Change Agents with Andy Stumpf cover image

Change Agents with Andy Stumpf

China’s Ties to Mexican Drug Cartels and America’s Next War (with Ed Calderon)

Jan 17, 2024
Ed Calderon, a security specialist and instructor with extensive experience combatting Mexican drug cartels, discusses China's ties to Mexican cartels, fentanyl production and distribution, money laundering, and the potential impact on the US. They also explore the Mexican civil war, the role of drug cartels, and the importance of a strong US-Mexico partnership in addressing these issues.
01:11:28

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Chinese involvement in Mexican drug cartels poses a threat to US national security.
  • US citizens should question how their tax dollars are being used in Mexico and address the root issues of cartel influence and drug trafficking.

Deep dives

The Influence of Mexican Drug Cartels and the Rise of Fentanyl Trafficking

Mexican drug cartels are playing a significant role in supplying the United States with drugs and causing violence and suffering in Mexico. The largest and most violent cartel, the Sinaloa cartel, has been named as the most prolific fentanyl trafficking operation in the world. The primary sources of fentanyl and other related substances are Mexico and China, with more than 100,000 deaths linked to drug overdoses in the US each year. The cartels have become more militarized and politicized, aligning themselves with China and Russia. There is evidence of China's involvement, supplying technology, weapons, and expertise to the cartels. The situation in Mexico is dire, with rampant violence, corruption, and a lack of effective solutions. It is crucial for the US to closely examine its financial support and policies towards Mexico and to address the root issues of cartel influence and drug trafficking.

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