Avery Schmitz
@averyschmitz.bsky.social
Open-source reporting @cnn.com
Views my own | [email protected]
Views my own | [email protected]
Pinned
Avery Schmitz
@averyschmitz.bsky.social
· Sep 30
Inside the cartel networks recruiting young Americans on social media | CNN
A young mother tells CNN how she was lured into recruiting migrant smugglers in the US after seeing a promise of easy money in her feed.
www.cnn.com
NEW: We spent 6 months digging into the cartel networks recruiting Americans as smugglers
Uncovering hundreds of recruitment posts and speaking with cartel recruiters + law enforcement about their tactics
With Norma Galeana, David Culver, and Evelio Contreras:
Uncovering hundreds of recruitment posts and speaking with cartel recruiters + law enforcement about their tactics
With Norma Galeana, David Culver, and Evelio Contreras:
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
Great video by @averyschmitz.bsky.social (with some narration help by me 🤭) taking a look at what the US military has built up in the Caribbean.
October 23, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Great video by @averyschmitz.bsky.social (with some narration help by me 🤭) taking a look at what the US military has built up in the Caribbean.
NEW: We tracked over 200 US military flights conducted in the Caribbean since mid-August by 83 separate aircraft, including intelligence-gathering planes and tankers used to refuel jets in midair
With @natashabertrand.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
With @natashabertrand.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
Here’s what the US military has positioned in the Caribbean as Trump pressures Venezuela | CNN
The US military has been steadily massing a large number of troops, naval and air assets in the Caribbean over the last two months, conducting training missions off the coast of Venezuela, reopening a...
www.cnn.com
October 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
NEW: We tracked over 200 US military flights conducted in the Caribbean since mid-August by 83 separate aircraft, including intelligence-gathering planes and tankers used to refuel jets in midair
With @natashabertrand.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
With @natashabertrand.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
The US military has been steadily massing a large number of troops, naval and air assets in the Caribbean over the last two months. Here’s what’s been positioned as Trump pressures Venezuela (and, increasingly, Colombia): www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
Here’s what the US military has positioned in the Caribbean as Trump pressures Venezuela | CNN
The US military has been steadily massing a large number of troops, naval and air assets in the Caribbean over the last two months, conducting training missions off the coast of Venezuela, reopening a...
www.cnn.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The US military has been steadily massing a large number of troops, naval and air assets in the Caribbean over the last two months. Here’s what’s been positioned as Trump pressures Venezuela (and, increasingly, Colombia): www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/w...
NEW: We spent 6 months digging into the cartel networks recruiting Americans as smugglers
Uncovering hundreds of recruitment posts and speaking with cartel recruiters + law enforcement about their tactics
With Norma Galeana, David Culver, and Evelio Contreras:
Uncovering hundreds of recruitment posts and speaking with cartel recruiters + law enforcement about their tactics
With Norma Galeana, David Culver, and Evelio Contreras:
Inside the cartel networks recruiting young Americans on social media | CNN
A young mother tells CNN how she was lured into recruiting migrant smugglers in the US after seeing a promise of easy money in her feed.
www.cnn.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:54 PM
NEW: We spent 6 months digging into the cartel networks recruiting Americans as smugglers
Uncovering hundreds of recruitment posts and speaking with cartel recruiters + law enforcement about their tactics
With Norma Galeana, David Culver, and Evelio Contreras:
Uncovering hundreds of recruitment posts and speaking with cartel recruiters + law enforcement about their tactics
With Norma Galeana, David Culver, and Evelio Contreras:
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
NEW: Chihuahua, Mexico's most sprawling state, is building a surveillance system.
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Just Beyond the Texas Border, Chihuahua Is Launching a Burgeoning State Surveillance System
The 20-story Torre Centinela looming over Juárez is part of a much larger AI-powered network that won’t stop at the U.S.-Mexico divide.
www.texasobserver.org
September 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
NEW: Chihuahua, Mexico's most sprawling state, is building a surveillance system.
