Borderland: Dispatches with Katarina Szulc

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Cartel violence. Kidnappings. Disappearances. The headlines don’t tell the full story. Borderland: Dispatches, an IRONCLAD Original, delivers raw, on-the-ground updates from Mexico’s cartel war. Hosted by investigative journalist Katarina Szulc, the series offers real-time snapshots of a conflict reshaping the future of both Mexico and the U.S. With rare access to traffickers, law enforcement, and civilians caught in the crossfire, these fast-moving episodes expose the brutal truth behind the drug war. New dispatches drop every Thursday.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Inside America’s Narco Superhighway — Patrolling the Illinois/Indiana Cartel Pipeline

    Sponsors: Ground News Subscribe now and get 40% off the VANTAGE plan by going to ⁠https://www.groundnews.com/ironclad⁠ In this episode, Katarina joins a Gary, Indiana police officer on patrol along the major highways that connect Illinois and Indiana—routes that have become critical corridors for drug trafficking across the Midwest. Together, they explore how cartels move narcotics through America’s heartland, and the challenges law enforcement faces in stopping them. Borderland is an IRONCLAD ORIGINAL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min

  2. 28 AUG

    Pregnant Women Taken, Babies Trafficked in Alleged Cartel Attacks in Juárez

    On today’s episode, Katarina investigates new allegations in Ciudad Juárez, where women have long faced violence at the hands of cartels. Recent reports suggest that pregnant women are being specifically targeted, with claims that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is involved in trafficking their unborn children. Katarina looks into these disturbing accounts, the history of femicides in Juárez, and what this new angle reveals about cartel operations on the border. Borderland is an IRONCLAD ORIGINAL Sponsors:  Ground News Subscribe now and get 40% off the VANTAGE plan by going to https://www.groundnews.com/ironclad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min

  3. 21 AUG

    Mexico Transfers 26 Cartel Members to the U.S. in Trump Deal

    On today’s episode, Katarina discusses Mexico’s transfer of 26 cartel members to the United States in a high-stakes deal with the Trump administration. The move, which included figures from the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and Knights Templar, was celebrated as a win against organized crime, but also raised questions about political pressure, trade threats, and Mexico’s sovereignty. Katarina unpacks the motivations behind the deal, the implications for U.S.-Mexico relations, and what this unprecedented wave of extraditions reveals about the evolving fight against the cartels. Borderland is an IRONCLAD ORIGINAL Sponsors:  Ground News Subscribe now and get 40% off the VANTAGE plan by going to https://www.groundnews.com/ironclad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min

  4. 12 AUG

    Mexico Rejects U.S. Military Presence Amid Trump’s Secret Directive

    On today’s episode, Katarina breaks down Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s clear rejection of U.S. military operations on Mexican soil. This follows reports that President Trump signed a secret directive authorizing military action against drug cartels in Latin America. Sheinbaum’s stance underscores Mexico’s insistence on sovereignty despite ongoing security cooperation with the U.S. The episode examines the impact of this tension on bilateral relations and regional security dynamics. Borderland is an IRONCLAD ORIGINAL Sponsors:  Ground News Subscribe now and get 40% off the VANTAGE plan by going to https://www.groundnews.com/ironclad or clicking the link in the description Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min

  5. 7 AUG

    No Death Penalty: Why the DOJ Is Sparing El Mayo and What’s Next for the Cartel Trials

    On today’s episode, Katarina discusses: the arrest of Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and the 17 charges he faces in U.S. federal court. Also in focus: the DOJ’s decision not to pursue the death penalty for Zambada, Rafael Caro Quintero, and Vicente Carrillo Fuentes—opening the door to plea deals and potential cooperation. Plus, updates on Ovidio Guzmán López’s guilty plea and what these developments could mean for future cartel prosecutions. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min

  6. 5 AUG

    Narco Drones: How Cartels Are Exploiting Ukraine’s Warzone for Training

    On today’s episode, Katarina breaks down how Latin American criminal groups have exploited Ukraine’s warzone to gain advanced FPV drone training. In 2025, Mexico’s National Intelligence Center warned Ukraine’s security services that individuals from Mexico and Colombia were joining the International Legion under false identities—not to fight, but to train. A joint investigation revealed that some Spanish-speaking recruits, including ex-GAFE and former FARC members, focused solely on drone warfare. One operative, “Águila-7,” impressed instructors with his technical skills before disappearing, later linked to Mexican cartel networks. Through PMC-style logistics and forged documents, these operatives gained access to elite training centers. Ukrainian officials now acknowledge the risk of drone tactics spreading to organized crime and have launched countermeasures with international partners. The episode explores how a battlefield became a training ground for a new kind of warfare. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  7. 31 JUL

    Why U.S. Institutions Fail to Stop the CCP’s Deep Infiltration Strategy

    On today’s episode, Katarina is joined by a former intelligence analyst to break down how the Chinese Communist Party uses community associations, tech companies, student groups, and overseas police stations to extend its influence in Western countries. Together, they explore the role of fentanyl supply chains, financial entanglements with U.S. elites, and how historical lessons from the Opium Wars shape modern CCP strategy. This episode explores the subtle but far-reaching tactics of political, economic, and societal infiltration.  Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min

  8. 29 JUL

    Unmasking the Extortion Networks Fueling Violence Against Women in Mexico

    On today’s episode, Katarina discusses the death of Irma Hernández and the growing crisis of femicide in Mexico. She explores how extortion and violence are driving an increase in women’s deaths, shedding light on the dangerous realities many face. This episode dives into the broader implications for safety and justice in the region.  Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min
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Cartel violence. Kidnappings. Disappearances. The headlines don’t tell the full story. Borderland: Dispatches, an IRONCLAD Original, delivers raw, on-the-ground updates from Mexico’s cartel war. Hosted by investigative journalist Katarina Szulc, the series offers real-time snapshots of a conflict reshaping the future of both Mexico and the U.S. With rare access to traffickers, law enforcement, and civilians caught in the crossfire, these fast-moving episodes expose the brutal truth behind the drug war. New dispatches drop every Thursday.

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