Part 10/15:
Despite high-profile arrests (notably El Chapo), the officer believes that the real puppet masters remain elusive, operating through proxies and underground hierarchies. The widespread corruption, not just in Mexico but also influenced by U.S. interests, complicates efforts to dismantle the networks.
He mentions how the cartel’s influence extends into property, human trafficking, piracy, extortion, and international business—operations diversified and embedded in legitimate economies.