Indeed Daniel thanks. Yep, getting kick back from politicians means the journalism is having an impact. It's great that Substack is allowing an opportunity to do this.
Yes, indeed, Tis the first thing I thought when he came back on the story, thet he was bringing more attention to it. Still, I don't relish being in the sight of these guys, but I claimed in my mandate to write about "gangster politics!" Best there Mike SSDG.
I would emphasize that Bartlett’s defense somehow rests on these statements having speculative language, more than direct accusations (ie. with evidence). Especially considering how your article was (mis?)quoted by local press as “evidence”, causing Bartlett to issue this public reply. For someone just reading this, it might seem a bit out of context.
I still believe that the most interesting part of the story, is a) timing of the release (even if the FOIA was filed >2 years ago) days before this administration’s ending, and more importantly b)the names/sentences they decided to omit from the release. Seems a bit… targeted?
I think the story was clear that the statements were suspicions but it is still a declassified document of public interest. The timing is interesting. It is possible that someone in the U.S. government made the decision with a political motive, although it might not be the case. All best there PS and great to have your voice here.
100% of public interest! Especially on a case that has never been truly solved.
Keep up this responsible reporting, dear Ioan. Todo mi respeto y admiración!! Blood Gun Money is one of the best books on the subject I’ve read, and one that I recommend to anyone asking me about the matter.
There is not a single Mexican politician from that era that’s not a dirty, backstabbing SOB — especially non that have survived for that long. Mexican politics at that level are scary, so kudos to you for standing your ground against a “peso pesado”. A matter of time before all that generation of politicians “retire” and we can finally start cleaning up the mess they left — still a long way to go, though.
Thanks there Diego. They were certainly a generation who came amid a very powerful one party state and enjoyed crazy corrupt power. I wonder though, are the new generation actually better? I hope so.
Hopefully better, yes. But still far from what we'd all hope for -- just see how their kids behave towards the rest of society. Thanks for all the good work.
Some internal information from a colleague who is a resident of the municipality of La Cruz de Elota, territory of the Chapitos, is that during the course of this week in the clashes around La Cruz de Elota, "El Panu" was murdered, principal head of hitmen from the Chapitos in above to El Perris and El Piyuyi, this information has not been made known since the Mayos apparently did not realize who they murdered and the Chapos are not going to reveal it because the morality could fall in the front of the battle, my source (friend) told me that he received a temporary WhatsApp picture from the deceased, remember this, I am writing this comment on September 29, 2024 and this important casualty has not yet been announced, he was shot down by a 50 caliber causing huge holes in his person (Sorry my bad english)
The Americans are pretty peeved at the lack of cooperation they are getting so they rehash an old scandal that does nothing to help them....
It seems like an attack... I can just see a frustrated deputy director growling at his subordinates "Let's start letting them know we mean business..."
I think Manuel Bartlett is a dark figure with many sins... possibly the worst ones are the violent political repression during his term as governor of Puebla...
I don't mind that he gets attacked again... but I would prefer forcing the CIA to do their own pressing..
I don't think this moves the story forward in any way.... so while I would not bother with it myself, I am quite happy to see him pelted with virtual tomatoes...
He also made the classic mistake of responding ... just brings the story back.... and does nothing to make anyone believe him innocent!!!
Thanks there John. Yes, I totally agree there could be someone in the U.S. government who wanted to throw this out now. Still, I think once it has been declassified it's a document that when you have it in your hands you need to put out there into the public domain. It adds another little piece into the whole mess of the 1980s Mexico-U.S. Camarena and is a solid document to be cited but agreed there is still plenty more there. His response may have been more aimed at those around him then the broader readers. Best there friend.
Great work again Ioan. If he’s a Mexican Politician, he’s dirty! Nothing has changed in decades. Yunes too, is dirty from the 1990’s according to many great sources.
It is interesting to note that the guadalajara cartel founders were all sinoalens. same with the tijuana cartel. And mencho is a michoacan native but his cartel is based in jalisco. Is that pretty common in Mexico? Crime bosses going to other states to create cartels? Then again al capone was a new Yorker but we all associate him with the chicago outfit
Absolutely, very notable that the Sinaloans ran Jalisco, Durango, Chiahuahua, Baja and Sonora as well as Sinaloa itself. I hadn't thought of the parallel with Al Capone and New Yorkers spreading out. I wonder how many other regional U.S. mafiosi were transplanted New Yorkers...
Heck los angeles even had a mafia family in the 1940s. I wonder how many of them were new Yorkers because California never really had alot of Italians Like that
Yeah, interesting case. And even more weird was a Croatian or Amrnenian guy from the Mexican Mafia who stabbed Derek Chauvin, the cop who killed George Floyd...
It doesn’t matter where the politician is from, they all dislike investigative reporting it seems. They hate reporters looking over their shoulder.
Indeed Daniel thanks. Yep, getting kick back from politicians means the journalism is having an impact. It's great that Substack is allowing an opportunity to do this.
Bet he gave your more subscribers :)
Yes, indeed, Tis the first thing I thought when he came back on the story, thet he was bringing more attention to it. Still, I don't relish being in the sight of these guys, but I claimed in my mandate to write about "gangster politics!" Best there Mike SSDG.
Yep, it would definitely scare me.
Narco journalism, a funny old trade. Being a narco lawyer (in the U.S.) meanwhile can be a serious earner!
