Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena

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

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 cases presented.  We also demonstrate how the government wholly failed to fulfill the promises made in opening statements with respect to the case against Dr. Alvarez Machain, and consider the impact of the now suspect hair and fiber evidence presented by the government.  

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

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 interrogation of Agent Camarena, we discuss the significance of this evidence on our consideration of the case as a whole and how it can inform our analysis of the unanswered and perplexing questions that remain all these years after Agent Camarena's tragic death.   

Episode 63 -- An Academic Analysis of the Long-Term Survival of the Sinaloa Cartel

The longevity of the Sinaloa Cartel, when other cartels have come and gone or splintered, is the subject of a recent academic article that we discuss in this Episode.  
Specifically, we look at the factors that make the CDS an excellent case study. Next, we consider the article's conclusion that four types of governance practices by the CDS contribute to its resilience: judicial, financial, political, and regulatory.
Finally, we ask some questions about the article's conclusions and consider their application to the current CDS, including the divisions between Los Chapitos and the El Mayo faction of the CDS.  
 

Episode 62 -- Public Corruption in Mexico and a Discussion of Manuel Bartlett Diaz

Continuing our discussion from last week, in this Episode, we analyze various statistics, surveys, and other data evidencing the corruption in Mexico and the public's perception of their safety and well-being.  We also look at the Mexico State Rule of Law Index, which not only reflects the adherence to the rule of law in the Mexican state but is also being utilized as a public policy tool by most Mexican state governments.  
We also look briefly at the career of Manuel Bartlett Diaz and the allegations of corruption against him, in addition to the claims of some of his direct involvement in the abduction, interrogation, and/or murder of Agent Camarena.  

Episode 61: A Brief History of the Mexican Government

As issues relating to drugs and Mexican cartels are reported on, become part of candidate platforms, and are discussed by policy-makers and those interested in those policies, many question the role of the Mexican government and its actions, or inaction, toward the cartels.
In this Episode, I provide a brief history of the Mexican government, specifically the reign of the PRI party, the rise of political opposition, and the current state of politics in Mexico.  
The Episode's focus is less on "what" happened than on "why" events unfolded as they did, and how that recognition can inform us in understanding current policies, on both sides of the border, and how those policies can be changed or influenced. 

Episode 60: FBI Agent Michael P. Malone and the Science of the Camarena Case

FBI Agent Michael P. Malone testified as to hair and fiber evidence collected at 881 Lope de Vega and his testimony was a key component of the government's case in all three of the Camarena-related criminal trials.  
Following Agent Malone's analysis and testimony in the Camarena cases, several DOJ investigations and analyses from third parties called into question the testimony and science of Agent Malone, resulting in the exoneration of numerous criminal defendants.  
In this Episode, we examine the investigations into Agent Malone, his scientific methods, and testimony, examine his description of the forensic analysis at Lope de Vega, and his own statements on the impact of his trial testimony.  The Episode concludes with an expression of my personal views on the overall prejudicial impact of Agent Malone's testimony.  

Episode 59: The Facts and Enduring Questions About 881 Lope de Vega

My continuing effort to confront and consider the unanswered questions regarding the Camarena case leads to this Episode's discussion of the residence at 881 Lope de Vega.  By examining the ownership history of the residence, the forensics from the house, and the relevant phone records, we can draw some conclusions about the events at Lope de Vega on February 7 and 8, 1985.  And, as often is the case, we raise a few new questions as well.

Episode 58: Who Ordered the Kidnapping of Agent Camarena?

It is remarkable that 38 years after the abduction, torture, and murder of DEA Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena significant questions remain as to some of the most fundamental elements of the crime.  
In this Episode, we examine the main theories on the question of who ordered Agent Camarena's abduction, providing evidence and reasoning both for and against the prominent arguments.  

Episode 57: Narcos: Mexico and the Camarena Case -- Setting the Record Straight (Part 2)

Narcos: Mexico portrayed many events relating to the Camarena case in such a manner that some likely believe all of those events are true and occurred as depicted.  
As we continue to investigate the Camarena case and seek answers to lingering questions, it is important to separate dramatic license from actual events.
In this episode, we look at the depictions of the kidnapping of Agent Camarena, the interrogations at Lope de Vega, and the confrontation at the Guadalajara airport, separating fact and fiction, and explaining the significance of these events in particular.  

Episode 56: Narcos: Mexico – Setting the Record Straight (Part 1)

Narcos: Mexico presented, over the course of three seasons, a dramatic account of the kidnapping and murder of Agent Camarena and the growth of Mexican drug trafficking.  Despite clearly being a dramatization based on certain real events, some people accept as true things events presented in Narcos: Mexico that are partially dramatized or even complete fiction.
In this Episode, we look at some of the depictions in Narcos: Mexico relating to the Camarena case, strip away the dramatizations, and present a clear demarcation between fact and fiction.