Albuquerque’s International District, long referred to as the “War Zone” and more recently as “Zombie Land,” has gained fresh national attention after a viral YouTube video exposed the harsh realities of crime, drugs, and homelessness in the area. YouTuber Nick Johnson, known for his “Unboxing America” channel with over 1.1 million subscribers, took his audience on a raw, unfiltered tour of the district—and liberals are losing their minds over it.
“Oh God,” Johnson says at the start of his nearly 54-minute video, capturing scenes of people slumped over after using fentanyl, trash-filled streets, and an overwhelming sense of despair. The video, which has garnered over 186,000 views in less than two days, provides a brutally honest look at the decay in Albuquerque’s once-thriving neighborhoods. Johnson describes it as “the most frightful neighborhood in America” and adds, “This is super bad… I don’t think I’ve seen this bad since Austin, Texas, but this feels sketchier and more widespread”—a damning indictment of Albuquerque’s decline, as reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Democrats Defend Their Failure
Instead of acknowledging the depth of the crisis, local Democratic leaders have rushed to defend their record. Mayor Tim Keller’s spokesperson, Shannon Kunkel, dismissed the video’s impact, claiming, “Videos by out-of-state influences that exploit people in crisis for likes offer no real solutions to the complex, national challenges we’re facing with addiction and homelessness.” However, this response sidesteps the fact that the situation has spiraled under the watch of Democratic leadership, despite years of promises to clean up the area.
Keller’s administration claims to have poured resources into the district, but the reality on the ground paints a different picture. Wraparound services, additional housing units, and crime-fighting technology have done little to stem the tide of drugs and violence. As Johnson bluntly puts it, “You can’t save any of the people I witnessed on the streets of Albuquerque that day… But, hopefully every kid growing up in New Mexico watches this video and it scares them into never wanting to live their lives like that.”
Elected Officials in Denial
Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, an Albuquerque Democrat whose district includes the International District, downplayed Johnson’s portrayal of the area. “The implication is, ‘Oh, this is a horrible place with murder and mayhem and crime,’ and what you see is people milling about on the street in the middle of the night,” Stewart said, dismissing concerns about public safety. Yet, Stewart herself acknowledged during a Senate hearing that the area has become “the state epicenter for crime, pedestrian fatalities, cartel activity, human trafficking, drugs, crime, tent cities… It’s gotten quite bad.” Her contradictory remarks highlight the disconnect between Democratic rhetoric and the grim reality.
Republican Senator Nicole Tobiassen, however, painted a far grimmer—and more realistic—picture based on her own experiences. “There were drugged-out people walking in the middle of the street… urinating and defecating in the street,” she recounted, describing a visit to the area. “That was a few years ago, and it’s worse now.” Tobiassen’s blunt assessment echoes what Johnson’s video showed—a district in crisis, where residents live in fear and degradation is the norm.
The Ugly Truth: Decay Under Democrat Leadership
Johnson’s video also exposes Albuquerque as “the center for the drug trade” due to its position at the intersection of Interstates 25 and 40. “They come here and cut the drug[s], split it up, bag it up and then distribute it off to the rest of the country,” he explains, illustrating how Albuquerque has become a hub for trafficking and criminal activity.
While Stewart and others tout initiatives like Senate Bill 481, which aims to turn Expo New Mexico, where the State Fair is held, into an apparent housing complex, the truth is that years of Democrat control have only worsened the situation. As Tobiassen aptly stated, “The fact that it’s just allowed to continue is a tragedy.”
Stewart may attempt to highlight positive developments, but even she admitted, “It’s very embarrassing.” And for good reason—Democrats have had years to reverse the decline, yet the International District remains a glaring symbol of failed policies and misguided priorities.
Time for Real Solutions, Not Denial
The harsh truth is that Albuquerque’s International District, once a place of promise, has become a reflection of Democrat mismanagement. The time for excuses and denial is over, Johnson warned, “This video should be required viewing for high school kids in your state.” Perhaps it’s also time for New Mexico’s leaders to watch and finally confront the disaster their policies have created.
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I watched it and as an unfortunate resident of this dump, he showed the raw and real War Zone. It’s not just isolated to that area, but it’s on practically every major street in Albuquerque. Every major street is turning into Central with the bums, druggies and carts. Businesses are boarded up thanks to that as well as the state’s hostility to business.
Sadly, the people in charge are not willing to change and too many voters here are too stupid to replace them. The city and its “services” keep enabling this cycle.
