Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena

Episode 89 -- ADX Supermax -- El Chapo and Beyond

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 of Supermax, the prisoners placed in Supermax, and how they are segregated within the prison.  Next, we look at the cells and daily lives of prisoners at Supermax face.  Finally, examine some litigation and complaints regarding the prison, including those from El Chapo who says he endures inhumane and unfair conditions.  

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

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, identifying the widely disseminated false narratives. Next, we describe the massacre at Bravo Ranch and the subsequent discovery of the bodies of Agent Camarena and Captain Zavala.  Finally, we examine the reasonable inferences of a conspiracy arising from the Bravo Ranch facts.

Episode 87: Impacts from the AMLO Investigation Reports

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 bilateral relations, especially in light of speculation that they have been leaked by U.S. actors or agencies.
In this Episode, I look at recent claims that the reports in fact have impaired cooperation between the two countries, including pausing a planned operation to capture and arrent CJNG leader El Mencho.
I also look at reports that Genero Garcia Luna, a key figure in the administrations of Presidents Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderon, took a multi-million dollar bribe from El Mayo while serving as the director of the Federal Investigative Agency in the Fox administration.

Episode 86: China's Connection to the Mexican Cartels

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 Chinese government and its potential to disrupt the Chinese organizations aiding the cartels, especially in areas relating to cryptocurrency and other virtual assets.   
Finally, I speculate about the future of the cartel-China relationship by discussing, among other issues, potential conflicts in Europe and possible fractionization of the cartel system in Mexico. 

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

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 Laredo, the Cartel del Noreste or CDN. I also discuss other Zeta-related splinter groups, including the Zetas Vieja Escuela, or Old School Zetas.
Finally, I look at the now fractionalized Gulf Cartel, and discuss its several groups, including the Scorpions, Cyclones, Metros, and Rojos, including their interactions and common grounds.

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

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 to AMLO's 2006 campaign. To do so, I look at the state of Mexican politics and cartels in 2006, describe the key figures in the alleged cooperation between the traffickers and the AMLO campaign, and walk through the investigation itself. Finally, I speculate on what these revelations could mean for Mexican-American relations and cooperation in the fight against the cartels, now and in the future.

Episode 83: A Fresh Look at Recent Event in Mexico

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 particular, I look at the fracture between the Los Chapitos and El Mayo factions of CDS that arose in the aftermath of the arrest and extradition of El Chapo.  I then consider the capture of Ovidio Guzman and the apparent peace treaty between El Mayo and Los Chapitos, and reveal the events of the last year evidencing that treaty, including the capture of El Nini. Finally, I discuss how these events have led to the CJNG and CDS battles in Chiapas.  

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

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 gangs to cartels, nuances of local business practices, corruption, the prevailing political atmosphere, and intricate local due diligence.
In particular, Mr. Brunner, working with other federal agencies and the offices of the U.S. Attorneys, investigated the criminal enterprise known as MS-13 and was able to utilize RICO to charge numerous members of MS-13, not only for individual crimes but also for participating in the broader criminal activities of the gang as a whole. 
In this Episode, Mr. Brunner discusses the rise of MS-13 as an international criminal organization, its evolution over time, the relationship between MS-13 and the Mexican cartels, and the efforts of law enforcement to bring MS-13 to justice.

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

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 examine his role in connecting Felix Gallardo with the cocaine traffickers from Colombia.
Matta's connection to the Honduran airline company SETCO also is discussed, as well as his alleged relationship with the CIA.
Finally, I look at Matta's legacy, the tremendous breadth of his connections and influence, and I discuss a personal conversation I had with Matta.

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

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 have been involved in the kidnapping and murder of DEA Agent Kiki Camarena.
In this Episode, the first of two, we look at Matta's upbringing and his introduction to crime. We also investigate Matta's deep connection to the Honduran military and its role in Matta's rise to being a prolific trafficker. Finally, the Episode discusses Matta's capture in Apil 1988, his transportation to the United States, and the criminal proceedings against him.