2024 has seen record-breaking cartel violence in Mexico, with brutal conflicts erupting across the country. With Donald Trump back in office, he's vowing to crush the cartels, declaring them terrorist organizations and even threatening military intervention in Mexico. But is this plan realistic? In this deep dive, we explore: 🔹 The collapse of the old cartel system and rise of decentralized criminal groups 🔹 How cartels have diversified beyond drugs into oil theft, human smuggling, and extortion 🔹 The massive government crackdown on cartel leaders, including the arrest of El Mayo 🔹 Why Mexico is modernizing and pushing cartels out to become a global manufacturing hub 🔹 The impact of Trump’s immigration policies on cartel profits 🔹 The fentanyl epidemic, independent drug cooks, and why stopping trafficking is almost impossible Will Trump’s war on cartels work, or is this just another chapter in the never-ending battle? Johnny does a deep dive inside the chaos in Mexico and looks at how Donald Trump's plan for war against Mexican organized crime will affect criminal groups and politics in both Mexico and the United States. He also examines the history of the relationship between legacy drug cartels and the major Mexican political parties, and how the decentralization of criminal gangs has put a strain on the drug money flowing into Mexico City. This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: BetterHelp! Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/connect and get on your way to being your best self. Rocket Money! Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to https://rocketmoney.com/connect today. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! / theconnectshow Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6mc4qAx... Join this channel to get access to perks: / @theconnectpod 00:00:00 Record Violence in Mexico: 2024 Cartel Homicide Surge 00:01:37 The Rise of Violence and Crackdowns in Mexico 00:03:10 Cartel Soldiers' Earnings and Poverty in Rural Mexico 00:04:54 The Role of Mexican Cartels in Drug Trafficking 00:06:29 Decentralization of Mexican Organized Crime 00:08:03 Corruption and Drug Trafficking in Mexico 00:09:38 Inside the Legacy of Mexico's Drug Kingpins 00:11:08 Impact of Legal Marijuana on Mexican Cartels 00:12:36 Mexico's Ambition to Become a Manufacturing Hub 00:14:11 US-Mexico Relations and Cartel Conflict 00:15:47 The Impact of US Foreign Policies on the Dollar 00:17:15 Today's Sponsors 00:21:29 The Decentralized Structure of Fentanyl Operations in Northern Mexico 00:23:41 Inside the Mexican Cartels: Invisible Networks and Economy of Drug Trafficking 00:25:15 Impact of Stricter Immigration Policies on Migrant Routes 00:26:48 Challenges Facing Central American Migrants at the US-Mexico Border 00:28:33 The Fentanyl Boom in Culiacán and Global Drug Trafficking 00:30:15 Decentralization in Drug Trafficking 00:32:05 The Future of Drug Legalization in Mexico and Its Impact 00:33:57 The Impact of the Drug War on Mexican Cartels 00:35:52 The Rise of Independent Drug Traffickers in Mexico 00:37:42 The Ongoing Demand for Illegal Drugs in the US https://www.youtube.com/@theconnectpod