Ed Calderon: A security specialist from Tijuana who spent years in counter-narcotics and organized-crime investigation on Mexico's northern border. He now teaches counter-custody, personal security, and tradecraft, and writes on his Patreon (EDC's Manifesto).
What this episode covers
Ed Calderon draws on his experience as a counter-narcotics operator in the world's most dangerous city to explain how Mexican drug cartels gain power, corrupt institutions, and operate as shadow governments. He covers the players in the drug war (cartels, military, politicians, the US, and China), the brutal economics of kidnapping and fentanyl, and the tradecraft of violence, ambush, and escape. The conversation turns deeply personal as he recounts losing his brother and mother, his struggle with alcoholism and PTSD, and his immigration to the US. It closes on narco-spirituality (Santa Muerte, folk saints), immigration, and advice for young people centered on service and humility.
Recommended on this episode
The Book of Five Rings
Miyamoto Musashi
“I got that book that book of five rings before I went into training like I took that with me through training”— Ed Calderon
Also referenced (named, not recommended)
Shoninki
Natori Masazumi
“that's a quote from the book called a show ninky which is like a an actual legit ninja manual from like the 1500s”— Ed Calderon
Heat
Michael Mann
“the proliferation of zip ties as a restraint in criminal abductions came up after the movie Heat came out”— Ed Calderon
Scarface
Brian De Palma
“let me leave you with some words from albino's character and Scarface Tony Montana you don't have the guts to be what you want to be”— Lex Fridman
John Wick
Chad Stahelski
“there's a tendency to view what we see in John Wick or view what we see in in uh this martial arts Community”— Ed Calderon
Call of Duty
Activision
“you see the anime when you play Call of Duty you don't really think you think of them as NPCs the bad guys”— Lex Fridman
Big reveals from this episode
- Describes his incorruptible mentor Lieutenant Colonel who survived multiple assassination attempts, the last costing him the use of his legs.
- Says Garcia Luna, the man who ran Mexico's drug-war operations, turned out to be on the take at the highest level.
- Reveals Mexico industrialized body disposal, citing Tijuana's 'stew maker' who dissolved bodies in caustic acid.
- Recounts encountering a childhood friend turned cartel member at a gas station minutes before the friend was killed; he stayed with the body all night.
- His mother's sudden death and a corrupt reassignment order pushed him to resign and flee to the US.
- His young daughter unprompted said 'I don't drink anymore dad,' the moment he quit alcohol for good.
- Describes Adolfo Constanzo, a cartel sorcerer who murdered an American student for ritual body parts.
- Frames fentanyl, China's money laundering, and Mexico's militarization as a coming regional crisis akin to Ukraine.
Worth remembering
- Marijuana now flows from California INTO Mexico because California produces better weed, reversing the traditional route.
- Roughly 90% of new houses in Tijuana are being bought by Americans, earning it the nickname 'San Diego South.'
- Over 90% of all murders in Mexico are never solved.
- The Mexican Navy and Army reportedly don't speak to or work with each other.
- The ATF's Fast and Furious operation let firearms 'walk' into Mexico; one of Ed's friends was killed with one of those guns.
- All restraints are temporary; he teaches that even a cheap butter knife will go through a torso while a $400 tactical knife's tip may snap.
- Santa Muerte is one of the fastest-growing spiritual practices in both Mexico and the US, found even in Connecticut.
- During COVID there were no produce shortages, which Ed cites as proof that undocumented workers are the backbone of US agriculture.
- Hitler avoided many assassination attempts simply by varying his schedule and arriving slightly off-time.