Jul 2, 2023·edited Jul 2, 2023Liked by Ioan Grillo
Mexico is not only a narco state it is a failed state. This is the result of deliberate US policies carried out by the CIA to support the drug cartels and stymie Mexico's legitimate economy. I am beginning to wonder if the US too is a failed state. The corruption is so immense. You report it and it just gets ignored.
With this new evidence coming to light, do you think the US will adjust or change things when it comes to working together with Mexican government and military against drug cartels? Does Mexico lose all credibility when it comes to the arrests of drug lords and drug seizures? Also, this puts in question whether the capture of Ovidio was just a smoke screen in order to protect bigger fish.
For people in México is worrie to be in a state ruled by Narco, the example in Zacatecas a town of México who is in the center of country is the perfect example of What is going to be in the future, one Nicaragua and Colombia, or even Venezuela is What we are goint to see in our backyard, the president AMLO (Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador) is a danger for the people in the united States and for México people, no one likes him, is a Narco president and all mexicans are sufering, me included
Do you know why the Luna case mostly focuses on cocaine instead meth or heroin? Is it because it focuses mostly on the CDMX airport, where cocaine was flown in, vs. meth and heroin which are produced locally?
Calling Mexico a Narcostate is inaccurate because the endemic corruption transcends Drug Cartels. La Mordida is an issue regardless of how powerful cartels are in an area. This means most crime will be hard to solve. Police and the Judicial system are extremely compromised. It's no disrespect to honest Mexicans to call the system out. The election cycle are extremely violent. Over 150 killed in election related homicides 2018. Many optimistic young and honest aspiring politicians had their dreams of transparency and progress smashed. I don't know what it will take but something radical must happen for the rule of law to prevail in Mexico. NAFTA was successful because it set up an independent court system. International Businesses are routinely extorted throughout mexico nonetheless.
A helpful and timely piece Ioan -- thank you! I especially value your comments on why we would want to avoid labelling (and dismissing, or damning) Mexico as a "narco state"
Great piece. Question, do you think the lack of physical evidence hurts the case? A lot of mexican people are quite cinical and relying so much on criminals testimony (here I hear "creer en la palabra de narcos"), can hurt the impact of the ruling?
The claims are so massive that they must have some physical evidence (accounts, money transfers, written documents, texts, etc) right?
Great Stuff as always Ioan. I appreciate you trying to differentiate the Mexican People from the Mexican Government. A small group of powerful people does NOT represent a nation. I felt this way when Trump was President. That his stain of a Presidency might make people around the World that All Americans were supportive of Trump. I think what is very telling is that there was a conviction in this case, but General Cienfuegos was set free, after an official request by the Mexican Government. I think as you profoundly state, people that want change in Mexico must nurture the healthy plants, while exposing the rot to the warm sunlight of Progress. Keep up the meaningful work.
Good column, Ioan. I heard some interesting commentary on NPR from someone who works at Propublica. This may be out of order since I am doing this from memory.
The Judge in the case carefully kept out evidence of Garcia Luna's wealth when he came to Miami.
The testimony against Calderon was vague, but he'll be called to answer about what he knew. He hired him and kept him for his entire admin.
Suspicions about Garcia Luna's corruption among US intel and LE agencies first arose in 2008, but they did not investigate it.
That Garcia Luna operated for so long under the radar is a failure of US intelligence.
I think that there all that is. If remember something else, I let you know. You can also listen to interview on NPR's afternoon broadcast today on "All things considered".
Felipe Calderon should fear a possible testimony from Edgar Valdez Villarreal “Barbie” he is a US citizen and wrote a letter in 2012 claiming that Felipe Calderon was part of the conspiracy to trafficking drugs to the US.
Mexico is not only a narco state it is a failed state. This is the result of deliberate US policies carried out by the CIA to support the drug cartels and stymie Mexico's legitimate economy. I am beginning to wonder if the US too is a failed state. The corruption is so immense. You report it and it just gets ignored.
With this new evidence coming to light, do you think the US will adjust or change things when it comes to working together with Mexican government and military against drug cartels? Does Mexico lose all credibility when it comes to the arrests of drug lords and drug seizures? Also, this puts in question whether the capture of Ovidio was just a smoke screen in order to protect bigger fish.
Saludos Ioan!
For people in México is worrie to be in a state ruled by Narco, the example in Zacatecas a town of México who is in the center of country is the perfect example of What is going to be in the future, one Nicaragua and Colombia, or even Venezuela is What we are goint to see in our backyard, the president AMLO (Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador) is a danger for the people in the united States and for México people, no one likes him, is a Narco president and all mexicans are sufering, me included
Do you know why the Luna case mostly focuses on cocaine instead meth or heroin? Is it because it focuses mostly on the CDMX airport, where cocaine was flown in, vs. meth and heroin which are produced locally?
Great piece and read! I think that's a great analogy regarding weed and different trees in the forest and the fact that there is hope.
It is scary the impact of cartels on some of these important institutions as you have outlined in this criminal case.
On a separate note I am currently reading your book Blood Gun Money. Its incredible, so interesting. I can't put it down!
Calling Mexico a Narcostate is inaccurate because the endemic corruption transcends Drug Cartels. La Mordida is an issue regardless of how powerful cartels are in an area. This means most crime will be hard to solve. Police and the Judicial system are extremely compromised. It's no disrespect to honest Mexicans to call the system out. The election cycle are extremely violent. Over 150 killed in election related homicides 2018. Many optimistic young and honest aspiring politicians had their dreams of transparency and progress smashed. I don't know what it will take but something radical must happen for the rule of law to prevail in Mexico. NAFTA was successful because it set up an independent court system. International Businesses are routinely extorted throughout mexico nonetheless.
A helpful and timely piece Ioan -- thank you! I especially value your comments on why we would want to avoid labelling (and dismissing, or damning) Mexico as a "narco state"
Great piece. Question, do you think the lack of physical evidence hurts the case? A lot of mexican people are quite cinical and relying so much on criminals testimony (here I hear "creer en la palabra de narcos"), can hurt the impact of the ruling?
The claims are so massive that they must have some physical evidence (accounts, money transfers, written documents, texts, etc) right?
Great Stuff as always Ioan. I appreciate you trying to differentiate the Mexican People from the Mexican Government. A small group of powerful people does NOT represent a nation. I felt this way when Trump was President. That his stain of a Presidency might make people around the World that All Americans were supportive of Trump. I think what is very telling is that there was a conviction in this case, but General Cienfuegos was set free, after an official request by the Mexican Government. I think as you profoundly state, people that want change in Mexico must nurture the healthy plants, while exposing the rot to the warm sunlight of Progress. Keep up the meaningful work.
Good column, Ioan. I heard some interesting commentary on NPR from someone who works at Propublica. This may be out of order since I am doing this from memory.
The Judge in the case carefully kept out evidence of Garcia Luna's wealth when he came to Miami.
The testimony against Calderon was vague, but he'll be called to answer about what he knew. He hired him and kept him for his entire admin.
Suspicions about Garcia Luna's corruption among US intel and LE agencies first arose in 2008, but they did not investigate it.
That Garcia Luna operated for so long under the radar is a failure of US intelligence.
I think that there all that is. If remember something else, I let you know. You can also listen to interview on NPR's afternoon broadcast today on "All things considered".
The president of México must to be stoped soon, before the power of drugs cartel invade the test of our countrys
Felipe Calderon should fear a possible testimony from Edgar Valdez Villarreal “Barbie” he is a US citizen and wrote a letter in 2012 claiming that Felipe Calderon was part of the conspiracy to trafficking drugs to the US.
You called it on twitter last week guilty on all charges, great article.