 |
Judy Ley Allen México CenteredAuthor: Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy
Tony Payan interviews academics, former government officials, and other experts on issues central to U.S.-Mexico relations, including trade, immigration, and public safety. New episodes are released monthly.The podcast is hosted by the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice Universitys Baker Institute in Houston, Texas. through original research, relevant solutions to binational policy issues, and the advancement of mutual understanding, we seek to have a meaningful impact on the U.S.-Mexico relationship.Learn about our work at bakerinstitute.org/usmx. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
From 'Baker Briefing': Mexico’s Cartels, Violence, and the Rule of Law After the Fall of El Mencho
Episode 95
Wednesday, 4 March, 2026
The February 22, 2026 death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, head of Mexico’s powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has reignited debate about security, governance, and the strength of Mexico’s organized crime institutions. In the days following the operation, cartel-linked violence spread across multiple states — underscoring both the reach of organized crime and the risks of confronting it. Tony Payan, director of the Baker Institute’s Claudio X. González Center for the United States and Mexico, joins Ambassador David Satterfield to examine what Oseguera’s death could mean for Mexico’s fight against organized crime and the evolving role of the United States in that effort. They discuss the extent of U.S. involvement and coordination in the operation, the political and security pressures facing President Claudia Sheinbaum as she intensifies the government’s campaign against cartels, and what this moment may signal for the future of U.S.–Mexico security cooperation. At the center of the conversation is a critical question: Will this operation strengthen the rule of law in Mexico — or simply trigger another cycle of violence? This conversation was recorded on February 26, 2026 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform. Mentioned in this episode: Tony Payan, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/tony-payan
