CrashOut by Ioan Grillo

CrashOut by Ioan Grillo investigates the complex interplay of drug cartels, state responses, and societal impacts across Latin America and the U.S., exploring themes of violence, corruption, and resilience. It delves into specific case studies, offering insights into crime dynamics, government actions, and the human stories within these contexts.

Drug Cartels and Organized Crime State Responses to Crime Human Rights and Social Impact Cybercrime and Dark Web Activities Journalism and Media in Crime Reporting Cultural and Historical Aspects of Crime Government Corruption and Political Ties Migration and Human Smuggling Economic and Social Drivers of Crime Legal and Policy Challenges

The hottest Substack posts of CrashOut by Ioan Grillo

And their main takeaways

Chamula Power; Mexico's Indigenous Cartel

569 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Indigenous Organized Crime Drugs
  1. The Chamula Cartel, formed by indigenous people in Mexico, wields considerable power in Chiapas, involving in activities like drug trade, human smuggling, and controlling informal commerce.
  2. The Chamulans have a history of resistance and rebellion, and while some have been displaced, others within the community have formed a cartel, uniting to gain power through organized crime.
  3. The involvement of the Chamula Cartel in various criminal activities, including drug trade and human smuggling, has led to increased violence and controversial practices like the production of indigenous women and underage girl pornography.

How Much of Mexico is Governed by Cartels?

648 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Cartels Mexico Government Crime
  1. Mexico is not entirely governed by cartels, but some areas have a duopoly of power between the state and crime groups.
  2. The concept of 'criminal governance' in parts of Latin America involves a duopoly of power - the state and the crime groups sharing control.
  3. While cartels exert control in specific regions, the Mexican government still operates in those areas providing services, indicating a distinctive form of hybrid conflict.

Did La Barbie Finance AMLO?

550 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics
  1. Explosive accusations were made against the Mexican president regarding narco funding in his 2006 election campaign.
  2. The DEA reportedly launched an investigation into the allegations against President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
  3. The issue has caused a divide between supporters and critics of the president.

Ecuador's Gangster Insurgency

511 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Latin America Crime Television Propaganda
  1. Ecuador faced a gangster insurgency involving violent actions like seizing TV stations and kidnapping police officers.
  2. The gangsters used propaganda tactics like releasing videos to spread fear and intimidation among the public.
  3. The situation in Ecuador reflects a broader issue of crime wars in Latin America, with implications beyond its borders.
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California’s Homegrown Serial-Killing Sicario

471 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌐 International Crime Drug Trafficking Organized Crime Cartels
  1. El Mano Negra, a California hitman, shares details of his narco hits and cartel operations in the United States
  2. Martinez, a prolific killer, operated for years without capture but finally faced trial and received multiple life sentences
  3. Martinez's motives for murder ranged from 'honor killings' to serving drug traffickers, highlighting the dark reality of cartel violence in the US

Mexico's Cartel Map 2024

569 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Cartels Mexico President Violence
  1. Cartels in Mexico are larger and more powerful than street gangs, controlling entire territories and influencing local governance.
  2. The division of cartels is analyzed in three levels: major transnational cartels, powerful regional cartels, and local cartels.
  3. Cartel control varies in intensity across different areas in Mexico, with some places experiencing more overt control while others have quieter, but still impactful, operations.

How Cartels Invaded Chiapas

589 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Cartels Crime Mexico Border
  1. Chiapas in Mexico is facing a serious crisis due to cartel invasions, leading to violence, instability, and control over various aspects of society.
  2. The presence of cartels in Chiapas has caused significant disruption to the local economy, especially impacting cross-border trade and migration routes.
  3. The government's absence and historical lack of strong presence in the region have allowed armed groups to flourish, leading to a complex web of power struggles and violence.

A December Shout To My Co-Conspirators

589 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
📰 News Investigative Journalism Podcasts Cartels
  1. Independent journalism can have a powerful impact by uncovering exclusive stories and challenging authority
  2. Growing newsletter subscriber numbers show a demand for unique content, with paid subscribers crucial for sustainability
  3. Newsletter updates and content variety, including podcasts and bilingual stories, keep readers engaged and interested

Searching For Ross McDonnell

727 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Filmmaking Documentary Journalism
  1. Ross McDonnell, a talented photographer and filmmaker, went missing in New York and was later found deceased on a beach in Queens.
  2. Ross McDonnell's work took him around the world, capturing impactful stories in places like Afghanistan, Mexico, and Ukraine.
  3. Ross McDonnell deeply touched the lives of many with his authenticity, talent, and ability to build genuine connections with the people he filmed.