I am pushing my kids to leave NM as soon as they graduate high school and I plan to leave as well. Such a tragic an pathetic situation here where “potential” is all New Mexico and Albuquerque will ever be,
I’m a native new mexican and was drunk on my state for close to 60 years. I finally decided to get out and it was the best decision I could have made. Got tired of having a lawless state tax me and use MY hard earned money for their demoNAZI crap. NM is a total wasteland and in my opinion, can and never will fixable. SO Sad,,,
I am sitting down on a break from packing up our home of 33 years, as we make our last load out of the state. My husband and I are native New Mexicans; my family has been in the state for centuries. We’ve seen a state that had problems because of Democratic “leadership” for our whole lives, but has now plummeted into depths of crime, despair, poverty and hopelessness because even the sensible Democrats have been overwhelmed by the senselessness of the current “leaders” at the city, county, and state levels. We never thought we could leave the beautiful weather, beautiful mountains, and the best food on the planet, but Michelle Lujan-Grisham and Tim Keller have driven us (and our tax dollars) to Texas.
You are 1000 percent correct.
Left turn at Albuquerque.
It’s not just the War Zone.
The entire city is a cesspool.
I’m in the NE Heights. When I was young, this was the affluent, white, low crime part of town.
Not anymore…the decay is everywhere. NE Heights is crime ridden, full of homeless and dope shops/massage parlors.
This is the feather in the cap of Tim Keller… He is ruling over the ashes of his wonderful policies. He and the City Council are now handing out money to this area of town. Brilliant idea right!
Locals are at equal blame for voting in Democrat leadership. We have corruption at every level, but Tim’s bike lanes and food truck support is the answer right!?
Do Better Albuquerque!
There should be sign’s when you drive into Albuq. that say,” CAUTION CRIMEZONE”. How many folks lost there belongings parking at an Albuq. hotel for the night while just passing through ?
Elections have consequences…..
They certainly do. I’ll be moving to Florida this year.
Very sad. Santa Fe has really fallen also. Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces are sanctuary for the criminals that get put back on the streets after doing major crimes.
The Dems have their heels dug in.
The Dems don’t do anything and neither do the Republicans (but fight amongst each other). Once the People decide and realize they are the authority and back their Sheriff so the Sheriff can make Constitutional remedies, then there will be some movement into the right direction. We are about 20 years from this reality though.
I’ve been here 18 years and seen Santa Fe in a race to be worse than Espanola drugs are commonplace all across the state. Kids can’t read and are graduating and the dims protest the shutting down of the Dept. of Education!!?
Blame the republicans, blame the democrats, same empty bag of hot air. When will this nation stop sinning and turn back to Jesus?
Okay folks. I was born at Lovelace Hospital on Gibson. My grandfather and grandmother, and their 16 children, built a small adobe room to live in and eventually expanded that home. It is still standing on the corner of Dallas and Southern SE. I went to Emerson Elementary and later Van Buren Jr. High School. My grandmother lived in the home until the late 80s, when she sold it and moved to another location, in the SE part of town. When I was growing up, with my grandmother, our house and another house a few blocks to the west were there. Both families had at least 16 or more children. Grandma’s boys would fight daily with the Hurons boys and vice versa. As one of three kids under 5 years, we would also be included in the daily fights. Growing up, there were not many homes in the section of Albuquerque. We had a Mason lodge straight across from Grandma’s house. All the roads were dirt. Later, as I became a teenager, the neighborhood grew as more homes and apartments were built. The war between the families stopped as one of my uncles married a Huron girl. So, peace between both families continues. I believe that we were the first to start the neighborhood named the “War Zone”. Later, when Mayor Keller came to office, the city decided to give the “War Zone” and new name, hence “International District. Since the 1970s, the United States had begun to place many Vietnamese people in the area, later African American people, and other countries settled in the SE district from Louisiana on the West and Wyoming on the north from the Southern south and the Central north. Keller and city leaders wanted to transform the area to sound nice. But sadly, that did not work, and the name “War Zone” is reflected in the area. I have so many stories about that area. For instance, the park on Dallas was once a fenced-in area that had an old mare in the block where the park is now. As kids, we would go from Southern and Dallas to check the mailbox located on Bell and Dallas. Of course, we would stop to give the mare some long grass growing there and pet it nose on the way and pet its nose on the way back. We had just white cotton underwear on in the summer months, as there were other people around. We were never bothered. Sadly, the area has never recovered from its name “War Zone,” no matter the name changes or money put into the area over the years. One reason the area is the cost of renting is cheaper as the homes and apartments are very old, allowing many who are lower income to find a place to live. The schools are Title I Schools. Businesses over the decades have left or closed due to the difficult economics of the area. Having to compete with business not in the “War Zone” I have so much more to share about this area .
