Behind the scenes of a narco tank production line

Shown here is some footage from inside a clandestine vehicle up-armouring facility linked to the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG).

Slides 1-6 show the inside and outside of an up-armoured monstruo. Notable features include a turret up top, usually fitted with a heavier weapon such as Browning M1919 or M2 machine guns, or a Barrett anti-materiel rifle. There are shooting ports around the vehicle, positioned below the bulletproof glass, which can be opened/closed as necessary. There is also a ladder on one side, for the turret gunner and his weapon.

There is a bench inside the rear compartment, as shown by slide 5. Slide 6 shows the addition of two rear facing seats and a spare tire. Slide 7 shows the vehicle being moved inside the facility. The obnoxious text and emojis refer to the Gente del Jardinero (gardener 💐) and Don Mole in the state of Guerrero.

Slide 8 shows the same vehicle after a paint job, giving it a camo pattern finish.

A Ford F250 FX4 which has had an armoured rear compartment and a turret added at the same facility. It also has a similar ladder to the previous monstruo. It can be seen again after a camo paint job.

Recent footage shows H12 sicarios affiliated with Los Cabrera and the CDS Mayito Flaco faction distributing ammunition and operating in/around San Ignacio, Sinaloa, where fighting continues against sicarios affiliated with the CDS Chapitos faction, likely sicarios of René 00.

Christmas post 🎄🎅 Mexico 🇲🇽

Firstly, Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating, hope it is well spent with family, friends and good food.

Slide 1 was circulated by members of the GDR5 based in Michoacán, urging local citizens to be grateful for their presence, because they too have families they have to be away from while patrolling.

Slide 2 is also from a GDR5 sicario, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas as he is guarding the territory, armed with a Beretta ARX160.

Slide 3 was circulated by the Northeast Cartel (CDN), warning citizens against firing into the air under the threat of punishment. Similar notices are issued every Christmas and New Year, as every year people are injured from falling stray bullets.

Christmas post 🎄🎅 Brazil 🇧🇷

Onto Brazil, the first pic shows two members of the Third Pure Command (TCP) on guard duty, still wishing everybody a Merry Christmas.

Pic 2 is from a Red Command (CV) member who is not feeling very festive, after his battle buddy “MM” was killed by the 39th Military Police Battalion a couple days ago.

The last slide shows another TCP member based in the Israel complex with some Lança perfume. Also shown is a Lança decorated Christmas tree. Lança is an inhalant made from chloroform and ether, which is very popular in the favelas as a party drug. People often add lights to the spray bottles as shown here.

The Chiapas and Guatemala Cartel (CCyG)

Believed to be an offshoot of the CJNG, CCyG operates on both sides of the Mexican-Guatemalan border, fighting with Sinaloa cartel-aligned factions for influence and drug/human trafficking routes.

CCyG has been active for some time but only recently gained notoriety, as the violence in Chiapas escalated between them and the Mayo Zambada faction of the Sinaloa cartel, displacing thousands of people.

In June, an operation by the Immediate Reaction Force Pakal (FRIP, aka Pakales) in Chiapas resulted in a heavy firefight with members of the CCyG, with the Pakales crossing the Guatemalan border as the fighting continued.

Four people were killed during the two hour long firefight, including one of the CCyG founders, Baldemar Calderón Carrillo, known as Tío Balde. The other three were his bodyguards, all being former Guatemalan military. His son was killed in a separate operation soon after.

CCyG recruits former Guatemalan servicemen, with particular emphasis on retired members of the special forces, Kaibiles. Calderón Carrillo himself was reportedly in charge of recruiting former Kaibiles.