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
NEW: what’s happening at one Iranian nuclear site following US airstrikes
July 3, 2025 at 3:04 AM
NEW: what’s happening at one Iranian nuclear site following US airstrikes
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
235 people were killed in April when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub came crashing down during a packed concert. We found that for years before the collapse, structural issues and warning signs went unaddressed. w/ @stepozzebon.bsky.social and @averyschmitz.bsky.social for CNN youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A
CNN analysis explores cause of deadly Dominican nightclub roof collapse
YouTube video by CNN
youtu.be
June 17, 2025 at 11:24 PM
235 people were killed in April when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub came crashing down during a packed concert. We found that for years before the collapse, structural issues and warning signs went unaddressed. w/ @stepozzebon.bsky.social and @averyschmitz.bsky.social for CNN youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A
NEW: How structural flaws reduced a Dominican nightclub to rubble
Watch our investigation of the Jet Set club collapse which killed over 230 people in April
From @stepozzebon.bsky.social, @thomasbordeaux.bsky.social, Anyi Lizardo, Maddie Araujo, and me:
youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A?...
Watch our investigation of the Jet Set club collapse which killed over 230 people in April
From @stepozzebon.bsky.social, @thomasbordeaux.bsky.social, Anyi Lizardo, Maddie Araujo, and me:
youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A?...
CNN analysis explores cause of deadly Dominican nightclub roof collapse
YouTube video by CNN
youtu.be
June 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
NEW: How structural flaws reduced a Dominican nightclub to rubble
Watch our investigation of the Jet Set club collapse which killed over 230 people in April
From @stepozzebon.bsky.social, @thomasbordeaux.bsky.social, Anyi Lizardo, Maddie Araujo, and me:
youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A?...
Watch our investigation of the Jet Set club collapse which killed over 230 people in April
From @stepozzebon.bsky.social, @thomasbordeaux.bsky.social, Anyi Lizardo, Maddie Araujo, and me:
youtu.be/H5UpgvxSc1A?...
Amid violence in northwest Syria, some appear to be seeking protection from Russian forces there
New satellite images from Maxar show throngs of people and cars crowding an entrance Khmeimim Air Base earlier today--less than 20km from central Latakia
📸: Maxar Technologies
New satellite images from Maxar show throngs of people and cars crowding an entrance Khmeimim Air Base earlier today--less than 20km from central Latakia
📸: Maxar Technologies
March 10, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Amid violence in northwest Syria, some appear to be seeking protection from Russian forces there
New satellite images from Maxar show throngs of people and cars crowding an entrance Khmeimim Air Base earlier today--less than 20km from central Latakia
📸: Maxar Technologies
New satellite images from Maxar show throngs of people and cars crowding an entrance Khmeimim Air Base earlier today--less than 20km from central Latakia
📸: Maxar Technologies
NEW: Argentina’s military is deploying to surveil hundreds of Chinese fishing boats off its coast. Here’s why:
From me, @isaacyeephoto.bsky.social, @yong.bsky.social and Betiana Fernández Martino
From me, @isaacyeephoto.bsky.social, @yong.bsky.social and Betiana Fernández Martino
Why Argentina’s military is deploying to surveil hundreds of Chinese fishing boats off its coast | CNN
The Argentine military is ramping up efforts to combat these fishing operations in a region experts warn is on the brink of environmental collapse.
www.cnn.com
March 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
NEW: Argentina’s military is deploying to surveil hundreds of Chinese fishing boats off its coast. Here’s why:
From me, @isaacyeephoto.bsky.social, @yong.bsky.social and Betiana Fernández Martino
From me, @isaacyeephoto.bsky.social, @yong.bsky.social and Betiana Fernández Martino
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
We are proud to announce the launch of Evident — a nonprofit news organization producing documentary journalism for the public good — here on Bluesky.
Evident is building a new kind of newsroom powered by a team of journalists that is covering crucial stories for public good.
