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

Disappearances

The phenomenon of mass disappearances in Mexico is both alarming and complex. Ed Calderon highlights the staggering number of people who vanish without a trace, often ending up in mass graves. He explains that these disappearances are not always cartel-related, as the Mexican government often claims, but can also be the result of other sinister activities 1. Calderon provides chilling examples, such as the killing fields in Juárez, where hundreds of women were found raped, tortured, and murdered, often dismissed as cartel violence by authorities 1.

The industrial level of people getting disappeared in Mexico basically is insane. I mean, how many people are just gone and how many mass graves are found and how many mass graves are just reported in the news every week?

--- Ed Calderon

This systemic issue is exacerbated by the government's tendency to label any discovered bodies as cartel-related, which oversimplifies and obscures the true nature of these crimes 1.

   

Safety Threats

Cartel violence in Mexico poses significant public safety threats, creating an environment of terror and instability. Ed Calderon describes how cartels often have more firepower and influence than local law enforcement, leading to situations where even the military is forced to retreat 2. He recounts instances where the Mexican Marines, trusted over the Army due to corruption, were found protecting cartel operatives, highlighting the deep-seated corruption within the military 2.

Imagine that a criminal group like that taking over LA and having the US military send in people and then retreat. Just imagine that.

--- Ed Calderon

Calderon also shares a harrowing story of a Mexican Marine unit executing unarmed civilians, illustrating the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminal activity in some regions 3. This pervasive corruption and violence leave civilians in a precarious position, with little trust in their protectors and no means to defend themselves 2.

   

Corruption

Corruption within Mexican law enforcement and politics significantly hampers efforts to combat cartel violence. Ed Calderon explains how political changes every six years often reset any progress made in fighting crime, as new administrations discard previous efforts 4. He shares personal experiences of working in a unit certified by a US-based organization to ensure integrity, yet still encountering colleagues who were secretly on the cartel's payroll 4.

People just know that some of the people that came in were Sinaloa Cartel guys or New Generation Cartel guys. It's just like a spoken secret.

--- Ed Calderon

This systemic corruption is further complicated by the multi-party political system in Mexico, which often leads to inconsistent and ineffective policies against organized crime 4. Calderon's insights reveal the challenges of maintaining integrity and effectiveness in such a compromised environment.