Vincent “Rocco“ Vargas talks with journalist Ioan Grillo about the targeting of an outspoken Mexican mayor by the CJNG cartel and their police force infiltrations.
They discuss …
how cartel violence and extortion are worsening across Mexico
the risks faced by leaders who speak out, and
the growing unrest sparked by these attacks
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:18 Overview of how cartels diversified from drugs into extortion and shakedowns
02:32 Evolution from kidnapping to extortion due to government crackdowns
04:24 Case study of the highest extortion rate per capita in Mexico
05:44 Personal story of a grocery store owner forced to pay extortion
08:29 Connection between drug trade organizations and extortion operations
16:39 Consequences of defying cartels - murders and violent retaliation
21:28 Carlos Manzo murder case - mayor killed for standing up to cartels
35:50 How cartels maintain legitimacy through the Robin Hood image and community support
47:49 convenience store case - successful corporate resistance to extortion
