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Joe Rogan and Ed Calderon discuss the strict new rules against climbing ancient Mayan pyramids, humorously warning that tourists attempting it today risk being 'lynched by the locals' if caught, a stark contrast to past allowances.
Ed Calderon challenges the popular misconception that all Mexicans are Aztec, explaining that the Aztecs were actually the 'losing side' and that many identify with other tribes.
Ed Calderon explains the true, often disturbing, origins and purpose of Aztec death whistles, revealing how they were used for psychological effect and to terrorize enemies during ancient 'flower wars'.
Ed Calderon recounts a shocking historical anecdote where an Aztec tax collector was eaten by a rival tribe, leading to Spanish alliances and highlighting the brutal realities of pre-colonial warfare.
Joe Rogan and Ed Calderon discuss the intriguing fact that many 'Aztec' pyramids were found already abandoned by the Aztecs themselves, who called them 'cities of the gods' because their original builders had vanished.
Ed Calderon reveals that ancient Mexican priests not only used psychedelic plants but also engaged in extreme self-harm and bloodletting rituals, like pulling thorns through private parts, to induce visions and transcend reality, a practice that surprisingly resonated with early Catholic worldviews.
Joe Rogan and Ed Calderon humorously recall how Brian Callen blowing an Aztec death whistle on the podcast coincided with the start of the pandemic, leading to the whistle's unexpected viral popularity.
Ed Calderon debunks the myth of the Mayans' disappearance, explaining they are still present in Mexico. He encourages visiting the anthropological museum to witness their 'startlingly advanced' and 'detailed' culture.
Ed Calderon clarifies that the Aztec Empire, often seen as ancient, is relatively new compared to the much older civilizations and peoples that existed in Mexico, challenging common historical perceptions.
Ed Calderon explains the surprising cultural syncretism in Mexico, where arriving Catholics found a 'perfect match' with indigenous beliefs, such as the veneration of a mother goddess at a grotto, leading to a unique blend of traditions including bloodletting and human sacrifice.
Ed Calderon discusses the modern denial of widespread human sacrifice in Aztec culture, countering claims of 'propaganda' by pointing to physical evidence like stone skull piles and specific sacrificial altars depicted in Aztec art, including the precise method of heart removal.
Joe Rogan and Ed Calderon discuss the staggering scale of Aztec human sacrifice, with estimates up to 80,000, and how Spanish conquistadors described the distinct, horrifying smell of the pyramids, likened to a 'slaughterhouse,' suggesting a 'genetic memory' of such primal fear.
Joe Rogan reflects on the chilling phenomenon of human intelligence being used for extreme cruelty and torture, describing how ancient public sacrifices, like heart removal, served not just ritual but also as a terrifying spectacle to keep populations 'on edge' through fear of death.
Ed Calderon traces the origins of major Mexican cartels back to the 1970s and 80s, revealing that heroin, not cocaine, was their initial focus. He explains how poppy cultivation began in Mexico during WWII and the Vietnam War to supply morphine to Americans, inadvertently laying the groundwork for the drug trade.
Ed Calderon discusses the severe, unaddressed mental and physical health consequences for young cartel members, like the recruit who suffered from PTSD and hearing loss after fighting in "tank warfare." He notes the lack of health insurance and awareness, leading to self-medication and unrecognized trauma, leaving thousands of traumatized individuals with no support.
Ed Calderon emphasizes that the US cannot effectively combat cartels in Mexico without addressing the government itself, as the two are often 'one and the same.' This highlights the deep-seated corruption that complicates any external intervention and makes traditional anti-cartel strategies ineffective.
Ed Calderon explains the origins of the Zetas cartel, noting that many of its founders were former Mexican special operators, some even trained at Fort Bragg and through the Green Beret course. These highly skilled individuals returned to Mexico and applied their military expertise to form a new, more militarized type of criminal organization, forever changing the landscape of cartel violence.
Ed Calderon reveals recently declassified CIA documents showing Mexican presidents were on the CIA payroll during the Cold War. He then speculates that after 9/11, the US likely bypassed the Mexican government and engaged in direct communication with cartels, who effectively 'own' the border, to ensure national security against potential threats like nuclear weapons.
Ed Calderon shares an incredible story of how Randy Blythe, the lead singer of Lamb of God, unexpectedly reached out to him after hearing about his public sobriety journey. Blythe, despite not knowing Calderon, offered to be his addiction sponsor, showcasing an inspiring act of solidarity and support from an unexpected source.
Ed Calderon discusses how fentanyl precursors originate from China and speculates that the Chinese government may be intentionally allowing or directing their flow to destabilize the United States. He argues that enabling a drug epidemic would be an effective strategy to undermine a rival country, highlighting China's growing influence in the illegal drug trade.
