From Trap Music to Booby Traps, Cartels Are Armed for War
From being on the ground in conflict zones like Jalisco and Sinaloa, I’d say this isn’t just crime anymore. This is modern warfare. And it’s being streamed, sold, and shipped across every border.
In the heart of Mexico's tumultuous landscape, an arms race unfolds—not between nations, but among the country’s most formidable criminal organizations. The cartels, once primarily traffickers of narcotics, have evolved into paramilitary forces, wielding an arsenal of high-powered weaponry, drones, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), all while weaponizing digital platforms for recruitment, intimidation, and propaganda. What began in the 1980s with handguns and bribes has escalated into a full-scale insurgency, and the contrast between then and now is nothing short of staggering.
From the Guadalajara Cartel to the Cartel Militias of Today
In the 1980s, the Guadalajara Cartel, once the most powerful drug trafficking organization in Mexico, operated with a mix of corruption, influence, and basic firearms. Their power stemmed more from control of trafficking routes and protection from state actors than from overwhelming firepower. Their arsenals included pistols, shotguns, and basic automatic rifles like AR-15s—sufficient for the era’s conflicts, but modest by today’s standards. Violence was strategic, not chaotic. There were no drones, no armored convoys, no IEDs.
Fast forward to 2025, and the situation is radically different…
You'll need to subscribe if you want the full story. But here’s what you get: exclusive interviews with insiders, access to a group chat where you can ask questions and discuss, and deep-dive reports that cut through the noise. With major developments on the horizon, now’s the time to get ahead of the news. Stay informed, not just intrigued.