Katarina Szulc

It's about being a part of something, feeling powerful, feeling like you've been validated and accepted by the very people who are responsible for thousands of deaths and the war on drugs.

They're on the FBI's most wanted posters, and I work for that guy.

It makes sense to them.

We don't have to understand it.

I don't think they do.

And based on what I've been told, whether that's what I was told at the border, whether I go and ask in Sinaloa or Jalisco or Michoacan or Guerrero, the consensus remains the same.

And the people in charge are treated like gods.

They are absolutely praised gods.

as if they are the one and only.

I mean, that's why we see all the songs about El Mencho, El Chapo, El Mayo.

And you can literally go to Sinaloa and buy narco merch.

You know, you got the hat with whoever's face on it.

You can even buy like religious regalia that is paying homage to narco leaders.

And so...

The people who work for them praise them.

People who don't work for them praise them and want to work for them.

So if you're telling this 17-year-old kid who has always wanted to be in this lifestyle, you're going to die for me and American forces are coming in.

He'll stand up.

He'll probably shit his pants, but he'll do it.

He'll put on face.