At least you’re aware that your mom was right when she said become a lawyer :)
One of the latest waves, "The Last Narc," was proven to be partly fiction and should have been titled "The Last Narcissist."
More on that one to come my friend.
Viva el derecho de replica!
I would emphasize that Bartlett’s defense somehow rests on these statements having speculative language, more than direct accusations (ie. with evidence). Especially considering how your article was (mis?)quoted by local press as “evidence”, causing Bartlett to issue this public reply. For someone just reading this, it might seem a bit out of context.
I still believe that the most interesting part of the story, is a) timing of the release (even if the FOIA was filed >2 years ago) days before this administration’s ending, and more importantly b)the names/sentences they decided to omit from the release. Seems a bit… targeted?
I think the story was clear that the statements were suspicions but it is still a declassified document of public interest. The timing is interesting. It is possible that someone in the U.S. government made the decision with a political motive, although it might not be the case. All best there PS and great to have your voice here.
100% of public interest! Especially on a case that has never been truly solved.
Keep up this responsible reporting, dear Ioan. Todo mi respeto y admiración!! Blood Gun Money is one of the best books on the subject I’ve read, and one that I recommend to anyone asking me about the matter.
Well appreciated there friend. Yep, keep on keeping on!
There is not a single Mexican politician from that era that’s not a dirty, backstabbing SOB — especially non that have survived for that long. Mexican politics at that level are scary, so kudos to you for standing your ground against a “peso pesado”. A matter of time before all that generation of politicians “retire” and we can finally start cleaning up the mess they left — still a long way to go, though.
Thanks there Diego. They were certainly a generation who came amid a very powerful one party state and enjoyed crazy corrupt power. I wonder though, are the new generation actually better? I hope so.
Hopefully better, yes. But still far from what we'd all hope for -- just see how their kids behave towards the rest of society. Thanks for all the good work.
Is he saying you chose to declassify the document in that second paragraph. You got the power Ioan.
Yes, interesting comment that one. We just order the U.S. government, "declassify"! Best there Dezxihw
Some internal information from a colleague who is a resident of the municipality of La Cruz de Elota, territory of the Chapitos, is that during the course of this week in the clashes around La Cruz de Elota, "El Panu" was murdered, principal head of hitmen from the Chapitos in above to El Perris and El Piyuyi, this information has not been made known since the Mayos apparently did not realize who they murdered and the Chapos are not going to reveal it because the morality could fall in the front of the battle, my source (friend) told me that he received a temporary WhatsApp picture from the deceased, remember this, I am writing this comment on September 29, 2024 and this important casualty has not yet been announced, he was shot down by a 50 caliber causing huge holes in his person (Sorry my bad english)
Thanks for this valuable información friend. What a crazy and bloody situation there. Great to have your voice here.
Thank you very much, the first step is for everything to come to light and your work is appreciated, a very dangerous job
Hi Ioan,
Here's an alternative universe take..
The Americans are pretty peeved at the lack of cooperation they are getting so they rehash an old scandal that does nothing to help them....
It seems like an attack... I can just see a frustrated deputy director growling at his subordinates "Let's start letting them know we mean business..."
I think Manuel Bartlett is a dark figure with many sins... possibly the worst ones are the violent political repression during his term as governor of Puebla...
I don't mind that he gets attacked again... but I would prefer forcing the CIA to do their own pressing..
I don't think this moves the story forward in any way.... so while I would not bother with it myself, I am quite happy to see him pelted with virtual tomatoes...
He also made the classic mistake of responding ... just brings the story back.... and does nothing to make anyone believe him innocent!!!
Thanks there John. Yes, I totally agree there could be someone in the U.S. government who wanted to throw this out now. Still, I think once it has been declassified it's a document that when you have it in your hands you need to put out there into the public domain. It adds another little piece into the whole mess of the 1980s Mexico-U.S. Camarena and is a solid document to be cited but agreed there is still plenty more there. His response may have been more aimed at those around him then the broader readers. Best there friend.
Great work again Ioan. If he’s a Mexican Politician, he’s dirty! Nothing has changed in decades. Yunes too, is dirty from the 1990’s according to many great sources.
Thanks much there Steve and interesting points there. The case of Kiki Camarena continues to make waves. Best friend.
It is interesting to note that the guadalajara cartel founders were all sinoalens. same with the tijuana cartel. And mencho is a michoacan native but his cartel is based in jalisco. Is that pretty common in Mexico? Crime bosses going to other states to create cartels? Then again al capone was a new Yorker but we all associate him with the chicago outfit
Absolutely, very notable that the Sinaloans ran Jalisco, Durango, Chiahuahua, Baja and Sonora as well as Sinaloa itself. I hadn't thought of the parallel with Al Capone and New Yorkers spreading out. I wonder how many other regional U.S. mafiosi were transplanted New Yorkers...
But the Chicago outfit were all native chicagoans apart from capone because chicago has always had a large Italian diaspora
Heck los angeles even had a mafia family in the 1940s. I wonder how many of them were new Yorkers because California never really had alot of Italians Like that
I heard some of the original L.A. gangs back in like the 19th century were Italian and Irish gangs...
Joe pegleg Morgan the co founder of the Mexican mafia was Croatian too
Yeah, interesting case. And even more weird was a Croatian or Amrnenian guy from the Mexican Mafia who stabbed Derek Chauvin, the cop who killed George Floyd...
Yeah that was bizzare. Osiel Cardenas was beat up by eme members too. And now osiel is out of prison ironically