

Ioan Grillo
British journalist and writer based in Mexico City, specializing in the war on drugs and its impact on Latin America.
Top 5 podcasts with Ioan Grillo
Ranked by the Snipd community

Jan 30, 2023 • 3h 1min
#46 Ioan Grillo - Cartel Wars & The Fentanyl Crisis
Ioan Grillo, an award-winning investigative journalist, delves into the violent landscape of Mexican cartels, particularly the Sinaloa cartel, following the chaotic recapture of Ovidio Guzmán. He highlights how cartels strategically recruit youth, manipulate media, and influence U.S. politics through corruption. The devastating rise of fentanyl underscores a shift in drug trafficking dynamics, raising alarming questions about public safety and the classification of cartels as terrorist organizations. Grillo's insights reveal the complex interplay between violence, community impacts, and law enforcement responses.

Nov 14, 2025 • 31min
Venezuela, ¿el nuevo epicentro del narcotráfico en el Caribe?
Ioan Grillo, un periodista británico experto en narcotráfico en América Latina, explora el complejo papel de Venezuela en el tráfico de drogas. Habla sobre la movilidad militar en la región y revela la existencia del 'cartel de los soles', que involucra a militares venezolanos. Grillo también diferencia entre cocaína y fentanilo en la crisis estadounidense y critica las estrategias militares frente al narcotráfico, sugiriendo que medidas más humanas y políticas públicas son necesarias para abordar el problema.

Feb 27, 2026 • 52min
Broken Plazas: Understanding the Cartel Racket of Mexican Mining
Ioan Grillo, journalist and author who has covered cartels and organized crime across Mexico and Latin America. He traces the Sinaloa conflict and cartel fragmentation. He explains how cartels diversify into extortion, theft, and land grabs. He outlines risks to rural mining operations, local protection dynamics, and why outside security help is limited.

Feb 6, 2025 • 43min
Ioan Grillo: How MAGA’s good intentions could worsen cartel violence
Ioan Grillo, a seasoned journalist based in Mexico, explores the unintended consequences of U.S. immigration policies on cartel violence. He delves into the intricate links between narco-corruption and U.S.-Mexico relations during Trump's tenure. Grillo discusses how cartels adapt to shifting dynamics at the border, the risks of U.S. military intervention, and the ripple effects of aggressive crackdowns in Latin America. His insights highlight the complexities of sovereignty and security amid escalating cartel activity.
Mar 1, 2024 • 43min
Uncovering the Cartel Underworld | Ioan Grillo
Journalist Ioan Grillo discusses the rise of paramilitary cartels in Mexico, their diverse criminal operations including oil theft, and the intertwined power dynamics with the government. They also tackle the challenges of restricting weapons trafficking and the risks involved in developing sources within the cartels.


