Cross the Border, Join a Gang | Mike Drop CLIPS - Episode 62: Angel Cortes

About this video

Angel Cortes recounts his experience crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally as a child with his brother, traveling at night and being smuggled by coyotes. He describes joining a gang as a teenager, selling drugs (primarily marijuana) to support his younger siblings, and escalating to armed robberies of drug dealers. Cortes discusses his views on border security, his path from poverty to military service, and his current carry preferences including his Glock 19.

Key takeaways

• Cortes describes his illegal border crossing as a child from Puebla, Mexico, traveling only at night and playing a ‘game’ with smugglers to stay quiet
• Cortes joined a gang and began selling drugs at a young age, stating he was motivated primarily by wanting to feed his brother and sister rather than material possessions
• Cortes escalated to robbing drug dealers and other criminal activity, which led to violent confrontations with adult rivals including stabbings and shootouts
• Cortes argues that while criminals do cross the border, many good people also come seeking opportunity in America, citing his own life as an example of becoming ‘something out of nothing’

Episode details: published August 19, 2020 · 6K views · 11:09 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Stories told by Mike Ritland’s podcast guests are the guests’ own accounts, attributed to them — not independently verified. Commentary is Ritland’s, presented as his analysis.

← Previous: Gang Signs & Ranger Tabs with Angel Cortes | Mike Drop: Episode 62 · Next: Irish Born, American Made with Kevin Owens | Mike Drop: Episode 63 →

All Mike Ritland videos · Mike Ritland profile · Mike Drop (official site)