Mexico's Worst Narco Massacres

707 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics War Crimes Violence
  1. Massacres in Mexico, like the one in Allende, have gone unnoticed for years, revealing a dark history of violence and cover-ups.
  2. Understanding and documenting these massacres is essential not just for legal purposes but also to prevent their repetition and preserve Mexico's historical memory.
  3. Mexico's drug war has resulted in horrific mass killings since 2010, demonstrating the extreme violence and chaos caused by the conflict.

Three Uncomfortable Truths About Bukele's Crackdown On Gangs

1218 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics International Human Rights Security Public Opinion Law enforcement
  1. The crackdown on gangs in El Salvador led by President Bukele has been effective in reducing crime rates significantly.
  2. Despite criticism, Bukele's offensive is popular among the people of El Salvador due to the tangible benefits seen from the eradication of gang influence.
  3. The methods used in the crackdown, while successful, have been brutal, leading to concerns about human rights violations and the high number of individuals incarcerated.

What Are Cartels?

707 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Organized Crime Drug Trafficking Violence Law enforcement
  1. The term 'cartel' is commonly used to describe organized crime networks in Mexico, but it can be criticized for being inaccurate and misleading.
  2. Despite critiques, there is clear evidence of powerful criminal networks in Mexico unleashing violence and running various illegal activities.
  3. While there are debates about the terminology, 'cartel' remains a widely understood term to represent these organized crime groups, even though nuances in their structures and operations exist.

The Dark Web and a Journalist Murder

825 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
📰 News Crime Dark web Journalism Assassination Investigation
  1. The dark web can be used for illicit activities like hiring hitmen and selling illegal weapons.
  2. Scammers on the dark web may offer false information about hiring hitmen to deceive others for financial gain.
  3. Investigating crimes on the dark web can reveal potential links to real-world incidents, showcasing the need for vigilance in cyberspace.

Fentanyl Crossing in "Vaginal Cavities and Rectums"

432 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Border Security Drug Trafficking International relations
  1. Cartels recruit young U.S. citizens near the border as 'body carriers' to smuggle fentanyl in hidden body cavities.
  2. Fentanyl smuggling through body carriers is a growing problem, with significant amounts being brought illegally into the United States.
  3. Social media platforms like Instagram are being used by cartels to entice and recruit young individuals to smuggle dangerous drugs.

"Islamic Terrorists" on the Rio Grande? Truth and Myths.

511 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Terrorism Latin America Middle East United States Mexico
  1. Exaggerated claims exist about jihadists crossing the border, but history shows Islamic terrorist groups in Latin America cannot be ignored.
  2. There have been confirmed cases of members of designated Islamic terrorist groups successfully crossing the southern border with credible links between drug traffickers and jihadists.
  3. While most terror attacks on U.S. soil since 9/11 have been by Americans, there is still a real history of incidents involving terrorists in Latin America and potential threats from jihadist connections in Mexico.

A Shout To My Readers and Supporters

1081 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
  1. Journalism is changing, with direct communication between writers and readers on platforms like Substack.
  2. Supporters play a vital role in sustaining independent journalism.
  3. Plans for future content include essays on Mexico, overdose crisis in the US, and a podcast series on Mexican traffickers.

How Cartels Infiltrate The Border Patrol

963 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Law enforcement Drug Trafficking Border Security Prison System
  1. Cartels use cash, sex, and blackmail to recruit corrupt border patrol agents.
  2. Corruption within Border Patrol includes officers waving vehicles of drugs through checkpoints.
  3. Challenges in stopping drug trafficking involve the strategic positions of corrupt border patrol agents and the complicity between law enforcement and drug traffickers.

