Cartel.
In this Episode, I look at the arrests of key leaders within Los Chapitos and discuss the status of Los Chapitos today. I then examine the repercussions of both the disruption in CDS and the possible collapse of Los Chapitos and show how those effects may be felt in all of Latin America, as well as other places in the world. Finally, I hypothesize about what might happen if Ivan is captured and how such a capture might affect the CDS as a whole.