Evident is building a new kind of newsroom powered by a team of journalists that is covering crucial stories for public good.
March 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
We are proud to announce the launch of Evident — a nonprofit news organization producing documentary journalism for the public good — here on Bluesky.
Evident is building a new kind of newsroom powered by a team of journalists that is covering crucial stories for public good.
Evident is building a new kind of newsroom powered by a team of journalists that is covering crucial stories for public good.
NEW: Paramilitary forces raid Sudan’s largest refugee camp
"Several stray bullets flew over our heads, and a victim fell right in front of me," an eyewitness told us.
From me, Aleena Fayaz, and Kaila Nichols:
"Several stray bullets flew over our heads, and a victim fell right in front of me," an eyewitness told us.
From me, Aleena Fayaz, and Kaila Nichols:
Paramilitary forces raid Sudan’s largest refugee camp | CNN
Fighters from Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have torched parts of Sudan’s largest refugee camp, firing indiscriminately at people, including women and children, according to open-sou...
www.cnn.com
February 15, 2025 at 12:01 AM
NEW: Paramilitary forces raid Sudan’s largest refugee camp
"Several stray bullets flew over our heads, and a victim fell right in front of me," an eyewitness told us.
From me, Aleena Fayaz, and Kaila Nichols:
"Several stray bullets flew over our heads, and a victim fell right in front of me," an eyewitness told us.
From me, Aleena Fayaz, and Kaila Nichols:
NEW: We identified 18 US military flights gathering intelligence on cartels in Mexico since Jan. 28
These missions show how the Trump admin is quickly shifting national security resources to the border
From Katie Bo Lillis, Priscilla Alvarez, @natashabertrand.bsky.social and me
These missions show how the Trump admin is quickly shifting national security resources to the border
From Katie Bo Lillis, Priscilla Alvarez, @natashabertrand.bsky.social and me
US spy planes hunt for intel on Mexican drug cartels as surveillance flights surge near border | CNN Politics
The US military has significantly increased its surveillance of Mexican drug cartels over the past two weeks, with sophisticated spy planes flying at least 18 missions over the southwestern US and in ...
cnn.com
February 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
NEW: We identified 18 US military flights gathering intelligence on cartels in Mexico since Jan. 28
These missions show how the Trump admin is quickly shifting national security resources to the border
From Katie Bo Lillis, Priscilla Alvarez, @natashabertrand.bsky.social and me
These missions show how the Trump admin is quickly shifting national security resources to the border
From Katie Bo Lillis, Priscilla Alvarez, @natashabertrand.bsky.social and me
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
The US military has significantly increased its surveillance of Mexican drug cartels over the past two weeks, with sophisticated spy planes flying at least 18 missions over the southwestern US and in international airspace around the Baja peninsula.
www.cnn.com/2025/02/10/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/02/10/p...
US spy planes hunt for intel on Mexican drug cartels as surveillance flights surge near border | CNN Politics
The US military has significantly increased its surveillance of Mexican drug cartels over the past two weeks, with sophisticated spy planes flying at least 18 missions over the southwestern US and in ...
www.cnn.com
February 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The US military has significantly increased its surveillance of Mexican drug cartels over the past two weeks, with sophisticated spy planes flying at least 18 missions over the southwestern US and in international airspace around the Baja peninsula.
www.cnn.com/2025/02/10/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/02/10/p...
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
NEW: Derek Maltz, Trump's pick to lead the DEA, formerly worked at PenLink, a Nebraska-based tech firm that has sold software that can track phone locations without a warrant to agencies like ICE and Texas DPS.
www.texasobserver.org/dea-derek-ma...
www.texasobserver.org/dea-derek-ma...