Ed Calderon details how Mexico has become a geopolitical battleground, likening it to a 'weird Vietnam' due to foreign influences from Venezuela, Cuba, and especially China. He explains how Chinese banking institutions facilitate cartel money laundering and questions the Chinese government's purported ignorance of its chemists teaching fentanyl production in Mexico, implying a directed effort to affect US interests.
Ed Calderon discusses the rise of Venezuelan Trenawa gangs in Mexico, filling power vacuums left by cartels, and the US placing a $50 million bounty on Venezuelan President Maduro, labeling him a cartel head. He speculates that US actions in the region, including Mexico and Venezuela, are driven by a larger agenda of regional stability and security, with Mexico's industrial potential seen as the 'next China' that the US aims to secure.
Ed Calderon highlights the tragic and immoral reality of deporting individuals who have lived in the US since childhood, speak fluent English, have careers, and families, only to be sent to a country they don't know. He shares personal anecdotes and emphasizes the ethical dilemma of such policies.
Ed Calderon exposes the stark irony and ineffectiveness of Mexico's strict gun laws, which prohibit ordinary citizens from owning basic means of self-defense, while organized crime groups operate with military-grade capabilities and a vast majority of murders go unsolved.
Joe Rogan draws a controversial parallel between the overt political influence of Mexican cartels and the subtle corruption of US pharmaceutical companies, arguing that both involve drug-related entities sponsoring politicians to push specific laws and mandates, albeit through different methods.
Ed Calderon details the controversial theory that El Chapo Guzman's sons cut a deal with US authorities, potentially involving the kidnapping and handover of El Mayo Zambada, the true leader of the Sinaloa cartel. Zambada claims he was abducted during a politically charged meeting involving the governor of Sinaloa and a university director, hinting at deep corruption and a state-backed cover-up.
Ed Calderon reveals a stunning detail: after El Mayo Zambada's arrest, 17 members of the Guzman family were secretly flown to Tijuana, crossed the border with suitcases, and were placed into FBI vans, now likely under protective custody in the US. This suggests a major deal was struck, as Zambada, now in US custody, 'knows everything' about the cartel's operations.
Ed Calderon explains the political fallout from El Mayo Zambada's arrest: the Mexican government, led by President Sheinbaum, is publicly blaming the US for abducting a Mexican national, El Mayo Zambada, and has even charged a key figure in the operation with high treason, revealing escalating tensions and a proxy war over cartel leadership.
Ed Calderon describes a chilling story of how a young Uber driver was recruited into a cartel after a car accident left him needing money. The recruitment happened openly through an advertisement on TikTok, highlighting the cartels' sophisticated and public use of social media for recruitment.
Ed Calderon recounts the shocking 'test' new cartel recruits endure. After being picked up, they are stopped by uniformed police, beaten and tortured. This seemingly brutal encounter is revealed to be a loyalty test, as the police are actually cartel members, demonstrating the deep infiltration of cartels into Mexican law enforcement.
Ed Calderon reveals the advanced training cartel members receive, often from active-duty Mexican military personnel and former special operators from Colombia, Mexico, and even rumors of American specialists. He highlights the transfer of military-grade tactics, like IEDs reminiscent of Afghanistan/Iraq, and the adoption of drone warfare, with Mexican operators returning from the Ukrainian front to teach cartels new techniques.
Ed Calderon describes the brutal initiation process for new cartel recruits, where they are handed a gun and ordered to kill a random, unarmed person to prove their worth. He shares the story of a young recruit whose first kill was an individual dragged into the camp, likely someone who tried to escape, highlighting the extreme violence and control within cartel organizations.
Ed Calderon explains the origins of fentanyl in Mexican heroin, detailing how depleted poppy fields led cartels to add fentanyl for potency. He reveals a shocking truth: Mexican cartels strictly prohibit local fentanyl sales, even killing those who do, because the deadly drug is meant solely for export to the United States, highlighting their cynical business model.
Ed Calderon details the horrific methods cartels use to dispose of bodies, making official missing persons and death tolls unreliable. He describes heating fuel drums with diesel to 'boil them down to their essential essence' in Coahuila, and in Tijuana, using cauldrons of diesel or caustic soda to turn bodies into 'pink slurry,' leaving nothing to find.
Ed Calderon describes the horrific reality of human and child trafficking at the US-Mexico border under the Biden administration's open border policy. He recounts witnessing drugged children with armbands being moved across the border as part of an organized effort, exposing the dark side of immigration and the tragic vulnerability of migrants.
Ed Calderon shares his personal journey as an immigrant, from coming to the US with nothing to building a company with employees and training federal forces. He asserts that the American Dream is real and he is proof, but warns that it is currently under attack from all sides, fueled by efforts to keep people fighting.
Ed Calderon reveals the extensive diversification of cartel operations beyond drugs, including fuel trafficking ('huachicol') and even controlling the avocado trade. He notes that if you order extra guacamole at Chipotle, you might be funding cartels, and highlights US involvement in the illegal fuel trade, demonstrating the vast and complex financial networks of these organizations.
