[@joerogan] Joe Rogan Experience #2369 - Ed Calderon

Link: https://youtu.be/j7Bxv_auSSk

Short Summary

Most Important Takeaway: The US-Mexico relationship is complex and fraught with historical and ongoing issues, requiring a nuanced approach that goes beyond simplistic solutions like military intervention. Destabilization efforts from various actors, including the US and China, are exacerbating cartel violence and impacting the well-being of both Mexican and American citizens.

Executive Summary: This Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode delves into the intricate and alarming state of affairs in Mexico, focusing on cartel violence, US foreign policy, and potential destabilization efforts from various international actors. The guest, Ed Calderon, paints a grim picture of a country grappling with widespread corruption, increasing cartel power, and a looming crisis exacerbated by historical US involvement and more recent shifts in US policy and the potential for direct action. He emphasizes the need for nuanced understanding and collaborative solutions to avoid further escalation of the crisis and safeguard both US and Mexican interests.

Key Quotes

Here are 5 direct quotes from the provided transcript that represent particularly valuable insights, interesting data points, surprising statements, or strong opinions:

1. "The political killings that happen in Mexico don't happen because there's a bunch of John F. Kennedys out there that are trying to change things, right? It's because that cartel is sponsoring that candidate and this cartel is sponsoring that candidate. So, I don't want your candidate to win. So, I'm going to go shoot him."

2. "The US has realized that politics are compromised at high level in Mexico completely...So like who do you trust as an American force that is trying to um cut the stem of drugs into this country...and who who do you trust down there?"

3. "Cartel uses Tik Tok to recruit...But specifically Tik Tok is one of their biggest uh recruiting uh methods and it's in the open."

4. "You have the situation now where she's blaming the US for basically causing stability." (Referring to the President of Mexico blaming the US for abducting a cartel leader)

5. "We are going to need each other more than we think when in the coming years. And open warfare between both countries is not going to be...It's not going to lead to anything."

Detailed Summary

Okay, here is a detailed summary of the Joe Rogan podcast transcript, in bullet points, focusing on the key topics, arguments, and information discussed in the video. This excludes the sponsor announcements.

General Introduction/Tribute:

• The discussion starts with a tribute to Art Bell, a radio host known for covering similar subjects of discussion in the podcast.
• A brief anecdote about an Aztec death whistle is shared. It was given to Rogan and caused some controversy.

Aztec Death Whistles and Mexican History:

• Discussion about the Aztec death whistles, their origin and use in psychological warfare. They were used to deprive enemies of sleep.
• The Aztecs are portrayed as relatively recent arrivals in Mexico, violent immigrants from the north.
• The historical complexity of Mexico is emphasized, with multiple tribes and older civilizations predating the Aztecs.
• It is explained that the Spanish allied with tribes who hated the Aztecs, which is important to know when looking at the historical tattoos on people.
• Exploration of the abandonment of Teotihuacan, the "City of the Gods," before the Aztecs arrived. The Aztecs didn't understand its pyramids.
• The discussion shifts to the Spanish conquest and the "mestisake" (mixing) of Spanish and native cultures. The guest mentions Mexican school taught Mexicans to hate themselves because of the Spanish wiped out natives. The guest also mentions that even the president of Mexico was sending the king of Spain letters to ask for an apology for the conquest.
• The Mayans are not extinct but still exist, maintaining distinct cultural traits.
• The grandeur of Mayan structures like Chichen Itza are discussed.
• There is speculation that psychedelic rituals might have aided in Mayan construction and understanding. A lot of the rituals included mutilation and bloodletting.

Human Sacrifice and Depravity:

• The topic of Aztec human sacrifice is examined, combating the denial some Mexicans display.
• The process of ripping out hearts is described, as well as racks of skulls.
• A particularly gruesome sacrificial stone is described.
• Comparisons to native tribes in North America are made, disputing the image of universal pre-colonial harmony with nature. The Comanches are specifically mentioned, known for horrific torture.

Cartel Violence in Mexico:

• The discussion shifts to the current state of violence and cartel activity in Mexico, noting it is rapidly evolving. There are six severed heads found on the side of the road with a chilling message in one of Mexico's safest regions.
• Brutality is normalized. Hanging people from bridges is now considered kind if they can find the body.
• The guest states the violence wasn't ever talked about in high school growing up. Now it's everywhere.
• The origin of cartels is traced back to the 70s/80s, originally dealing in heroin. The origin of the drug dealing actually began with poppies from WWII.
• They are using Tik Tok to recruit.
• In one account, a Uber driver got into an accident and needed money, so he looked up the cartel online and it led him to basic training.
• The origin of the new generation cartel, which was originally a zeta hunting force. They learned from others' success.
• The politicalization of cartels. They run their own candidates for political positions. 60 politicians were assassinated during the 2024 general and local elections.

