Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Ed Calderon returns to break down the killing of El Mencho, the chaos that followed across Mexico, and why this may have been far more than a cartel raid.
This video is #sponsored by Current. Get Current! Sign up at https://current.com/johnnymitchell?utm_source=inf&utm_campaign=johnnymitchell&utm_adgroup=Johnny_Mitchell_3_2026 and use MY promo code JOHNNYMITCHELL to get $50! and unlock tools like a paycheck advance, credit building, and more. Terms and conditions apply. See https://current.com/legal_disclaimers for details.
We get into the rumors that Mencho surrendered, the theory that he was executed instead of arrested, and why Ed believes the highest levels of the Mexican deep state may have wanted him dead.
We also talk about CJNG’s response, the cartel’s growing resemblance to an insurgency, military corruption, the World Cup security angle, and what Mencho’s death really changes for drug trafficking in Mexico. If you thought this was a clean win for the government, think again.
Topics include:
-Was El Mencho killed in a firefight or executed after surrendering?
-Why the Mexican military may have acted on its own
-The cartel roadblocks, fires, and nationwide retaliation
-Corruption inside the military and federal forces
-Why CJNG may be evolving into a political insurgency
-Whether Mencho’s death changes anything at all
-The possibility of future U.S. involvement in Mexico
Current! Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. FDIC insurance up to $250,000 only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and/or Cross River Bank, Member FDIC.
Betterhelp! Your emotional wellbeing matters. Find support and feel lighter in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/connect.
PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT to get $50 in daily fantasy lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!
Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!
https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow
00:00 Rumors & Theories About Mencho's Death
02:25 Ed Calderon Joins the Conversation
05:04 Cartel Power Shifts & New Players
07:00 CJNG Response & Insurgency Tactics
10:00 The Raid: What Really Happened?
14:14 How Was Mencho Located and Taken Down?
18:46 Aftermath & The Government’s Role
20:51 This Episode Is Sponsored By Current
22:06 Military Power & Deep State in Mexico
31:00 Conspiracy vs. Reality: Did Mencho Surrender?
35:00 Cartel-Government Deals & Fallout
39:45 This Episode Is Sponsored By Betterhelp and PrizePicks
42:35 Public Reactions & National Sentiment
47:00 Violence, Missing People, and Statistics
50:20 Shifts in Alliances & Drug Routes
01:04:08 US-Mexico Relations & Future Scenarios
01:13:01 Advice for Troubled Times & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