Ed Calderon critiques Mexico's current ruling party, Morena, and its 'hugs not bullets' policy against cartels. He explains how this approach, intended to stop violence by ceasing to fight them, has instead led to the most violent presidency in history, surpassing even the previous military-led drug war strategies, allowing cartels to grow unchecked.
Ed Calderon offers a less-known perspective on the Spanish conquest, explaining that the Spanish themselves were of mixed heritage (conquered by Moors) and that 'brown people' were on the conquistador boats, complicating the traditional 'white vs. native' narrative.
Ed Calderon delves into the complex cultural psychology of Mexico, explaining how the 'mestisake' (mixed-race) heritage led to a culture that often hates parts of itself, as evidenced by politicians demanding apologies from Spain despite their own mixed ancestry.
Ed Calderon describes the dangerous phenomenon of 'cartel YouTubers' who gained popularity by openly discussing cartel life in Mexico. He recounts a chilling incident where one cartel faction used pamphlets to expose influencers working with a rival group, leading to one YouTuber being tracked by a hacker and killed in his home, illustrating the brutal intersection of social media and cartel violence.
Joe Rogan challenges the romanticized view of Native Americans as universally peaceful, arguing that many tribes, like the Comanches, were highly militaristic and engaged in brutal warfare and torture against neighboring groups, often as their 'favorite thing to do.'
Ed Calderon describes the devastating real-world impact of Operation Fast and Furious, a US government program that allowed firearms to be straw purchased and trafficked into Mexico. He recounts how his friends were killed by these very guns and questions the official narrative, suggesting the operation may have been designed to destabilize the region or arm specific cartel factions.
Joe Rogan and Ed Calderon discuss the long-standing allegations of CIA involvement in drug trafficking, referencing Freeway Ricky Ross's claim of getting cocaine from the CIA to fund the Contras, and the shocking C-SPAN testimony of former LA narcotics officer Michael Ruppert, who publicly stated he witnessed the CIA selling drugs in Los Angeles and was recruited to protect their operations.
Ed Calderon reveals the recent, highly significant arrest of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, the true long-time leader of the Sinaloa cartel, who was never caught in 50 years until he flew into a private Texas airfield. His capture, shrouded in mysterious circumstances, immediately ignited widespread violence across Mexico.
Ed Calderon discusses the controversial theory that mass immigration is being weaponized for political gain, specifically to increase congressional seats by counting undocumented immigrants in the census and then pushing for their voting rights, effectively creating new loyal voter bases.
Ed Calderon shares his intensely personal and dangerous journey to alcohol sobriety, highlighting how alcohol is one of the few drugs that can kill you if quit too quickly. He recounts locking himself away on a ranch, enduring severe withdrawal symptoms like shakes, sweats, and chest pains, and the drastic measure a friend took to ensure his abstinence.
Joe Rogan details the horrific torture methods used by the Comanche tribe, including cutting off limbs while victims were alive and throwing them on bonfires, as described in 'Empire of the Summer Moon.' Ed Calderon adds that they would leave one survivor to spread terror, highlighting ancient psychological warfare.
Ed Calderon draws a chilling connection between the ancient brutality of Mexican history and the horrific violence of modern cartels, suggesting a 'genetic memory' for such acts, citing recent incidents like six severed heads found in a 'safe' region of Mexico, which often go unreported in mainstream media.
Ed Calderon shares a chilling anecdote from his past experience, where he learned that leaving a body hanging from a bridge was considered an 'act of kindness' by cartels because the family could at least bury it, unlike beheadings where no body remains. This illustrates the horrifying normalization of extreme violence in Mexico.
Ed Calderon recounts the chilling story of Adolfo Constanzo, 'the Narco Satanist,' whose 1990s rituals and abduction of an American for a human brain provided the first public glimpse for many Americans into the extreme brutality, occultism, and torture prevalent in Mexican cartel culture.
Ed Calderon argues against political polarization, stating that people are 'being played' by the 'MAGA versus Democrats' narrative. He asserts that citizens are exploited regardless of who is in office, as the entire system is a 'scam' where giant corporations benefit and laugh at the public.
Ed Calderon exposes the alarming politicalization of Mexican cartels, revealing that they now openly run their own candidates for office, leading to situations where city mayors and police chiefs are cartel members. He explains that political killings in Mexico are often the result of rival cartels eliminating opposing candidates.
This clip features the intense and shocking C-SPAN testimony of Michael Ruppert, a former Los Angeles narcotics detective, who directly accuses the CIA of dealing drugs across the country. He recounts being personally exposed to CIA operations and recruited to protect their drug activities, culminating in a powerful challenge to the CIA Director about hiding criminal activity under classification.