The Wire - November 17, 2025

//The Wire//2300Z November 17, 2025//
//ROUTINE//
//BLUF: ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS TAKE PLACE IN MEXICO CITY OVER THE WEEKEND AS PRESSURE MOUNTS ON SHEINBAUM. ICE OPERATIONS PIVOT TO CHARLOTTE NC AS SIGNIFICANT RESISTANCE IS EXPECTED.//

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-International Events-

Mexico: Weekend protests turned to riots on Saturday, as various groups expressed their concerns with government.

Analyst Comment: Most of the demonstrations in Mexico City remained fairly low-intensity (by local standards), however a few riots did break out throughout the day. These demonstrations are a continuation of the global trend of "Gen Z" protests, with many of the participants demonstrating for a wide array of causes, many of which are contradictory political ideologies. Nevertheless, all of the negative sentiment was focused on Sheinbaum, as dissent grows with her handling of Cartel violence throughout the nation.

Caribbean: The situation continues as before, with a few strikes being conducted on narco vessels over the past few days by the US Navy. In Venezuela tensions remain the same, with Maduro making more public appearances than normal, mostly commenting on the rising tensions with the United States. Over the weekend Maduro serenaded an audience with an impromptu performance of *Imagine* by John Lennon during remarks urging a peaceful outcome to the conflict.

Analyst Comment: If Maduro is attempting to soothe his population in order to reassure them that an all-out war is not about to break out, there are probably less disturbing ways to go about it. Either way, this embarrassing display probably does convey the seriousness of the situation, considering that Maduro knows the US is gunning for regime change.

-HomeFront-

Washington - Over the weekend the US Coast Guard successfully conducted a rescue of stranded boaters who were reported overdue after failing to return from their trip. A man and his son became stranded after their boat capsized in rough weather in the Pacific Ocean near the mouth of the Columbia River. The boaters were rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter out of Air Station Astoria on the Oregon side of the river, and transported to a hospital where both were treated for hypothermia.

Analyst Comment: Considering the cold water temperatures this time of year, it is undoubtedly a miracle both survived. This incident also highlights the importance of establishing (and sticking to) an Overdue Boater plan when carrying out outdoor activities, especially as we move into the winter months where Search and Rescue operations present many more challenges nationwide.

North Carolina: Counter-ICE operations have intensified as deportation operations move to Charlotte as part of Operation CHARLOTTE'S WEB. So far over a hundred illegals with extensive criminal records have been arrested throughout the city since the operation began a few days ago.

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Analyst Comments: In Charlotte, a very interesting development was observed over the weekend as ICE moved into the area. The Compare Foods grocery store announced free home delivery of grocery items during the period of time that the ICE operation is expected to take place. This food store primarily serves the Latino community and most of their social media posts are in Spanish. While they don't explicitly state it in their social media posts, the implication is clear...this company intends to cash in on the illegals who are ordering goods from home, because they're wanted by ICE.

As it stands, this is probably a PR stunt, but efforts like this put everyone in a tough spot. If the feds arrest the store management for aiding and abetting, the city will burn for nothing and the same local Charlotte judges who regularly let murders go free will absolutely let a grocery store manager go free as well. On the other hand, if the feds do nothing, t