Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena

Episode 102: The Camarena Kidnapping: The Inconsistent and Irreconcilable "Witnesses"

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 the alleged details about the abduction, including the alleged participation of a consulate employee who, one alleged witness claims, identified Agent Camarena to his abductors.   

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

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 for the abduction.  This analysis demonstrates that none of these statements appear to fit within the required timeframe, calling into question the veracity and credibility of these sources.

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

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 unanswered issues surrounding the case in order to honor the legacy of Agent Camarena and to respect the legacy of those who worked with Agent Camarena, those who searched for him, and those who sought to bring his killers to justice.
I then consider the false narratives around the case, including those presented by the government in the prosecution of Ruben Zuno Arce and others.
Finally, I reflect on the false and malicious claims made by Agent Berrellez and his so-called witnesses in The Last Narc and elsewhere.

Episode 99: A Half Year News Recap

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 Mexican markets to MORENA's dominance in the elections. 
I also discuss institutional reforms proposed by AMLO, which President-elect Sheinbaum seems to support.
I also consider recent data indicating that 2023 was the first year in many to experience a decrease in the number of drug overdoses and propose possible explanations for that change.
Finally, I look at recent reports that both El Mayo and El Mencho are close to death and consider the potential ramifications if one or both of these cartel leaders passes. 

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

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 and evaluating how her presidency could impact Mexico's relationship with the United States. I also consider how outgoing President Lopez Obrador could influence Mexican policies even after he leaves office.
Finally, I try to distill the myriad factors to assess potential changes in the Mexican government's efforts to combat the cartels.     

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

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 looking at the two primary candidates for the presidency and their positions on key issues.  I also look the violence in the lead up to the elections, and the role of the cartels in the electoral process.  Finally, I address AMLO's role as the outgoing President, and what it says about Mexico's democracy, today and in the future.  

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

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 topics, details incidents of corruption at the highest levels of the Mexican government. The article also discusses the money laundering statutes in the United States. 
The article provides a case study of money laundering by Los Zetas through the quarter horse racing industry in the U.S.  The authors then present several examples of systemics corruption in the Mexican government at the state level. 
Finally, we discuss the six proposals for reform the authors suggest might assist in stemming the flow of illicit funds into the U.S.  

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

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 illegal activities.
I also present the NDTA's findings on the illegal drug threats in the United States, identified by seizures and overdose deaths.  

Episode 94: Mexican Cartels and the Use of Social Media

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 Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2023, a bill currently pending in Congress.
Finally, I discuss current trends in cartels' social media use, and the propaganda "boosts" often unintentionally provided to cartels by news and other media outlets.
 

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

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 discuss the often overly dramatic and misleading press reports surrounding these arrests and I examine the utility of this approach, one that has been used by the U.S. and Mexican governments, as well as those in other Latin American countries.