The Shawn Ryan Show · Podcast summary
#341 Katarina Szulc - Cartels Are Recruiting Drone Operators From the Ukraine War
Katarina Szulc, an investigative journalist, discusses the evolving landscape of Mexican cartels, their global reach, and the surprising connections between the Ukraine War and cartel operations.
Listen on the show ↗Key takeaways
- 🇺🇦Katarina Szulc's initial career aspiration was to be a war correspondent, and she found Ukraine to be her favorite place she's visited, praising the kindness of its people.00:38
- 📢Cartels employ sophisticated PR strategies, including issuing their own press releases and using interviews to clear their names or project an image of power.01:06
- ⚖️The Mexican government accused "R1," a high-ranking CJNG member, of orchestrating the murder of TikTok influencer Valeria Marquez, while the U.S. government had previously sanctioned "El Doble R" for the same crime.01:58
- 💰Cartels make up such a significant portion of Mexico's economy that eradicating them would cripple the country's economic system.02:08
- 🏢The assassination of El Mencho's son, a key leader of CJNG, did not lead to the cartel's collapse due to its decentralized structure, which operates like a Fortune 500 company.03:36
- 💧Cartels are involved in various illicit activities beyond drug trafficking, including controlling water supplies, avocado farms, human trafficking, and crude oil theft.05:07
Chapters
- 0:05A Journalist's Perspective: From War Zones to Cartel Territory
- 0:18The Valeria Marquez Case: A Deep Dive into Cartel Violence and Political Corruption
- 2:24The Cartel's Grip: Economy, Politics, and a Civil War
- 2:52The Shifting Sands of Power: CJNG's Dominance and the Rise of Millennial Cartels
- 8:19Beyond Drugs: Cartel Business Lines and Global Infiltration
- 9:05The American Connection: Demand, Corruption, and Human Trafficking
- 18:50The Future of Cartels: Escalation, AI, and the Ukraine Connection
- 18:50The Last Word: A Grim Outlook
The digest
Investigative journalist Katarina Szulc joined the Sean Ryan Show to shed light on the intricate and often brutal world of Mexican cartels. Szulc, known for her work with Borderland Dispatches, provided a stark update on the cartels' expanding influence, their sophisticated operational tactics, and the alarming recruitment of drone operators from the Ukraine War.
A Journalist's Perspective: From War Zones to Cartel Territory
Szulc began by reflecting on her extensive travels, noting that she has been to countless places since her last appearance on the show. When asked about her favorite destination, she surprisingly named Ukraine. Her interest stemmed from a desire to cover underreported stories about the war, and she praised the kindness of the Ukrainian people. This passion for war correspondence, she revealed, was her initial career goal.
Sean Ryan introduced Szulc as a former traditional journalist who realized the necessity of being on the ground to truly understand events. Now based in Mexico City, she reports on cartels, organized crime, and political corruption, often traveling directly into regions where these stories unfold.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 6-minute article, 7 more sections, and every new episode from The Shawn Ryan Show and the creators you follow.
- The Valeria Marquez Case: A Deep Dive into Cartel Violence and Political Corruption
- The Cartel's Grip: Economy, Politics, and a Civil War
- The Shifting Sands of Power: CJNG's Dominance and the Rise of Millennial Cartels
- Beyond Drugs: Cartel Business Lines and Global Infiltration
- The American Connection: Demand, Corruption, and Human Trafficking
- The Future of Cartels: Escalation, AI, and the Ukraine Connection
- The Last Word: A Grim Outlook
More from The Shawn Ryan Show
#340 Byron Tau - The Government Doesn't Just Spy on You. It Buys You.
Investigative reporter Byron Tau discusses his book "Means of Control" and the alarming reality of how governments, both domestic and foreign, are leveraging commercially available data for surveillance, even targeting US soldiers.
#339 Christian Craighead - The Uncensored Story of the Nairobi DusitD2 Attack
SAS veteran Christian Craighead shares the full, uncensored story of the Nairobi DusitD2 attack, detailing the harrowing 17 hours he spent clearing the hotel and saving hundreds of lives.
#337 Cardinal Burke - The Old Testament
Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke joins the show to discuss the Old Testament, its covenants, and how it lays the foundation for the coming of Christ.
#335 Ed Barnhart - The Amazon Rainforest is Hiding a Lost Civilization?
Dr. Ed Barnhart, an archaeologist and explorer, discusses his work studying ancient civilizations in the Americas, including his discovery of the Maya city of Ma'ashna. He delves into the mysteries of the Maya, their astronomical prowess, and the potential for undiscovered ancient cities in the Amazon rainforest.
#334 Clint Emerson - Inside SEAL Team 6's Spy Unit: Black Squadron
Former SEAL Team 6 operator Clint Emerson reveals the covert world of Black Squadron, from childhood in Saudi Arabia to the cutting edge of intelligence operations.
#332 Alex West - SEAL Team 6 Operator on Crashing a Black Hawk Into Bin Laden's Backyard
Alex West, a former SEAL Team 6 operator, discusses his journey from childhood in Africa to his military career, and his current work as a mental health therapist for veterans.