While on route to her next assignment, Katarina takes a break from the frontlines to answer the questions you’ve been asking. From the latest on Ryan Wedding’s arrest to the realities of reporting on Mexican cartels, international crime, and organized crime networks, Katarina gives unfiltered insights from her years of on-the-ground journalism. She also opens up about the risks, challenges, and surprising moments behind the stories she covers, and what drives her to keep going back into the heart of the narco world.

Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original

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While on route to her next assignment, Katarina takes a break from the frontlines to answer the questions you’ve been asking. From the latest on Ryan Wedding’s arrest to the realities of reporting on Mexican cartels, international crime, and organized crime networks, Katarina gives unfiltered insights from her years of on-the-ground journalism. She also opens up about the risks, challenges, and surprising moments behind the stories she covers, and what drives her to keep going back into the heart of the narco world.

Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original

Chapters:

(00:00)- Unpacking Ryan Wedding's Surrender and Apprehension Details

(05:35)- Navigating Journalism's Dangers and Expanding Global Coverage

(11:29) - Finding Satisfaction, Speaking Spanish, and Exposing Political Corruption

(18:14)- The Scariest Moment: Protecting Sources from Law Enforcement

(21:18)- Pursuing Dream Interviews While Prioritizing Personal Safety

(23:43)- Exposing Ryan Wedding's Fake AI-Generated Instagram Account

(26:58)- Admiration of Anthony Bourdain 

(29:02)- Fentanyl Crisis, Middle East Reporting

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Norwood Sawmills:

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On today’s episode of Borderland Dispatches, Katarina breaks down the surrender of Ryan Wedding, his transfer to U.S. custody, and the key players involved, including Kash Patel, Omar Harfuch, and Mexican authorities. Guests Stefano Ritondale from @All_Source_News

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Producer’s note: This episode features on-the-ground reporting and is best experienced on video via Spotify or YouTube (@thisisironclad)

On today’s episode, Katarina reports from the Colombia–Venezuela border, investigating organized crime, drug routes, and fuel smuggling along one of the world’s most dangerous borders.
Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
GHOSTBED:
Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/DISPATCHES and use code DISPATCHES for an extra 15% off sitewide.
Norwood Sawmills:
Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at
https://norwoodsawmills.com/

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On today’s episode, Katarina reports from the Colombia–Venezuela border in the days following Nicolás Maduro’s capture. Joined by journalist Ioan Grillo, she documents conditions on the ground, the presence of international press, and the restrictions facing journalists attempting to cross.

Watch the full report on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FavpHWbbn8

Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original

Sponsors:

GHOSTBED:
Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/DISPATCHES and use code DISPATCHES for an extra 15% off sitewide.

Norwood Sawmills:
Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Katarina speaks with Ringmast4r, an American-Venezuelan ethical hacker, about the country’s digital infrastructure and citizen tracking systems, including technology developed with Chinese assistance. They discuss life in Venezuela following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, how the government continues to monitor and control citizens, and the heightened paranoia and challenges faced by the population.

Borderland Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original

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IG: https://www.instagram.com/thisisironclad/

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad

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This weekend, Borderland: Dispatches host Katarina Szulc was able to connect with acclaimed cartel investigative reporter Ioan Grillo, from the border of Columbia and Venezuela, who gave an inside look at the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

In this special episode of Borderland: Dispatches, Ioan Grillo and Katarina talk about what the situation is like on the ground, what comes next, and what the implications are for cartels, organized crime, and the drug war.

Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original.

More from IRONCLAD:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thisisironclad/

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad

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Katarina looks back at some of the biggest cartel stories of the year and gives updates about the current war on drugs.

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What does a spike in drug seizures on the southern border tell us about the state of the crackdown on cartels.

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Watch Katarina's Discoveries at the San Diego border at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVQTfAdIs00

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