Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas Drone War on the Border: Ed Calderon Explains Cartels, Venezuela, and Colombia
Nov 3, 2025
In a gripping discussion, Ed Calderón, a former Mexican law enforcement officer, reveals the chilling evolution of cartels into paramilitary forces, highlighting the use of weaponized drone swarms and child recruits in rural Mexico. He examines the alarming rise of drone attacks, arms trafficking routes linked to Europe, and the risks posed to U.S. interests. Calderón also delves into the geopolitical dynamics of Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, raising concerns about local perceptions of cartels and their role in communities. It's a stark look at the unfolding threats along the border.
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Cartels Embrace Military Tech
- Cartels are evolving into hyper-militarized organizations using drones, anti-drone guns, and signal disruptors.
- Ed Calderón warns these capabilities are moving closer to the U.S. border and changing the battlefield in Mexico.
First Drone Strike In Tijuana
- Calderón recounts a drone attack in his hometown of Tijuana that detonated devices in an anti-kidnapping unit parking lot.
- The strike motivated a large federal response and signaled new tactics being used near the border.
International Arms Pipelines Feed Cartels
- Cartels exploit global procurement channels to acquire advanced weapons via Europe and North Africa.
- Calderón describes an arms pipeline that masks shipments en route to Mexico.
