500: Ed Calderon | Survival Secrets of a Drug War Veteran Part One

Cartel Origins

Ed Calderon provides a riveting account of the origins of the Zetas cartel, a group initially composed of Mexican special forces trained by the United States. These elite soldiers deserted to work as bodyguards for the Gulf Cartel, eventually splintering off to form their own hyper-violent organization. Jordan Harbinger highlights the drastic pay difference that lured these soldiers away from their official duties, emphasizing the cartel's ability to offer significantly higher wages.

They deserted, they went to work as a bodyguarding group for them, and then as an enforcement arm for them. And then they realized, "Hey, we can do this for ourselves. Why are we working for somebody else?"

--- Ed Calderon

The Zetas, once a formidable force, have now become a shadow of their former selves, but their legacy of militarized violence and strategic infiltration remains a significant part of cartel history 1 2.

   

Dominance Tactics

The Sinaloa Cartel's dominance tactics are both brutal and strategic. Ed Calderon recounts an incident where the cartel mobilized an overwhelming show of force to protect a high-ranking member, effectively taking control of Culiacán's airspace and outnumbering the Mexican military. This event underscores the cartel's ability to outgun and outmaneuver government forces, using tactics reminiscent of military operations.

It was a very clear expression of show off force from the cartels and as far as how much they can muster as far as armed people and how they own a state.

--- Ed Calderon

The cartels have adopted a strategy similar to the US military's "hearts and minds" approach, building schools and policing their areas to gain local support, further entrenching their influence in the regions they control 3 4.

   

Government Struggle

The power struggle between cartels and the Mexican government is a complex and ongoing battle. Jordan Harbinger and Ed Calderon discuss how cartels have infiltrated various levels of government, making it difficult to distinguish between state and criminal activities. This infiltration is evident in how certain cartels grow and wane depending on the political climate and the officials in power.

Felipe Calderón for people that don't know, he's the one that officially kicked off the modern drug war that's going on in Mexico. And he basically said at the start of his administration, he made it a point to go after cartels. "Enough is enough," basically, he said.

--- Ed Calderon

The discussion also highlights the dire choices faced by ordinary citizens, who often find themselves relying on cartels for basic services and protection due to the government's failure to provide 5 6.