Corruption/Politics in Mexico:

• The country is ruled by Morena, which allows them to grow (hugs not bullets). Mexico has liberals, too. Rural Mexico (southern Mexico) is the old Mexico. Central Mexico is where all the woke policies come from. Northern Mexico is where all the factories and hardworking people are.

El Mayo Sambada & Cartel Intrigue:

• The discussion turns to the arrest of El Mayo Zambada, a key cartel leader. There are different stories about how he gave himself up and why. They believe there was a deal made. The Governor of Sinoa was even about to meet with Alio in order to negotiate a dispute with a friend of Alio.
• After Almayo gave himself up. His sons made a deal as well.
• The cartel was able to fly over with a private plane and deliver the cartel head and take their sons to the United States as they work out a deal.
• El Chapo Guzman is basically forgotten.
• Open warfare is erupting in the cartel since El Chapo Guzman is in a hole, and his sons aren't as powerful as Almayo.
• The administration is blaming the US for coming in and abducting Almayo, even going so far to charge Alio with high treason.

Brutality/Propaganda:

• There are reports of members of families shooting up all the luxury houses in another families sector.
• The lack of ear protection is discussed with them using machine guns in close proximity.
• A tale of recruitment through TikTok is discussed. An Uber driver gets hired by the cartel through advertising on Tik Tok. He undergoes violent, intense training, before going to tank warfare.
• The cartels want to see if the recruit will crack under pressure from law enforcement.
• It was rumored that former American special operations members were training the recruits in the hills. Colombian special forces were also assisting. They are learning drone warfare, IED deployment and all of these things.

Body Disposal & Lack of Justice:

• Cartels have become very good at getting rid of bodies in Mexico.
• In one region, they use heated drums of diesel to essentially boil bodies until nothing remains.
• They also mentioned using pink slurry.
• 90% of murders are unsolved, mostly because if the official did it well, they're dead.
• The guest explains the cartel is so ingrained in the government, you'll need to go after the government to affect change.

Origin and Funding:

• El Chapo Guzman learned from an old school police officer how to run a cartel, who also played a part in the Bay of Pigs.
• Another guest chimed in about how the CIA also had a hand in Freeway Rickie Ross.
• The guest showed an interview where Los Angeles police detective said the agency has dealt drugs throughout this country for a long time.
• The CIA has been involved in a murder house where the DEA agent Kiki Camarena, which they call, "La Casa De La CIA".

What does all this add up to?

• The United States has authorized military action in all of South America. They want the industrial plants. But the main target might be the new generation cartel. This is just speculation.
• If a civil war were to happen, some believe it would turn them into freedom fighters. And they could be integrated with the military.
• The government has clear cartel ties. And Mexico was a very well versed into blaming the US for a lot of their issues.

Immigration Discussion and Destabilization:

• An analysis of what would happen if a certain candidate didn't win. With that. there are mass depletions because of people treating people as numbers.
• They are now talking about amnesty. The illegals get EBID cards and money. They are used as political pieces.
• As for the US perspective, the guest shares how there was extreme difficulty in becoming a citizen, even when having a wife and children.
• People want to keep America, America. We have 2nd grade citizens that were brought to the country. There are US homeless living in Tijuana.
• They are trying to stop human and child trafficking.

The American Drug Appetite and Solutions:

• It is explained that the opioid epidemic and monocrop with drugs has lead the United States to where it is with the fentynal crisis.
• There is more and more fentynal in the mail from cartels that are selling their drugs there. The cartels down in Mexico know the poison and will not allow anyone to distribute, sell, or produce it.
• The forerunners for this all come from China. China may be turning a blind eye to the Mexican crisis.
• Discussion on Venezuela and Cuba's relationship with China and the impact it's had on the state.
• $50 million dollar bounty on Maduro to get to the bottom of it all.

Declining of Mexico:

• You see less American immigrants and now Americans with their own homeless people and their own set of issues that have arisen in the past couple of years.
• People look back at everything the United States has and realize that they should do something now in order to have an impact down the road.
• There is mention of that Mexico is close to socialistic ways.

America's Role and the Path Forward:

• The US is still trying to figure out a path forward, even though they have been in high level talks.
• They question whether China is behind the Mexican cartel violence.
• There needs to be a resolution to find a better America for us all.
• Mexico needs a powerhouse to economically stand. There is no path forward with isolated United States.
• There will need to be heavy consequences in getting illegals, gun running, and trafficking.
• The guest also questions:
  • What should the US do to get the US involved?
  • Are our officials fully investigated into the cartels?

Where it will end?

• There are people out there in the government that care. People are tired of all this. The problem in all this is everyone is blaming a certain side for all of this. And not putting in the work or acknowledging that it's all the same people, all sides, that's causing this.
• Both countries are linked and you can't change it.

This summary should give you a thorough overview of the video's content.