25 Comments
User's avatar
Paul Grill's avatar

Iona-I want to give a shout out to you for your wonderful journalism and sense of humanity.

I also want to thank you for recommending “ Mexican watchdogs “ the rise of the critical press since the 1980s. Author Andrew Paxman. Gripping ,thanks warmly Paul.

Andrew Paxman's avatar

Thank you, Paul! If you have a few minutes and wouldn't mind posting a couple of lines on Amazon I'd be most grateful.

Paul Grill's avatar

I’ll see if I can’t make that happen Andrew.

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Well appreciated there Paul Grill o and I will pass on the message to the esteemed Andrew Paxman. Have a great Crimbo there my friend.

Paul Grill's avatar

Yeah, that Grill minus the “O” gives us a unique connectivity

Tom Johnston's avatar

To another fine year with CrashOut, the only site worth commenting on. The real value of your work, Ioan, are the historical trigger points that forces anyone to do more research and really shakes the very old cobwebs of forgotten information into the open of my very old brain. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Here are a couple of Christmas songs to bring a smile on Christmas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crhr4lBhfxI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSwcaCWvNb8

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Nice one. That second tune really gave me a big grin. It's fantastic to have you here my friend and thanks for those warm words. Yeah, I'm a lover of history and think you are as well!

Stevie Abbott's avatar

we paid subscribers thank you, crashout. :)

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Super appreciated my friend and hope the festive season is treating you well

Stevie Abbott's avatar

Likewise compadre -

P.S I'm not be a murderous lunatic like your superfan, Duterte, but I still deeply admire your work!

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Ha ha! Best there Stevie.

Paul Grill's avatar

Andrew, I just tried to post a review of Mexican watchdogs to Amazon. Got any idea how you thread that needle and post a comment without having bought the book through Amazon. I am loyal to my little independent bookstore inNorthern California.

Daniel Helkenn's avatar

It was a great year for you Ioan. You and your group continue to be some of the best information sources on this or any other platform. A real value in my estimation. Merry Christmas and a great New Year my friend.

Ioan Grillo's avatar

That is super appreciated my friend. Have a great Crimbo up there!

christopher o'loughlin's avatar

Ioan,

Excellent post as always. Thank you for your continued hope honesty and compassion reporting truth to power with evidence. Happy Crimbo. We are in this together. No Kings. Peace. Christopher and family

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Happy Christmas and God bless there!

Jerry Kelly's avatar

Took my dog the morning on the atv to an area near Desemboque that would have been a bit sketchy 6 months ago and a no go for the previous 3 years. Stopping the people smuggling has really helped the area…Some type of peace agreement happen not just outside pressure.

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks for the info Jerry. I had to look up Desemboque to find where it was. It's nice to hear that things can get better - it's not all down hill. And like you say, this can be due to different factors. Happy Lupereyes there friend.

Gregorio's avatar

This list certainly is arguably accurate for CrashOut"s discerning and knowledgeable subscribers. Of course I am among that group. Duterte caught me off guard for a second, probably due to my neglect to look at that story closer when it occurred. Allow me to insert number eleven on this list. Closely fits into your Venezuelan addition on the list. After orchestrating a vast cocaine flood to the United States, and while a wanted person in Honduras and Interpol, President Trump fully pardoned the Ex President of Honduras, President Hernandez. So disjointed from his narco-terrorism views, President Trump's Pardon is insane on any level. And a clear message about Trump"s moral center.

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks there Greg. Yeah, that is a huge story. I did the piece on it, and I was thinking if it was in the top ten. It's certainly got big implication. Feliz lupereyes and crimbo my friend.

https://www.crashoutmedia.com/p/honduras-and-trumps-narco-pardon?utm_source=publication-search

joe schmoo's avatar

Happy Christmas

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Happy Crimbo my friend

Andrew Paxman's avatar

Useful list, Ioan. Many thanks.

Did you happen to do a similar piece in December 2024? Would love to see it.

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Well appreciated there Andrew. I didn't do it last year, but did this video back in 2023 with the biggest "narco stories of the year" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgNvndf7SLk

Andrew Paxman's avatar

Many thanks, mate.

Merry Christmas!