Total Chaos! The CIA Mexican Cartel PSYOP is Fully Unfolding in Mexico | Redacted News - redacted Recap

Podcast: redacted

Published: 2026-02-25

Duration: 59 minutes

Guests: Chad Bianco, Katarina Schultz

Summary

The episode uncovers the extensive U.S. complicity in arming Mexican cartels, with military-grade weapons frequently crossing the border. It examines the geopolitical implications of this arms flow and the operational capacity of cartels to destabilize regions in Mexico.

What Happened

Recent cartel violence in Mexico has forced widespread lockdowns, revealing the cartels' ability to paralyze entire regions. This is facilitated in part by U.S.-made weapons, with 78% of those seized from cartels originating from the United States. The episode points out that these weapons, including rifles and rocket launchers, are often trafficked through pipelines that U.S. authorities have failed to close.

The U.S. Justice Department's 2026 budget cuts nearly half a billion dollars from efforts to investigate illegal gun trafficking, further complicating the issue. Meanwhile, the elimination of the ATF as a standalone agency has hindered gun tracing operations, allowing more weapons to flow into the hands of cartels.

Military-grade weapons sent to Ukraine are reportedly ending up with Mexican gangs, demonstrating the unintended consequences of international arms distribution. Despite designating cartels as foreign terrorist groups, the U.S. continues to inadvertently arm them, creating a paradox in its foreign policy.

The episode also delves into the diversification of cartel operations, which have expanded beyond drugs into human trafficking, money laundering, and investments in legitimate businesses like agriculture and shipping. This diversification makes the cartels highly organized and profitable entities.

A significant development was the capture and killing of El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, reportedly with the aid of U.S. intelligence. This has led to further violence as power struggles ensue within the cartel.

The involvement of the CIA in these dynamics is suggested, with accusations of profiting from the sale of weapons on the secondhand market. The episode highlights the broader context of U.S. interests in destabilizing Mexico for strategic purposes.

With California serving as a cartel hub, the episode examines the shifting focus of cartel operations from drug trafficking to more lucrative human trafficking activities. This shift occurred when border shutdowns under the Trump administration reduced trafficking routes.

Lastly, the episode highlights the cooperative efforts between local law enforcement and the federal government in tackling human and drug trafficking, while emphasizing the challenges posed by the cartels' superior firepower.

Key Insights

• 78% of weapons seized from Mexican cartels originate from the United States, yet the U.S. Justice Department has cut nearly half a billion dollars from its 2026 budget for investigating illegal gun trafficking, exacerbating the flow of arms.
• Military-grade weapons intended for Ukraine are reportedly ending up with Mexican gangs, highlighting a paradox where the U.S. inadvertently arms cartels while designating them as foreign terrorist groups.
• The Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader, El Mencho, was captured and killed with U.S. intelligence assistance, sparking further violence due to internal power struggles.
• Cartels in Mexico have diversified into human trafficking, money laundering, and legitimate businesses, transforming them into highly organized and profitable entities that challenge traditional law enforcement methods.

Key Questions Answered

How do U.S. weapons end up in the hands of Mexican cartels?

78% of weapons seized from Mexican cartels come from the United States, often through trafficking pipelines that remain unclosed due to budget cuts and operational challenges within U.S. law enforcement.

What role did the U.S. play in the capture of El Mencho?

U.S. intelligence reportedly helped Mexico capture and kill El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, indicating a significant involvement in cartel-related operations.

How are cartels diversifying their operations beyond drug trafficking?

Cartels have expanded into human trafficking, money laundering, and investments in legitimate businesses such as agriculture, shipping, and mining, making them multifaceted and lucrative organizations.