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Borderland: Dispatches with Katarina Szulc
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Cartel violence. Kidnappings. Disappearances. The headlines don’t tell the full story.
Borderland: Dispatches, an IRONCLAD Original, delivers raw, on-the-ground updates from Mexico’s cartel war. Hosted by investigative journalist Katarina Szulc, the series offers real-time snapshots of a conflict reshaping the future of both Mexico and the U.S.
With rare access to traffickers, law enforcement, and civilians caught in the crossfire, these fast-moving episodes expose the brutal truth behind the drug war.
New dispatches drop every Thursday.
52 Episodes
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On today’s episode, Katarina breaks down the killing of several kidnapped workers connected to Canadian mining company Vizsla Silver Corp. in Sinaloa.
Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original
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While on route to her next assignment, Katarina takes a break from the frontlines to answer the questions you’ve been asking. From the latest on Ryan Wedding’s arrest to the realities of reporting on Mexican cartels, international crime, and organized crime networks, Katarina gives unfiltered insights from her years of on-the-ground journalism. She also opens up about the risks, challenges, and surprising moments behind the stories she covers, and what drives her to keep going back into the heart of the narco world.
Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/DISPATCHES and use code DISPATCHES for an extra 15% off sitewide.
Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/
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While on route to her next assignment, Katarina takes a break from the frontlines to answer the questions you’ve been asking. From the latest on Ryan Wedding’s arrest to the realities of reporting on Mexican cartels, international crime, and organized crime networks, Katarina gives unfiltered insights from her years of on-the-ground journalism. She also opens up about the risks, challenges, and surprising moments behind the stories she covers, and what drives her to keep going back into the heart of the narco world.
Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original
Chapters:
(00:00)- Unpacking Ryan Wedding's Surrender and Apprehension Details
(05:35)- Navigating Journalism's Dangers and Expanding Global Coverage
(11:29) - Finding Satisfaction, Speaking Spanish, and Exposing Political Corruption
(18:14)- The Scariest Moment: Protecting Sources from Law Enforcement
(21:18)- Pursuing Dream Interviews While Prioritizing Personal Safety
(23:43)- Exposing Ryan Wedding's Fake AI-Generated Instagram Account
(26:58)- Admiration of Anthony Bourdain
(29:02)- Fentanyl Crisis, Middle East Reporting
Sponsors:
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Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/DISPATCHES and use code DISPATCHES for an extra 15% off sitewide.
Norwood Sawmills:
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https://norwoodsawmills.com/
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On today’s episode of Borderland Dispatches, Katarina breaks down the surrender of Ryan Wedding, his transfer to U.S. custody, and the key players involved, including Kash Patel, Omar Harfuch, and Mexican authorities. Guests Stefano Ritondale from @All_Source_News
and Jeff Nadu (@JeffNadu) provide context on Wedding’s role in the drug trade, the political and media dynamics surrounding his capture, and what his surrender means for organized crime enforcement.
Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
GHOSTBED:
Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/DISPATCHES and use code DISPATCHES for an extra 15% off sitewide.
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1Producer’s note: This episode features on-the-ground reporting and is best experienced on video via Spotify or YouTube (@thisisironclad)
On today’s episode, Katarina reports from the Colombia–Venezuela border, investigating organized crime, drug routes, and fuel smuggling along one of the world’s most dangerous borders.Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD OriginalSponsors:GHOSTBED:Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/DISPATCHES and use code DISPATCHES for an extra 15% off sitewide.Norwood Sawmills:Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber athttps://norwoodsawmills.com/
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On today’s episode, Katarina reports from the Colombia–Venezuela border in the days following Nicolás Maduro’s capture. Joined by journalist Ioan Grillo, she documents conditions on the ground, the presence of international press, and the restrictions facing journalists attempting to cross.
Watch the full report on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FavpHWbbn8
Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/DISPATCHES and use code DISPATCHES for an extra 15% off sitewide.
Norwood Sawmills:Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's episode, Katarina speaks with Ringmast4r, an American-Venezuelan ethical hacker, about the country’s digital infrastructure and citizen tracking systems, including technology developed with Chinese assistance. They discuss life in Venezuela following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, how the government continues to monitor and control citizens, and the heightened paranoia and challenges faced by the population.