Applied Math Versus Cartels

727 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Cartels Mexico Violence Recruitment Organized Crime
  1. Cartels in Mexico are one of the top employers with a large number of recruits that need to be replaced constantly to maintain their operations.
  2. Reducing cartel recruitment is crucial in lowering violence in Mexico and preventing youths from joining these criminal organizations.
  3. Mathematical modeling can provide insights into understanding and addressing the complex issue of organized crime in Mexico.

My Explosive Interview With Narco "Mini Lic"

511 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Cartels Corruption Elections
  1. The interview sheds light on the complexities of the Mexican drug trade and the involvement of high-profile cartel members.
  2. Dámaso's background as a narco junior and his interactions with powerful cartel figures offer insight into the inner workings of the criminal underworld.
  3. The interview also touches on the intersection of narco politics, including cartel involvement in elections and negotiations with government officials.

America's First Drug Cartel Was Not Colombian or Mexican; It Was The Italian-Jewish Mob

766 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
💾 History Organized Crime Drug Trafficking
  1. America's first drug cartel was built by Italian-Jewish mobsters, not Colombian or Mexican cartels.
  2. The mobsters in the US were heavily involved in narcotics despite the glamorized image of mafia dons being focused on honor rather than drug trafficking.
  3. Homegrown criminals from Italian, Jewish, and Irish backgrounds set the foundation for drug trafficking in the US, paving the way for later cartels like Colombians and Mexicans.

The World's Most Famous Narco Wife Walks

628 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Crime Gender Power Violence Drug Trafficking
  1. Emma Coronel is a famous figure due to her association with El Chapo and her glamour as a former beauty queen
  2. There is a long-standing interest in the role of narco wives in media and fiction, focusing on their relationships and power dynamics
  3. Despite her legal troubles, Coronel continues to attract media attention and appears to be navigating her situation strategically

Ecuador's Gangster Warlords and the Murder of a Presidential Candidate

727 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Crime Violence Corruption Elections
  1. Ecuador's democracy is impacted by gang violence, including the recent assassination of a presidential candidate.
  2. Gangsters in Ecuador have evolved into powerful political players, involving themselves in activities like drug trafficking and extortion.
  3. Crime wars involving mafia networks and corrupt security forces threaten the political and social fabric of Latin American societies.

Mini Lic, Life of a Narco Junior

314 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🌐 International True Crime Immigration
  1. The post discusses an interview with Dámaso López Serrano, a former narco turned DEA informant.
  2. Dámaso López Serrano shares personal stories about his relationship with El Chapo.
  3. The content is for paid subscribers only, covering sensitive topics.

Chalino, King of the Drug Ballad

628 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Music Crime History
  1. Chalino Sánchez emigrated to Los Angeles to pursue his music career but remained loyal to his roots in Sinaloa.
  2. Chalino revolutionized the narco corrido genre, paving the way for its popularity and influencing future artists.
  3. Chalino's life and music legacy continue to inspire, with his impact seen through murals, imitators, and his family's continued defense of his reputation.

So, is Mexico a Narco State?

766 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Drug Trafficking Corruption Governance Mexico Cartels
  1. Witnesses in a trial revealed deep connections between Mexican authorities and drug cartels, raising questions about government integrity.
  2. The term 'narco state' is used to describe a government infiltrated by drug cartels, a label that has been applied to Mexico.
  3. Despite the challenges, there are still functioning and legitimate institutions within Mexico that provide essential services to its people.

Accused Narco Official García Luna Faces Hesitant New York Jurors

668 implied HN points • 18 Jan 23
  1. García Luna, a former high-level Mexican official, faces trial in a US court for allegedly aiding the Sinaloa Cartel.
  2. New York jurors in the trial expressed hesitation and concerns during the selection process.
  3. Prosecutors in the case against García Luna claim to have strong evidence, including audio recordings and documents.

Mexico City's Murder Rate is Lower Than Portland or Dallas; It's a Reason the Gringos are Flocking Here

805 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
  1. Mexico City's murder rate is lower than cities like Portland or Dallas, making it an attractive destination for many
  2. Historically known as 'los onces,' crime journalists in Mexico City monitor murder scenes closely to report on violence
  3. Factors contributing to Mexico City's lower murder rate include cartel dynamics, law enforcement efforts, and political climate