Borderland with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

On this episode of Borderland, Vince chats with Keith Newton, a PSYOP specialist, about how Information Operations (IO) campaigns work and the media’s role in shaping narratives. They explore how news outlets align stories with political agendas and discuss the media’s portrayal of the border crisis.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.

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On today's episode, Vince sits down with journalist, writer, producer, and podcast host Ioan Grillo.

Ioan has been covering the drug cartels in Latin America since 2001, and has recently been on the grounds in Sinaloa, Mexico covering the brutal civil war that has broken out since El Mayo's arrest between two factions of the cartel -- the Mayos and the Chapitos.

He is also the author of three books: Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartels, Gangster Warlords: Drug Dollars, Killing Fields, and the New Politics in Latin America, and El Narco: Inside Mexico’s Criminal Insurgency 

He continually publishes about cartels and Narco politics on his Substack, CrashOutMedia, and is the host of the CrimeWar podcast. 

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.

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A 4-PART BORDERLAND SPECIAL SERIES:

EPISODE 4: THE ULTRA-VIOLENT RISE AND DRAMATIC FALL OF MS-13

On the southern border, there is a legal concept known as “reasonable fear.” If an asylum officer determines that a migrant has a “reasonable fear of persecution or torture” if returned to their home country, then removal procedures can be delayed. And, in the current border crisis, there’s been no greater source of “reasonable fear” cases than the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime. 

In each episode we take a deep dive into the border crisis to find the primary players behind the violence, the scope of these transnational criminal enterprises, and the state of the narco wars.

In this episode, host Vince ‘Rocoo’ Vargas, looks the ultra-violent rise -- and dramatic fall -- of MS1-3.

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A 4-PART BORDERLAND SPECIAL SERIES:

EPISODE 3: CJNG: THE CARTEL IN AMERICA'S LIVING ROOMS

On the southern border, there is a legal concept known as “reasonable fear.” If an asylum officer determines that a migrant has a “reasonable fear of persecution or torture” if returned to their home country, then removal procedures can be delayed. And, in the current border crisis, there’s been no greater source of “reasonable fear” cases than the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime. 

In each episode we take a deep dive into the border crisis to find the primary players behind the violence, the scope of these transnational criminal enterprises, and the state of the narco wars.

In this episode, host Vince ‘Rocoo’ Vargas, looks the CJNG (Jalisco New Generation Cartel) and the elaborate schemes they are perpetrating on elderly Americans.

Check out the REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec?=RFTRAILER

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A 4-PART BORDERLAND SPECIAL SERIES:

EPISODE 2: THE CULT OF SANTA MUERTE

On the southern border, there is a legal concept known as “reasonable fear.” If an asylum officer determines that a migrant has a “reasonable fear of persecution or torture” if returned to their home country, then removal procedures can be delayed. And, in the current border crisis, there’s been no greater source of “reasonable fear” cases than the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime. 

In each episode we take a deep dive into the border crisis to find the primary players behind the violence, the scope of these transnational criminal enterprises, and the state of the narco wars.

In this episode, host Vince ‘Rocoo’ Vargas, takes a deep dive into the Santa Muerte religious movement.

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A 4-PART BORDERLAND SPECIAL SERIES:

REASONABLE FEAR EPISODE 1: MISSING AND MURDERED WOMEN AND GIRLS OF JUAREZ

On the southern border, there is a legal concept known as “reasonable fear.” If an asylum officer determines that a migrant has a “reasonable fear of persecution or torture” if returned to their home country, then removal procedures can be delayed. And, in the current border crisis, there’s been no greater source of “reasonable fear” cases than the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime. 

In each episode we take a deep dive into the border crisis to find the primary players behind the violence, the scope of these transnational criminal enterprises, and the state of the narco wars.

In this episode, host Vince ‘Rocoo’ Vargas, takes a deep dive into the missing and murdered women of Juárez.

Check out the REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec?=RFTRAILER

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Catch Borderland: REASONABLE FEAR, a 4-part docuseries starting on September 24th.

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In this episode of Borderland, Vince sits down with former DEA Chief of Operations, Ray Donovan, to break down the connection between China and Mexico in the fentanyl trade. They talk about how Chinese suppliers are fueling Mexican cartels with the chemicals needed to make fentanyl, and the challenges that come with taking on this deadly international pipeline.

Catch Borderland: REASONABLE FEAR, a 4-part docuseries starting on September 24th.

REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for Pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.

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Today on Borderland, Vince sits down with New York Post reporter, Jennie Taer.

For most of her career, Jennie has been reporting on activities at the Southern border. More recently, she has been covering the surge in illegal Venezuelan migration, including the growing presence of individuals linked to the Tren de Aragua gang -- a gang that has caused a surge in violence acts against American law enforcement.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.

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Today on Borderland, Vince sits down with former CIA Intelligence Officer, Andrew Bustamante.

Andrew is known for his expertise in espionage, international relations, and leadership.

He is founder of Everyday Spy, a platform that teaches the application of spy tactics in everyday life to improve decision-making, personal security, and strategic thinking.

He is also the host of the Everyday Spy podcast and Youtube channel @Andrew-Bustamante

Want to learn more from Andy?
Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/Borderland 
Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante
Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/
Join the podcast: https://youtube.com/@EverydaySpyPodcast

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.

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