Cartels, Conspiracies, and 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.

Episode 55 -- The (Other) Knights Templar

The Knights Templar cartel formed as from a split in leadership of La Familiar Michoacana, and it left a lasting impression from its short reign.  The Knights Templar history is filled with stories of their strict Code of Conduct, drug rehabilitation centers, and graphic violence.  It is even alleged that their induction ceremonies included extensive costumes and the eating of hearts.  
This Episode provides a historical recap of the Knights Templar and draws some parallels between their ultimate demise and the fall of other cartels.  

Episode 54: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of La Familia Michoacana

The short reign of La Familia Michoacana as a key Mexican cartel was distinguished by their rapid growth, violent nature, and "unique" leaders, including the bible carrying Nazario Moreno González, known as El Más Loco ("The Craziest One"), and José de Jesús Méndez Vargas alias El Chango ("The Monkey" or "The Ape").
La Familia long had a fractured power structure which, together with defections to the Knights Templar, precipitated the cartel's demise.
In recent years, a new La Familia Michoacana has announced its presence in parts of Mexico City and in Michoacan, where its methamphetamine business may be opposed by CJNG's aggressive growth in that state.
This episode explores the rise and fall of La Familia Michoacana, examines its leaders, and details the cartel's rebirth.  

Episode 53: The Indictments of Los Chapitos and What They Really Mean

The recent announcement by the Department of Justice of indictments in three federal courts of Los Chapitos and many of their associates was accompanied by significant detail on the Los Chapitos organization and the efforts of the DEA to infiltrate that organization.  
In this Episode, we look at the indictments themselves, the statements of the DOJ, and the materials presented by the DEA detailing the Los Chapitos organization.  We then look at what the indictments and the DEA investigations mean to many central figures in the drug trade, on both sides of the border.  

Episode 52 -- The Three ”Zs” and the Ironic Downfall of Los Zetas

Led primarily by two former members of the Mexican special forces, Arturo Guzmán Decena and Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano, designated Z-1 and Z-3, respectively, the Zetas started as the military wing of the Gulf Cartel and became a fierce cartel, driven by military tactics and ruthless aggression.  This Episode explores how, despite their miliary elements, internal fractionalization and external threats arising from their merciless actions led to the rapid downfall of the once-feared cartel.  Today, Los Zetas are gone and all that remains are isolated factions and groups claiming, without much effect, to be its successors.