New Era of Cartel War: 10,000 Troops Deployed, Drone Attacks & Sinaloa Cartel Collapse | Ed Calderon

On today's episode, Vince welcomes back security expert and former Mexican law enforcement officer Ed Calderon to discuss Claudia Sheinbaum’s decision to send 10,000 Mexican troops to the U.S. border. They also explore the implications of this move, the response from Mayo Zambada and the Sinaloa Cartel, and how it may affect cartel operations. The conversation also covers perspectives from Mexican citizens and cartel members on Donald Trump and how his policies influence dynamics at the border. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972 Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: 00:00:00 The BRUTAL Reality of U.S.-Mexico Joint Operations Against Cartels 00:02:22 Inside the Government and the Drug War 00:04:44 Border Security Challenges and Smuggling Tactics 00:07:04 Costs and Methods of Crossing the US Border 00:09:25 Drug Trafficking Tunnels on the US-Mexico Border 00:11:53 Government's Fear of Cartel Influence 00:14:25 Shifting Tactics of Cartel Forces in Mexico 00:16:53 Drone Warfare and Cartel Strategies 00:19:05 Understanding Modern Cartel Dynamics 00:21:34 The Fragmentation of Mexican Cartels 00:23:51 Changes in Mexican Cartel Dynamics 00:26:00 The Role of the National Guard and Militarization in Mexico 00:28:23 Political Corruption in Mexico: A Continuation 00:30:40 Tensions at the US-Mexico Border: Legal Immigrants' Challenges 00:33:00 US Military Presence in Mexico 00:35:19 US and Mexico's Cartel Conflict 00:37:49 Differences Between Cartels and Gangs 00:40:04 The Complexity of Cartels and Terrorist Designations 00:42:42 Evolution of Criminal Organizations in Mexico 00:45:28 US Direct Actions and Drone Strikes in Mexico: Possibilities and Implications 00:47:53 Mexican Government's Reaction to High-Level Cartel Arrest 00:50:20 Political Assassinations and Cartel Influence in Mexico 00:52:46 Political Influence and Corruption in Mexico