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Mexico just took out El Mencho – and the cartels answered by setting cities on fire, trapping tourists and going head‑to‑head with the army. In this sit down I break down who El Mencho really was, how CJNG built its own “military,” what really happened in that operation, and why the retaliation looked like open war.
I’ll tell you what the news isn’t explaining: how a power vacuum like this works, who moves in next, and why this won’t stop the drugs and fentanyl from coming north. And I’ll make it clear how these cartels are nothing like the American or Italian mafia I was part of.
Former Mob Boss Breaks Down the El Mencho Mexican Cartel War
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00:00 – Mexico on fire after El Mencho
01:06 – Michael’s intro and love for Mexico
02:21 – State Department warnings and first questions
02:41 – Will the U.S. move on cartels?
03:11 – Drugs, fentanyl and Michael’s family tragedy
04:00 – Retaliation for taking out El Mencho
04:07 – Setting up cartels vs mafia comparison
04:28 – How El Mencho was killed in Jalisco
05:24 – U.S. intelligence support and Trump’s pressure
06:08 – Sanctuary cities and drugs pouring into California
07:37 – CJNG retaliation: buses burned, roads blocked, tourists trapped
08:40 – Puerto Vallarta shutdown and Mexican people
09:12 – Who El Mencho was and how CJNG operated
10:20 – Cartels’ military power vs mafia’s limits
11:45 – U.S. indictments, rewards and El Mencho’s family in custody
12:39 – Who benefits: Mexican government, U.S. law enforcement
14:13 – Power vacuum: Sinaloa, local gangs and rising violence
15:23 – Who loses: civilians, tourism and local police
16:02 – What to expect: paramilitary cartels and short‑term fallout
17:51 – Succession, plaza bosses and CJNG’s future
19:09 – Drug flows won’t stop and border politics
19:56 – Travel advisories and “wait and see”
20:27 – Major differences between cartels and the mafia
24:34 – Mafia rules on drugs and correcting online myths
25:39 – How cartels were built on drugs and became paramilitary
27:06 – Why cartels can’t operate in the U.S. like in Mexico
27:39 – Summing up: two totally different organizations
29:21 – Michael’s advice on Mexico travel and staying alert
30:16 – Dangerous world, Dubai safety and health focus
32:22 – Wine, additives and “healthier European wines”
33:29 – Blessing Mexico, the U.S. and the oppressed
33:52 – Christians, Trump and policy vs personality
35:04 – Asking for honest, intelligent political conversation
36:28 – Final sign‑off and “God bless”
Backbone Media Group
21 Comments
Mafia listening mafias
Learned that Scorsese and Di Caprio are working on the bio of HH Holmes. American serial killer like Jack Ripper in London. Gilded Age in America.
Any thoughts?
Watching your channel with benefit. Best to you
Any special approach to Lent 2026?
Operation distract from the Trumpstein Files.
Another day has passed since the credible paperwork proving Trump is a chomo was released – another day of Mike ignoring it.
Growing up in Northern ireland we seen this on our streets since 1969, once a top dog gets whacked the 2nd in command takes over,
Amazes me how many people go on holiday there
Stopping drug flow across the world is not possible. The United States and other countries has spent trillions of dollars on this since the 1970’s and have failed. It’s political theatre and not reality.
Half of what he is saying is total Bullsh💩t.
EL……. was the real president of Mexico as you can see. They set up El mayo so youll get 2 or 3 new heads. Who are not known yet. They burned sinaloa. This guy dies your told to not even travel there. Yes Guy was definitely bad guy. When you kill people on video even if your famous. Not really a guy you want to talk about. You do ? Your clock stops tickin. But if you eliminate the bad guy your problem just got bigger. Now there leader is dead. They fear no one again an so as you see they keep getting worse. EL…… had his bf who helped him in his position killed for not following suit an doing his own thing. Took out his wifes dad to run the family business. Government does the same thing operates with breaking the laws they set them self. But when they do mise well make an award for it.
The aic aed ibf also allow the traffic of drugs to flow even when they know who is doing it. Ah lets bust him in 5 years.
NAS / MOSAD#1 CARTEL #2 AIC(AED IBF) #3 MAFIA #4 CITY GANGS.
Good day, can you talk about the weapon's that are sold to the cartels that are US military exclusive use. How do they get into the cartels hands here in mexico. Thank you
I love the painting tho would love to have a copy
I respect the Italian people because they have order in their community and you cannot come into their community and do what you want to do period. And if you look at hard alot of other outside people tried to organize themselves like the Italian s and couldn't. Yes, they were forces to be reconned with but nobody in this country reached the organization of whole communities the way the Italian people done and still do today. People feel safe in their community because they have someone making sure they are safe. Is it perfect NO but it's a lot better than some other communities I see that are full of chaos full of people that don't feel safe. This is my opinion only and I could be wrong I'm only human.
Fun fact:
The CJNG cartel without el Mencho 👑 they have their own triumvirate running things 🦅🇮🇹🇲🇽
The Italian Mafia had honor whereas the Mexican cartels have zero honor or decency.
Might want to change your mind on Dubai at the moment for the moment at least……..smdh sad what's happening all over the 🌎
Rumors cartel took Nancy guttrrie to send a message that's why we went in early stay frosty
The people in Mexico wants the law for death penalty….. eye for n eye … teeth for teeth for any body that killed and are doing extortionist’s .
You cannot be Democrat and be Christian.Their morals don't collide , republicans have morals this ex mobster is right