Thanks for your stories. I hope that you will write down all your many stories and find a way to share them with us!
You can change your party, register to vote at NMVote.org. Tim Keller should not be re-elected for mayor of War Zone.
The Libs are in an uproar because it’s the truth and a liberal has been in control of ABQ for 8 years as well as Libs have been in control at the state level for almost a century
In my view the MLG and all Democrats are baby killers and sluts MLG Is the madam whore
I agree with everything said above, however, change does not occur by stating the obvious and continuing to see the worst in life. Focus on what you want and imagine the best life for New Mexicans. The grass is not always greener and there is always going to be a dark side anywhere you go. Find the good and stop moaning.
This a very real assesment of what i call the bumverse…taking the “scenic”route to 999 market is scetchy but just as johnson shows it . not that long ago on east central a raging homeless woman threw a bog rock at my car and dented the door…do almost everything in edgewood since…this guy should make a calender for the tourism board.
I moved my family to Rio Rancho 18 years ago from California. I’ve watched Rio Rancho grow and I’ve loved it for 18 years. I feel safe here and rarely go across the river to the “crumbly” Albuquerque (although we love Old Town and Uptown). Vote for real change in Albuquerque and New Mexico next time! This is a stunningly beautiful state if you take the time to explore!
Marxist policies always cause poverty crime and despair. New Mexico is no different. The only question is are these neo Bolshevik’s doing it as policy from their handlers and Donors ie (soros) or are they really so steeped in the mental illness of liberalism that these disasters are the unwitting results?
Haven’t been to Albuquerque in years. We used to go to shop and dine out and stay a night or two, not any more. The Democrapic dump is just that. A once nice place is a hazardous war zone. I’ll spend my money elsewhere, probably at Amazon.
My big question for the people here, “Is it bad enough yet”? Nothing will change till people see that their tax dollars are being squandered ON SO CALLED PROGRAMS, THAT IN REALLITY JUST ENABLE PEOPLE TO BE THIER WORST
I drive thru these zones every day. Where were these people 10 years ago? Why are we seeing thousands of druggies, mentally deranged and violent homeless? Many are VICTIMS of the criminal types in the zones. Most are in cycles of addiction and normalcy, abused and taken advantage of in their states of delusion. Have you seen the ‘tiny home village’? Surrounded by tents and garbage and strung out people. And yes, the drug use is right in the open, as is prostitution and sex traffic. At least 2 murders in the Central/Pennsylvania zone. What is the solution? DemocRats don’t have the guts to do what is necessary – ‘tough love’.
pedocrat mofos support gun control because they want their thug constituents & relatives to be safe from the law-abiding. enjoy de vibrancy!
I am totally amazed by the dumb and dumber leadership here in NM. The head in the clouds nicey nice self glorified bleeding hearts who prefer to coddle the criminals and persecute the police. In reality their heads are below the waist in a dark cavity. Then you have the senate leader Mimi Stewart presenting her solution to tear down the NM Expo that is producing millions of dollars a year. My reply to this asinine bill was it was absurd to take away an avenue of income, exhibitions, graduations, flea market and other community activities to plant a flower garden in the middle of a cesspool. My suggestion was to buy up the boarded up neighboring businesses like the Walmart, the CVS pharmacy, the small businesses along Central and San Pedro as well as the other deteriorated landscape.
The legal system needs to hang up their crying towel and put their big people panties on and be proactive instead of reactive. It’s sad to see bodies stumbling around without a functioning brain or others just waiting for another handout. The government and the power mongers here in NM have created the problem and aren’t the least bit concerned to fix it unless the good fairy comes and sprinkles miracle dust. They need to put them in an encampment with tents by enforcing a curfew. They also need to be putem th to cleaning up all the trash, graffiti, defecations etc. that they leave behind. No reason they an’t be held responsible and accountable.
I am seriously thinking of going home and shopping in Texas. My god what has happened to our state. God please protect us all. This has got to stop. Abortions (we did not vote for this), more taxes in the background, control and other slap in our face.
The list is long of the people who are to blame ,but let’s start at the top.. Moochie Loserjan, Pretty boy Tim Keller, and their follwers who push for the sanctuary city crap. Then add to that the no cajones judges, and the NO MORALS lawyers who insist the jailhouse have revolving doors letting the thugs and riff-raff out to run the streets. When New Mexicans wake up and quit voting idiots into office New Mexico might stand a chance!!