Mexico City has been abuzz with news of the recent capture of two notorious drug lords, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López. However, the circumstances surrounding their arrests have raised questions and speculation. The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, has now confirmed that Zambada was brought to the United States against his will, along with Guzmán López, on a plane that landed in Texas in July.
Zambada’s attorney had initially claimed that the 76-year-old drug lord had been kidnapped. But Salazar’s statement has shed new light on the situation, revealing that it was actually an operation between rival cartels. Zambada’s faction of the Sinaloa cartel, which he has led for many years, has been engaged in a fierce battle with another faction led by the sons of the imprisoned drug kingpin, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Guzmán López, who is the half-brother of the factional leaders, was the one who turned in Zambada to U.S. authorities.
According to Salazar, no U.S. personnel, resources, or aircraft were involved in the flight on which Guzmán López turned himself in. The U.S. officials were taken by surprise when the two drug lords showed up at an airport outside El Paso, Texas on July 25. This unexpected turn of events has left many wondering about the motives behind Guzmán López’s actions.
Zambada’s attorney, Frank Pérez, had previously stated that his client had not surrendered or negotiated any terms with the U.S. government. Pérez claimed that Zambada was forcibly kidnapped by Guzmán López and his men, who were dressed in military uniforms. He described how Zambada was ambushed, thrown to the ground, handcuffed, and tied up before being forced onto a plane.
In early August, Zambada made his second appearance in federal court in Texas after being taken into U.S. custody the week before. Guzmán López, on the other hand, had been in negotiations with U.S. authorities for some time before his sudden surrender. The 38-year-old has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges in federal court in Chicago.
Salazar revealed that the plane had taken off from Sinaloa, the Pacific coast state where the Sinaloa cartel is headquartered, and had filed no flight plan. He also clarified that the pilot was not American, nor was the plane. This suggests that Guzmán López had planned to turn himself in and had brought Zambada with him in hopes of receiving more favorable treatment. However, his true intentions remain unclear.
Zambada is believed to have been more involved in the day-to-day operations of the cartel than his infamous boss, “El Chapo,” who is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S. Zambada is facing charges in multiple U.S. cases, including in New York and California. In February, a new indictment was brought against him in New York, where he is described as the “principal leader of the criminal enterprise responsible for importing enormous quantities of narcotics into the United States.”
The capture of Zambada and Guzmán López, and the revelation that one cartel faction had turned in the leader of the other, has raised concerns about the potential for further violence and infighting within the already divided cartel. This prompted Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to make a public appeal to drug cartels, urging them not to engage in any more fighting.
The situation surrounding the arrests of Zambada and Guzmán López is a reminder of the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and the power struggles within the cartels. It also highlights the close cooperation between the U.S. and Mexican authorities in their efforts to combat this issue. The U.S. ambassador’s confirmation of Zambada’s forced entry into the U.S. serves as a warning to other drug lords that they will not be able to escape justice.
As Mexico continues to fight against drug trafficking and its devastating effects, it is crucial for all parties involved to work together towards a common goal. The capture of these two drug lords is a significant step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done. Let us hope that this serves as a wake-up call for all involved and leads to a safer and more peaceful Mexico.
