#341 Katarina Szulc - Cartels Are Recruiting Drone Operators From the Ukraine War

Katarina Szulc returns to discuss her recent reporting on Mexican cartels, organized crime, and political corruption. She begins by revisiting the Valeria Marquez case—a TikTok influencer murdered in Guadalajara—and discusses how journalist Luis Chaparro interviewed the alleged suspect who remains at large. Szulc emphasizes that if journalists can access these individuals, law enforcement likely can too, suggesting corruption and lack of political will rather than capability constraints.

The conversation shifts to the current cartel landscape. CJNG (Jalisco New Generation Cartel) has become the dominant organization in Mexico, particularly after El Mencho's death in February 2024 and his replacement by his stepson "03." Unlike expected chaos from losing a kingpin, CJNG's hierarchical structure—similar to a Fortune 500 company with regional commanders maintaining their own operations—allowed continuity. Szulc explains that cartels operate through sub-cells (like Fuerza Zacatecas Nueva Generación) that maintain territorial control while funneling profits to leadership.

The discussion covers cartel diversification beyond drugs. Szulc details how cartels now control avocado production in Michoacán, crude oil theft and trafficking, water supplies, WiFi services in small towns, and human trafficking networks. She emphasizes that eliminating drug demand won't eliminate cartels because they profit from nearly every good and service they can monopolize. Farmers growing avocados for 30 years face extortion quotas reaching 80% of revenue or lose their land entirely.

Human trafficking emerges as particularly brutal. Szulc describes a sophisticated "Romeo method" where recruiters target young women from conservative small towns, establish romantic relationships, then force them into sex work in border cities like Tijuana. She interviewed a woman who was trafficked for 10 years, forced to serve 30+ clients nightly, and remained tied to her trafficker through a child. Police refused to help, claiming it was a spousal dispute. Most clients were identified as American citizens. Szulc notes that trafficking networks originate from Mexican states like Tlaxcala and extend into major U.S. cities (San Diego, Houston, LA, New York). When attempting to interview Tlaxcala's governor about the state's reputation as a trafficking hub, her office offered payment in exchange for favorable coverage—the first time Szulc experienced such direct bribery.

On political corruption, Szulc explains that over 50% of Mexico's population has some nexus to organized crime, from street lookouts to politicians. Cartels are among Mexico's top three employers. Governor Rubén Rocha Moya of Sinaloa, accused of alliance with El Chapo's faction, allegedly benefited from El Mayo's capture (orchestrated by Chapitos to resolve disputes). Politicians face impossible choices: refuse cartel demands and face death, or accept payment and become complicit.

The Ukraine connection reveals a new recruitment pipeline. Szulc discovered that cartels recruited foreign fighters trained in FPV drone operations from Ukraine through social media. Some individuals were sent with false documentation to Ukrainian training facilities, learned drone tactics, then returned to Mexico as instructors. Others are being recruited directly from active service in Ukraine and traveling to Mexico to fight for CJNG in Michoacán. Colombian fighters have been documented wearing patches representing Colombia, Ukraine, and Mexico. Szulc investigated these training facilities and found drones being modified with 3D-printed components and equipped with explosives targeting law enforcement and rival cartel members.

On potential U.S. intervention, Szulc argues drone strikes are unlikely because cartels are already killing each other effectively—the current strategy of splattering organizations appears more cost-effective. She's skeptical of the "kingpin strategy" given El Mencho's death produced no organizational collapse. The FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) designation of cartels has had minimal operational impact; cartel members treat it with indifference.

Regarding international scope, Szulc confirms cartel influence extends throughout Central and South America, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. Cultural influence is visible in cartel-dominated regions—Colombian border towns play Mexican regional music due to historical Sinaloa Cartel presence. European countries, particularly Spain, face significant cartel infiltration with major drug distribution networks and safe havens for wanted individuals.

Looking forward, Szulc predicts: continued U.S. efforts to turn cartels against each other through psychological operations and misinformation; CJNG's continued rise and expansion despite leadership changes due to the Valencia family's resources and intelligence; and potential shifts in Mexican political leadership toward closer U.S. collaboration, though she expresses concerns about individual agendas.

Szulc emphasizes that dismantling cartels requires coordinated international effort addressing not just drug supply but weapons smuggling from the U.S., stolen crude oil purchases by American refineries, and political reform in Mexico—none of which appear imminent.