Borderland Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original
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This weekend, Borderland: Dispatches host Katarina Szulc was able to connect with acclaimed cartel investigative reporter Ioan Grillo, from the border of Columbia and Venezuela, who gave an inside look at the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In this special episode of Borderland: Dispatches, Ioan Grillo and Katarina talk about what the situation is like on the ground, what comes next, and what the implications are for cartels, organized crime, and the drug war.
Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original.
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/thisisironclad/
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Katarina looks back at some of the biggest cartel stories of the year and gives updates about the current war on drugs.
Borderland: Dispatches with Katarina Szulc is an IRONCLAD Original
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What does a spike in drug seizures on the southern border tell us about the state of the crackdown on cartels.
Katarina Szulc breaks down the data.
SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-dispatches-with-katarina-szulc/id1814920364
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Watch Katarina's Discoveries at the San Diego border at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVQTfAdIs00
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On today’s episode, Katarina discusses how criminal networks are exploiting the global live-animal export industry as a new cover for drug trafficking.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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On today’s episode, Katarina breaks down the case of Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder now wanted by U.S. authorities. She outlines the federal indictment alleging his role in the killing of a cooperating witness in Medellín, his reported ties to the Sinaloa cartel, the drug trafficking network described by investigators, and why the FBI has placed him on its 10 Most Wanted list with a $15 million reward.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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Producer's Note: While this episode is available on all podcast feeds, it is best experienced as a video either on Spotify or at https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad
On today's episode, Katarina goes inside a clandestine rehab center in Tijuana, where residents — including addicts, deportees, and mental health patients — are held against their will. A rare look at a facility few outsiders ever see.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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Sponsors:
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AmmoSquared
Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission.
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Coming soon on Borderland: Dispatches, Katarina goes inside a clandestine rehab center in Tijuana, where residents — including addicts, deportees, and mental health patients — are held against their will. A rare look at a facility few outsiders ever see.
Full episode drops November 20th.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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On today’s episode, DEA legend Steve Murphy — the man who hunted Pablo Escobar — sits down with Katarina to break down the U.S. Navy’s deadly strikes on cartel drug boats.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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On today’s episode, Katarina discusses the deadly U.S. boat strike in the Pacific Ocean that killed 14 suspected cartel smugglers. The operation marks a sharp escalation in America’s maritime campaign against drug trafficking — one that started with strikes near Venezuela and is now moving closer to Mexico’s coast.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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On today’s episode, Katarina breaks down a Reuters report on how Mexican cartels used a “dark fleet” of tankers to traffic billions in stolen fuel — uncovering corruption from Mexico’s ports all the way to U.S. companies.
To access the full report, visit: https://www.reuters.com/investigations/how-dark-fleet-tankers-helped-mexican-cartel-build-fuel-smuggling-empire-2025-10-22/
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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On today’s episode, Katarina breaks down recent U.S. operations in Venezuela, including CIA-authorized strikes on narcotraffickers and paramilitary networks aligned with Nicolás Maduro, which have resulted in 27 reported deaths. She examines the lack of public confirmation about those targeted and how these actions differ from past counter-narcotics operations. Katarina also reviews a DHS warning about Mexican criminal groups offering bounties on federal agents, tracing the intelligence behind the advisory and exploring how the timing of these events may reflect broader U.S. strategy in Latin America and domestic security.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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This episode is presented by Ground News. Subscribe now and get 40% off the VANTAGE plan by going to https://www.groundnews.com/ironclad or by using the QR code.
On today’s episode, Katarina breaks down the recent “narco-banners” in Mexico that allegedly threaten Americans visiting or living south of the border. Are these real cartel warnings—or something else entirely? Katarina explains why this message doesn’t add up, arguing that the cartels wouldn’t target their biggest customers. Instead, she exposes how these banners may be part of a larger psychological operation aimed at manipulating public perception and escalating fear on both sides of the border.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD ORIGINAL.
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