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‘The State IS the Cartel’: The Brutal Truth About the CJNG, El Mencho & What Happens Now
Nov 2, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min · 19 segments
Today's guest is Will Grant. He is the BBC's Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent, based in Mexico City. Borderland: Narcosis is an IRONCLAD Original. Chapters (00:00) Intro
(02:24) Bukele…
Today's guest is Will Grant. He is the BBC's Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent, based in Mexico City. Borderland: Narcosis is an IRONCLAD Original. Chapters (00:00) Intro
(02:24) Bukele vs. Haiti's Gangs
(07:14) Can Mexico Copy El Salvador's Crackdown?
(12:11) On the Ground After El Mencho's Death
(20:43) From Cop to Cartel Boss
(26:57) Will CJNG Fracture?
(31:21) The Intel Behind the El Mencho Operation
(37:03) What Americans Get Wrong About Mexico
(44:40) Daily Life in Cartel Territory
(49:20) Reporting in One of the World's Deadliest Places
(52:53) Do Cartels Shape Media Coverage?
(56:48) Populism and the Strongman Appeal
(1:02:33) Where to Find Will Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
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Today's guest is Will Grant. He is the BBC's Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent, based in Mexico City. Borderland: Narcosis is an IRONCLAD Original. Chapters (00:00) Intro
(02:24) Bukele…
