The CoinSpeech team has gathered the most important insights from Ben Armstrong’s latest video. Below, you can find a summary of the key points along with embedded content to watch the full video. Ben Armstrong explores the intricate web of connections between governments, corporations, and drug cartels. Find Ben Armstrong’s new video at the end of this article.
The Unexpected Friendships in the War on Drugs
The opening gives us a gripping thought: “The governments in the cartel seem like they’re enemies… but I’ve been seeing more and more evidence that they’re more connected and more friendly than we’ve been led to believe.” Armstrong delves into the murky alliances that contradict the public narrative of an ongoing war on drugs.
From the Streets to the Halls of Power
The dynamics between the CIA and drug traffickers come to light with the case of Ricky Ross. Armstrong explains, “As he hustled his way up the ladder, he started doing business with Danilo Blandon… allied with the US government at the time.” Blandon’s connection to the CIA was crucial for funding the contras in Nicaragua, allowing a flood of cocaine into the U.S.
The Journalism That Shook the Nation
Gary Webb’s investigative work is a cornerstone of this revelation. Armstrong recounts, “He published a series of Articles called Dark Alliance in August of 1996,” which exposed how drug traffickers were operating with the tacit approval of the CIA. Despite the backlash and scrutiny Webb faced, his work provided a significant insight into the dark underbelly of this alliance.
The Unbelievable but True Operations
Armstrong brings up Operation Fast and Furious, sarcastically questioning, “Who names these things Vin Diesel?” This ill-fated operation aimed to track gun sales across borders but instead armed violent Mexican cartels, further entangling U.S. agencies with drug traffickers.
The Financial Facade
Banks play an indispensable role in this network. Armstrong notes that, “they knowingly launder money for cartels,” pointing out examples including Wells Fargo’s laundering of $378 million and HSBC’s entanglement in laundering $881 million. Such organizations often face no severe repercussions, merely paying fines that hardly impact their operations.
The Bipartisan Game of Hypocrisy
The story isn’t bound by party lines. Armstrong highlights that “us politicians on both sides of the aisle have had some strange ties to the drug trade over the years,” featuring figures like Bill Clinton and Mitch McConnell, both of whom have been implicated in significant drug-related controversies.
Beyond the News
Beyond what is reported, Armstrong speculates on deeper alliances and darker secrets that might never see the light of day. He warns us, “it’s like something from a movie… but this is just what we can say for sure from reading the news that has came out since it happened.”
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