New DEA Chief’s Background Includes Surveillance Tech and Border Misinformation
Derek Maltz formerly worked at PenLink, a Nebraska-based tech firm that has sold software that can track phone locations without a warrant to agencies like ICE and Texas DPS.
www.texasobserver.org
February 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
NEW: Derek Maltz, Trump's pick to lead the DEA, formerly worked at PenLink, a Nebraska-based tech firm that has sold software that can track phone locations without a warrant to agencies like ICE and Texas DPS.
www.texasobserver.org/dea-derek-ma...
www.texasobserver.org/dea-derek-ma...
Hey @lemonodor.bsky.social! Can you shoot me a DM?
February 6, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Hey @lemonodor.bsky.social! Can you shoot me a DM?
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
“If the facts as you just stated are true, then apparently some people are above the law.”
From @francescadnunz.bsky.social and @averyschmitz.bsky.social in 2024: Citizen militias are illegal in both Arizona and Texas, but in some cases police appear to be tacitly approving border vigilantism.
From @francescadnunz.bsky.social and @averyschmitz.bsky.social in 2024: Citizen militias are illegal in both Arizona and Texas, but in some cases police appear to be tacitly approving border vigilantism.
Border Vigilantes Are Blurring the Lines of Law Enforcement
Armed groups in Arizona and Texas are collaborating with and courting police and immigration agents—with alarming results.
www.texasobserver.org
January 30, 2025 at 7:46 PM
“If the facts as you just stated are true, then apparently some people are above the law.”
From @francescadnunz.bsky.social and @averyschmitz.bsky.social in 2024: Citizen militias are illegal in both Arizona and Texas, but in some cases police appear to be tacitly approving border vigilantism.
From @francescadnunz.bsky.social and @averyschmitz.bsky.social in 2024: Citizen militias are illegal in both Arizona and Texas, but in some cases police appear to be tacitly approving border vigilantism.
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
"LAFD Capt. Erik Scott has one of the most intense jobs in the nation right now: trying to distribute accurate public information during a historically destructive urban fire in America."
Misinformation is a growing problem for frontline workers... www.wsj.com/us-news/los-...
Misinformation is a growing problem for frontline workers... www.wsj.com/us-news/los-...
Fighting Fires—and the Rumor Mill—as L.A. Burns
‘The worst I’ve ever seen.’ Skyrocketing misinformation is forcing public officials to adopt a new playbook when tragedies hit their communities
www.wsj.com
January 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"LAFD Capt. Erik Scott has one of the most intense jobs in the nation right now: trying to distribute accurate public information during a historically destructive urban fire in America."
Misinformation is a growing problem for frontline workers... www.wsj.com/us-news/los-...
Misinformation is a growing problem for frontline workers... www.wsj.com/us-news/los-...
NEW: Using visual evidence, we pieced together how the Bourbon Street attack unfolded on New Year’s Eve, killing at least 15 people
From Caroll Alvarado, Elizabeth Wolfe, and me
From Caroll Alvarado, Elizabeth Wolfe, and me
A visual timeline of the New Year’s attack that left at least 14 dead in New Orleans | CNN
New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street devolved into a grisly crime scene just hours into the new year as a driver plowed a pickup truck through crowds of holiday revelers, killing at least 14 people and i...
www.cnn.com
January 2, 2025 at 7:09 PM
NEW: Using visual evidence, we pieced together how the Bourbon Street attack unfolded on New Year’s Eve, killing at least 15 people
From Caroll Alvarado, Elizabeth Wolfe, and me
From Caroll Alvarado, Elizabeth Wolfe, and me
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
Best of 2024: Citizen militias are illegal in both Arizona and Texas, but in some cases police appear to be tacitly approving border vigilantism. @francescadnunz.bsky.social @azcir.bsky.social & @averyschmitz.bsky.social uncover the alarming collaboration between law enforcement and militias.
Border Vigilantes Are Blurring the Lines of Law Enforcement
Armed groups in Arizona and Texas are collaborating with and courting police and immigration agents—with alarming results.
www.texasobserver.org
December 27, 2024 at 5:37 PM
Best of 2024: Citizen militias are illegal in both Arizona and Texas, but in some cases police appear to be tacitly approving border vigilantism. @francescadnunz.bsky.social @azcir.bsky.social & @averyschmitz.bsky.social uncover the alarming collaboration between law enforcement and militias.
