#2369 - Ed Calderon

The discussion led by Ed Calderon reveals the alarming growth and sophistication of Mexican drug cartels, which have evolved into heavily armed, tech-savvy entities involved in a range of criminal activities, including fuel theft, human and arms smuggling, as well as exerting influence over political affairs through corruption and violence.

Mexican Cartels Are now Sophisticated, Tech-Savvy, and Heavily Armed

The new generation cartels are militarized operators in a perpetual state of warfare. These cartels craft makeshift tanks from stolen trucks and implement guerrilla tactics, a tactic introduced by the Zetas. This evolution in warfare capabilities is evident by Mexican cartels' use of drone warfare against military forces, indicating a significant leap in their operational sophistication.

Cartels Expand: Fuel Theft, Human/Arms Smuggling, Political Corruption

Cartels have diversified their criminal portfolios, engaging in activities such as fuel theft—known as "Huachicola" in Mexico—and avocado trafficking. They also participate in human and arms smuggling. These organizations have a transnational reach, demonstrated by their ownership of ports on both sides of the country.

Political infiltration and corruption are prevalent, with cartels influencing elections and local governments. Up to 60 politicians were assassinated during the pre-campaign and campaign periods of the 2024 general and local elections. Cartels' sway over politics is further evidenced by a supposed meeting between the governor of Sinaloa and Sinaloa Cartel leaders, followed by the assassination of a university director.

Escalation in Cartel Violence: Killings, Disappearances, and Brutal Body Disposal Methods

Violence associated with cartels has escalated, with increased killings, disappearances, and horrific body disposal methods such as public hangings from bridges becoming commonplace. In regions previously considered safe, such as Puebla, severed heads have been found, illustrating this menace's spread. This violence extends to open warfare between factions, disrupting everyday life and threatening the innocent.

Cartels Leverage Social Media and Technology For Recruitment, Propaganda, and Operations Coordination

Cartels exploit social media and technology for recruitment and propaganda, with entities like the new generation cartel using TikTok to attract members. Recruitment tactics are aggressive, and training camps for new recruits are militaristic, often led by seasoned military pers ...

Ed Calderon and Joe Rogan delve into the tangled, often contentious relationship between the United States and Mexico, with a focus on controversial U.S. policies and interventions that have fueled the rise of Mexican cartels.

U.S. Policies and Interventions, Including Operation Fast and Furious, Fueled Mexican Cartels' Rise

U.S. Agencies and Cartel Leaders Collusion Allegations

Calderon raises serious concerns regarding the presence of advanced weapons, such as .50 caliber rifles and FN Five-seven pistols, in the hands of Mexican cartel members, tracing their origins to Arizona in the United States. He highlights the botched U.S. government's Operation Fast and Furious, which aimed to track firearms from the U.S. to Mexican cartels but instead allowed firearms to be delivered to these groups with little tracking or significant arrests. Calderon suggests that the operation ultimately contributed to the death of individuals like Border Patrol agent Brian Terry with the very same "American guns that were given to the cartels."

Further complicating matters, Calderon touches upon speculation of collusion between U.S. agencies and Mexican cartel leaders. Joe Rogan introduces a past interview with Freeway Ricky Ross, a former cocaine dealer, extending the allegations of CIA involvement in drug trafficking. Calderon also brings up Kiki Camarena's murder, suggesting that the DEA agent might have uncovered a cannabis plantation linked to the CIA. Testimonies like those by Michael Ruppert, a former narcotics officer, allege direct witnessing and recruitment by the CIA in drug operations.

The discussion alludes to leaked documents revealing Mexican presidents on the CIA's payroll during the Cold War, shaping public perception in Mexico about the CIA's influence and U.S. responsibility for the current state of affairs.

Mexico Blames U.S. For Empowering Cartels With Illegal Weapons Flow

The conversation highlights Mexico's accusations against the U.S. for empowering cartels due to the illegal flow of weapons from American soil. Calderon elucidates this by suggesting that some U.S. conducted operations might have been established with an ulterior motive to destabilize regions or favor certain factions in Mexico.

U.S. and Mexico: Intertwined yet Often At Odds

Calls For More U.S. Intervention in Mexico Spark Sovereignty and Stability Concerns

Calderon speaks openly about the dynamic between the U.S. and Mexico, urging not to view them as adversaries but as close allies. He contextualizes this with current issues such as Americans contributing to gentrification in Mexico City, which has provoked backlash among locals, and ICE raids in Los Angeles. The conversation then turns to the implications of tightened immigration enfor ...

In a discussion, Joe Rogan and Ed Calderon explore the complex implications of U.S. immigration and border policies on both individuals and wider societal trends.

Strict U.S. Immigration Policies Deport Many With Deep U.S. Ties

The conversation highlights the plight of individuals deported from the U.S. who struggle to adapt to life in Mexico after spending decades in the U.S.

Deported Struggle to Adapt In Mexico After Decades Away

Ed Calderon mentions American homeless people in Tijuana, which he implies are there as a result of deportation. Calderon also discusses individuals who appear American but are actually Mexicans recently deported, now living in dire conditions. Rogan references the high number of deportations during the Obama administration, which totaled approximately three million people. These deportees, some of whom had been living in the U.S. since they were very young, now find themselves in adverse circumstances in Mexico, such as residing in shantytowns in Tijuana, despite having careers and families in the U.S. and paying taxes for years.

Allegations U.S. Used Immigration Policy to Incentivize Illegal Immigration for Political Gain

There were suggestions of political motivations behind immigration policies, with the conversation touching upon the possibility that such movements of people could be linked to changing the population demographics for political advantage, such as gaining congressional seats.

Increased Border Security Has Enriched Cartels, Not Stopped Drugs, Guns, and Human Trafficking

Joe Rogan and Ed Calderon talk about the unintended consequences of strict border security. While the intention might be to halt illegal activities, it seems to have enriched the cartels instead. Calderon mentions cartels' activities expanding beyond drugs to include human trafficking, with children being drugged and smuggled to the border. Rogan and Calderon argue that despite border security measures, human trafficking persists, and th ...

Ed Calderon and Joe Rogan discuss the complex and potentially explosive situation of U.S. intervention in Mexico, particularly concerning drug cartels and their designation as terrorist organizations.

U.S. Labels Mexican Drug Cartels as Terrorist Groups, Enabling Stronger Actions

Joe Rogan reflects on the possible consequences if the U.S. doesn't act against the growing power of cartels, while considering the implications of designating them as terrorist groups to authorize stronger measures. President Trump's administration’s labeling of cartels as terrorist organizations set expectations for military action.

Concerns That U.S. Military Intervention in Mexico Could Empower Cartels and Fuel Anti-American Sentiment

Ed Calderon expresses concern that U.S. military operations could inadvertently unite cartels against a common enemy and potentially incite anti-American sentiment. He speculates that direct military action from the U.S., like a surgical operation to capture or eliminate cartel leaders, may consolidate cartels and provoke comprehensive resistance. The narrative around Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, positioned as an international criminal, further illustrates the potential regional scope of U.S. military action beyond Mexico.

Cartel Influence Undermines U.S. Trust in Mexico's Government

Calderon highlights cartels' overt political involvement, with members holding office and influencing politics, as well as active duty Mexican military personnel found in cartel training camps. This becomes a significant factor undermining U.S. trust in Mexico's government.

U.S. Covert Ops and Intel in Mexico Raise Fears of Escalation

The presence of U.S. naval ships off the Mexican coast, American drones over Mexico for intelligence gathering, ...