Mexico’s cartels aren’t just crime syndicates—they’re power brokers shaping politics, security, and the U.S.–Mexico border. In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Stefano Ritondale to unpack the rise of the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and Gulf Cartel—and what their influence means for North America.

#mexicancartels #geopolitics #thefocuspodcast

Show Notes

Connect with Stefano:

X: @All_Source_News 

Artorias: https://www.artorias.com/leadership 

Podcasts & Interviews:

Stefano featured on Cleared Hot podcast (Episode 373) where he discussed cartel violence, organised crime, and Latin American security as an intelligence expert.

He also appeared on The Distinguished Savage Podcast (Episode 319), exploring Mexican cartel dynamics.

Print/Online Interviews & Commentary

In an interview with Rolling Stone published in February 2025, Ritondale offered expert commentary on how cartel leaders perceive government protection and the implications of being labeled terrorists.

Recent Media Mentions

Most recently, in a Defense Feeds article (July 2025), he provided insights into how Mexican cartels are training in Ukraine to utilise FPV drones, indicating the rising sophistication of cartel tactics.

Mexico&rsquo;s cartels aren&rsquo;t just crime syndicates&mdash;they&rsquo;re power brokers shaping politics, security, and the U.S.&ndash;Mexico border. In this episode of&nbsp;The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Stefano Ritondale to unpack the rise of the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and Gulf Cartel&mdash;and what their influence means for North America.
#mexicancartels #geopolitics #thefocuspodcast
Show Notes
Connect with Stefano:
X: @All_Source_News&nbsp;
Artorias:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.artorias.com/leadership">https://www.artorias.com/leadership</a>&nbsp;
Podcasts &amp; Interviews:
Stefano featured on&nbsp;Cleared Hot&nbsp;podcast (Episode 373) where he discussed cartel violence, organised&nbsp;crime, and Latin American security as an intelligence expert.
He also appeared on&nbsp;The Distinguished Savage Podcast&nbsp;(Episode 319), exploring Mexican cartel dynamics.
Print/Online Interviews &amp; Commentary
In an interview with&nbsp;Rolling Stone&nbsp;published in February 2025, Ritondale offered expert commentary on how cartel leaders perceive government protection and the implications of being labeled terrorists.
Recent Media Mentions
Most recently, in a&nbsp;Defense Feeds&nbsp;article (July 2025), he provided insights into how Mexican cartels are training in Ukraine to utilise FPV drones, indicating the rising sophistication of cartel tactics.

The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical  think tank.

Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.

Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

The Focus&nbsp;is the flagship current affairs podcast of&nbsp;SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical &nbsp;think tank.
Hosted by&nbsp;Dr. John Bruni&mdash;a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media&mdash;The Focus&nbsp;brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the&nbsp;Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for&nbsp;Jane&rsquo;s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.
Produced by&nbsp;Neil Smart,&nbsp;The Focus&nbsp;cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

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