Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

On today's episode, Vince Vargas and Ed Calderon break down the recent capture of Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. mission behind it, and the implications for cartels, global powers, and Latin America. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original More from IRONCLAD: IG: https://www.instagram.com/thisisironclad/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad Sponsors: 1st Phorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 GHOSTBED:  Go to GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at norwoodsawmills.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOTE: This interview was recorded several days prior to the U.S. operation to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, in which investigative journalist Jorge Ventura predicted would soon happen and possibly set a further precedent for military operations in Mexico.  In a shocking new interview with Vincent "Rocco" Vargas on Borderland: Narcosis, investigative journalist and filmmaker Jorge Ventura reveals alliances between the CCP and Mexican cartels to smuggle Chinese operatives into the U.S. Borderland: Narcosis is an IRONCLAD Original Follow Jorge on X: https://x.com/VenturaReport 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince sits down with Manuel Núñez, founder of Palente Mexico, a cattle exporting company operating in one of the most complex and high-risk agricultural environments in the country. Manuel shares firsthand insight into how extortion operates within Mexico’s cattle industry, including how criminal organizations pressure buyers and producers through illegal payment demands. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former pro MLB player Pete Polis, who ran a drug operation out of his Arizona furniture store while working with members of the Sinaloa Cartel. Today, he runs Seasons Housing, a clean and sober organization that has since helped over 100 men and women transition back into their communities. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original More from Pete: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pete.polis.2025 Seasons Housing:      https://www.seasonshousing.org/ More from IRONCLAD: IG: https://www.instagram.com/thisisironclad/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince sits down with Steven Hernandez of The North Group, a national security and intelligence expert. They discuss Venezuela’s role as a hub for threat actors, the presence of sleeper cells in the U.S., and the challenges of tracking multi-state security risks. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1stPhorm Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Aura:  Go To: https://aura.com/ironclad  to try 14 days for free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince speaks with Nicholas Chase Valencia, a veteran of the Israel Defense Force and U.S. Army and counterterrorism researcher. Nicholas explains how Venezuela serves as a base for Hezbollah and allied networks, its ties to Iran, and why these operations pose a growing security and drug trafficking threat to the United States. To read more about this, visit Nick's substack: https://globalreconreport.substack.com/p/operation-southern-spear-and-the?r=6did6v Follow Nick on IG: @globalreconreport_ Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1st Phorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Delete Me Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code TacPack  Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this bonus episode, former LA kingpin Pierre Rausini lays out his bold plan to dismantle the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels by targeting their most crucial asset: the underground super tunnels beneath the U.S.-Mexico border. He explains why neutralizing these hidden pathways is the key to stopping multi-ton drug shipments and finally gaining the upper hand in the border war. To find out more, visit Pierre's substack: https://substack.com/inbox/post/179217530?r=4trvxq&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Borderland: Narcosis, Vince Vargas sits down with investigative journalist Deborah Bonello. She is currently the managing editor at InSight Crime and is the editorial director for Latin America at VICE News. Her book, "NARCAS: The Secret Rise of Women in Latin America's Cartels” is out now: https://www.amazon.com/Narcas-Secret-Women-Americas-Cartels/dp/0807007048 Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original  To purchase Borderland Merch, visit: https://thisisironclad.com/collections/borderland Sponsors: 1stPhorm Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince sits down with Rob Dyer, former Marine and CIA paramilitary officer, to uncover a $10B gray-market plant product — a potent kratom derivative called 7-hydroxy (7-OH). This compound comes from the kratom leaf and is chemically enhanced to deliver a stronger, opioid-like effect. They break down the CCP’s potential role, shadowy companies, and legal loopholes fueling this hidden industry few Americans know about. To purchase Borderland Merch, visit: https://thisisironclad.com/collections/borderland Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original 1stPhorm Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code TacPack  Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince talks with journalist Ioan Grillo about the targeting of an outspoken Mexican mayor by the CJNG cartel and their police force infiltrations. They discuss how cartel violence and extortion are worsening across Mexico, the risks faced by leaders who speak out, and the growing unrest sparked by these attacks. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1stPhorm Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code Mizzen and Main Black Friday Deal: Score 25% off at Mizzen & Main with code IRONCLAD20! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices