31 Comments
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Matt Benacci's avatar

Your mileage may vary, but my recommendation would be to keep the written words free, and paywall "bonus" content like podcasts.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks and great point. I may try this strategy - still trying to figure it out. Best there Matt.

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Tom Johnston's avatar

I put my money where my mouth is. I just started a paid subscription. Your work here on Substack does have real potential.

I am a California native and lived in San Diego County for 54 years and then fled to Northern Wisconsin and never looked back. My wife and I saw from the beginning the destruction of Mexico from the unbelievable appetite for drugs in the US. The rise of the Alessio family in Tijuana and San Diego was the beginning foundation of corruption which spread throughout Mexico and Southern California. That cancer has metastasized throughout North America especially through the very unreported financial sectors of the economies. We watched the organization of Mexican-American gangs in Southeast San Diego near my wife's family who became hitmen for the cartels in Tijuana and Sinaloa. We became avid readers of Borderland Beat just to remain aware of what was happening around us.

I think an organizational or flow chart of your Substack would be beneficial to readers. Examples would be the a chart showing the flow of drug money through US banks and simple examples of how drug money is laundered in the United States. You could provide readers with an index of the most active and dangerous cartels operating in Mexico and with Mexico cartels like the Camorra and Ndrangheta of Italy. Provide readers with an updated bibliography of sources on drug cartels and organizations. This is the type of information that could remain behind a paywall. Written articles would lead readers who are interested to more detailed information and sources behind the paywall. Also history of drug dealing and involvement with US government agencies also could remain behind the paywall. Keep the articles setting forth the problems and possible solutions free while the index of information supporting those articles could remain behind a paywall.

I do not think you can ever under estimate the need for people to become aware of the problems and the cancer that has existed in our communities since World War II. I was very encouraged by your shout and enthusiasm to continue to confront this problem which is probably the biggest of them all, politically and economically.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Super appreciated on the subscription Tom. I'll persevere to deliver. That is a brilliant idea on the charts and info - and as you say that could be a good thing to have behind a pay wall. Let me experiment and look at how the page can be organized - it would be cool to be able to position the resources outside the regular flow of stories. I totally get what you are saying on Tijuana, and I think the infiltration of cartels within the US is a big unreported issue. I have a lot of info on the Tijuana cartel - although this may go into a bigger audio-visual project. All strength to yer sir.

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Karen Hart's avatar

I don't think the history of drug dealing by the US govt. should remain behind a paywall that just helps the corruption stay secret.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Yes, good point Karen. I certainly have some more on this coming. It's an interesting if painful history. All best there.

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Tom Johnston's avatar

An outline of the history of drug dealing by the US govt. could easily be an article for free and paid subscribers but the actual history is extensive and requires a tremendous amount of writing and research. The history of US involvement with opium would take you to China alone and require a complete examination of not only US involvement but other Western powers particularly Great Britain and France.

My suggestion is not to bury the despicable actions of the United States but to provide an appropriate pathway to compensation for the time and research involved in such a project. I would label the free articles as an extensive preview to what is hidden behind the paywall.

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A Curious Flaneur's avatar

Hey keep up the great work. For younger writers wanting to write about Mexico do you suggest moving to Mexico City?

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

I want to have a new story soon with advice for young journalists as I get a lot of emails - but in short, sure if you want to write about Mexico you need to be in Mexico. Best there friend.

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Karen Hart's avatar

It's very dangerous for journalists writing in Mexico. Many are killed. I would not suggest anyone move there.

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Andrew Paxman's avatar

It's certainly very dangerous for those working in states where narco politics runs deep, like Veracruz, Guerrero or along the US border. But journalists are rarely killed in Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey. And foreign journalists are not targeted.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Well put Andrew. However, I always stay from that last line as I don't want to jinx it. I hope all is well there mate.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks Karen, and there is of course a tragic wave of murders of journalists here. This was my piece about it.

https://www.crashoutmedia.com/p/who-is-really-killing-mexican-journalists

However, there is still a decent contingent of foreign reporters here and I would say that for someone serious about writing about Mexico you need to be here. There are many other things to write about as well. Thanks and all best.

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Alex's avatar

Can’t say anything that hasn’t been said.. you will be supported with this news outlet that we do not get otherwise.. thank you

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks so much Alex. Every shout means a lot and please keep in touch. Back at yer friend.

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Kevin Spence's avatar

Thanks for all the great coverage of this fascinating country. I’m looking forward to the next phase of your content.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks so much for the support and keep in touch there Kevin.

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Weldman Jones's avatar

Thanks for your work! I would love to hear your take on the targeting of Christians in southern Mexico by the cartels.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks Weldman. That is a great story Weldman. It is definitely on the priority list - I want to get down there and write properly about that one. All best there and keep in touch friend.

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Chris Bayly's avatar

Onwards and upwards!

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks Chris and back at yer. Cheers friend.

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Roberto Velasco's avatar

I have loved following your work over the years Ioan. Its hard to find good comprehensive coverage on Mexico and these issues especially in English. I look forward for what is yet to come. I will be happy to support with a paid subscription. This work and yourself deserve it. Thanks for what you do!

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks so much Robert. Well appreciated and back at yer.

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David Cashion's avatar

The connection between Katie Hobbs and Mexican cartels?

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

If I find anything, I wont hold back from pursuing it. Best David.

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David Cashion's avatar

I live in a Narco State within a Banana Republic.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Narco corruption north of the border is certainly something that is under reported. I'll put that as a topic on the list.

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David Cashion's avatar

I'm also interested in anything new on Beto O'rourke's family.

There as been a good bit of reporting on their past connections.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

There are all kinds of avenues to go down in narco corruption north of the border. One of them is money laundering. Best.

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Kyle Sweet's avatar

Just subscribed and looking forward to more if your excellent and informative writing and analysis. One thing that comes to mind for me is the presence of former US Special Operations personnel training cartel sicarios. This hasn’t seemed well reported. And, in a post Afghanistan/Iraq world, it is certainly going on. Thanks Ioan!

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks so much for the support and welcome aboard Kyle. That is a great idea for a story and indeed I have some good info on this. Back to you soon. All best and keep in touch friend.

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