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
A lot has been happening in Sudan but very little is talked about, which is a grave mistake given the SAF & RSF often intensify their attacks around December of every year, using the lack of media attention getting closer to the holidays. But one of the dealiest took place just 2 days ago 1/
December 11, 2024 at 12:10 PM
A lot has been happening in Sudan but very little is talked about, which is a grave mistake given the SAF & RSF often intensify their attacks around December of every year, using the lack of media attention getting closer to the holidays. But one of the dealiest took place just 2 days ago 1/
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
What was the military strategy behind the takeover of Damascus? We pieced together the videos to find out. @allegragoodwin.bsky.social @averyschmitz.bsky.social @gianlucamezzo.bsky.social @isaacyeephoto.bsky.social www.cnn.com/2024/12/09/w...
How the Assad regime fell so quickly | CNN
What was the military strategy behind the takeover of Damascus? CNN’s Katie Polglase and team analyzed over a hundred videos of the final push to take the Syrian capital, Damascus, finding that it cam...
www.cnn.com
December 9, 2024 at 11:27 PM
What was the military strategy behind the takeover of Damascus? We pieced together the videos to find out. @allegragoodwin.bsky.social @averyschmitz.bsky.social @gianlucamezzo.bsky.social @isaacyeephoto.bsky.social www.cnn.com/2024/12/09/w...
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
Rodney Scott, Trump's pick to lead CBP, has a $50,000 consulting contract with the Texas AG's office for the DOJ Rio Grande river buoy lawsuit, I found via public records.
His contract ends in August 2025.
His contract ends in August 2025.
December 6, 2024 at 4:51 PM
Rodney Scott, Trump's pick to lead CBP, has a $50,000 consulting contract with the Texas AG's office for the DOJ Rio Grande river buoy lawsuit, I found via public records.
His contract ends in August 2025.
His contract ends in August 2025.
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
Hey, hi, hello. It's Paweł finally appearing with what he said he would do - creating a substack.
First introduction post, a short one, explaining myself a bit.
Tommorow a first "meat" post, with a review of recent weeks in Sahel.
Consider subscribing?
open.substack.com/pub/saladina...
First introduction post, a short one, explaining myself a bit.
Tommorow a first "meat" post, with a review of recent weeks in Sahel.
Consider subscribing?
open.substack.com/pub/saladina...
A start of the Saladinaldronni adventure
Hello everyone!
open.substack.com
November 17, 2024 at 5:03 PM
Hey, hi, hello. It's Paweł finally appearing with what he said he would do - creating a substack.
First introduction post, a short one, explaining myself a bit.
Tommorow a first "meat" post, with a review of recent weeks in Sahel.
Consider subscribing?
open.substack.com/pub/saladina...
First introduction post, a short one, explaining myself a bit.
Tommorow a first "meat" post, with a review of recent weeks in Sahel.
Consider subscribing?
open.substack.com/pub/saladina...
Reposted by Avery Schmitz
🚨 Special Report: Zamzam Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp attacked by RSF @hrl-yalesph.bsky.social confirms munition impacts, conflict-related damage to structures in Zamzam IDP camp attacked between 1-3 December. Civilians appear to be fleeing.
🛰️: Maxar
medicine.yale.edu/lab/khoshnoo...
🛰️: Maxar
medicine.yale.edu/lab/khoshnoo...
December 3, 2024 at 8:37 PM
🚨 Special Report: Zamzam Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp attacked by RSF @hrl-yalesph.bsky.social confirms munition impacts, conflict-related damage to structures in Zamzam IDP camp attacked between 1-3 December. Civilians appear to be fleeing.
🛰️: Maxar
medicine.yale.edu/lab/khoshnoo...
🛰️: Maxar
medicine.yale.edu/lab/khoshnoo...