Mexican Prosecutors Weigh Treason Charges After US Jails Drug Lord ‘El Mayo’ Zambada

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The dramatic capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a prominent drug lord, has stirred significant controversy in Mexico, leading authorities there to consider treason charges against those involved in his transfer to the United States.

The unexpected arrest occurred when Zambada appeared on a private flight that landed near El Paso, Texas, after Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of the notorious Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, arranged the flight. U.S. officials claim that Guzmán López kidnapped Zambada before departing Mexico, forcing him onto the aircraft.

Instead of expressing gratitude towards U.S. law enforcement for apprehending Zambada, who has long been sought for his involvement in violent criminal activities, Mexican officials have begun investigations into possible crimes committed during his transfer. This includes considering treason charges against Guzmán and others involved.

The Attorney General’s Office of Mexico announced that it has initiated a criminal investigation into a range of potential offenses, including illegal flight, immigration violations, and kidnapping, among others. This reaction stems from a specific provision in Mexico’s penal code regarding treason, which imposes harsh penalties of up to 40 years in prison.

This legal clause encompasses traditional views of treason, which include acts of aggression against Mexico on behalf of another nation, but it also includes the unlawful abduction of a Mexican citizen to transfer them to a foreign entity.

Historically, this clause can be traced back to an incident involving a Mexican doctor, Humberto Machaín, who was kidnapped in Mexico in 1990 and delivered to U.S. authorities, displeasing many in Mexico.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has taken a strong stance against U.S. intervention in Mexican affairs and has refrained from confronting drug cartels directly. He expressed doubts about the U.S. strategy of detaining cartel leaders, questioning why such policies remain unchanged.

Moreover, in light of the Zambada case, López Obrador proposed that there might be a conspiracy to undermine his government by suggesting ties between his political party, Morena, and drug traffickers.

Zambada’s attorney has presented a letter claiming that his client was ambushed under the pretense of a meeting with the governor of Sinaloa. According to the letter, Zambada was assaulted, hooded, and handcuffed before being forcibly taken to a nearby airstrip.

In the letter, Zambada recounted how Guzmán López had lured him under false pretenses, indicating possible connections between drug lords and political figures in Sinaloa. However, the governor, Rubén Rocha Moya, has denied any involvement, asserting that he was not present in Sinaloa on the day of the incident.

Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has assumed oversight of the case and has reached out to Governor Rocha for more information, but has not formally summoned him to provide testimony.

Zambada, aged 76, appeared in a federal court in Texas shortly after being taken into custody. His arrest has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Guzmán López’s decision to turn himself in and subsequently kidnap Zambada.

U.S. authorities reported that they were caught off guard when Guzmán López’s plane arrived in Texas and were not informed that Zambada would be on board. Both men face numerous drug-related charges in the U.S. and are currently being held in custody.

Kenneth Salazar, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, noted that the plane departed from Sinaloa without filing a flight plan and emphasized that the pilot was not U.S. personnel. This detail insinuates that Guzmán López intended to negotiate a surrender to U.S. officials, potentially to seek leniency, but his exact motivations remain unclear.

Zambada has been recognized as the strategic leader of the Sinaloa cartel, often regarded as more operationally involved than his predecessor, “El Chapo,” who is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S. under severe drug trafficking allegations.

Zambada’s faction is reportedly engaged in intense conflicts with rival factions led by Guzmán’s sons, highlighting the ongoing volatility within the Sinaloa cartel and the broader impact of its activities on Mexican society.

As the situation unfolds, the potential legal repercussions for those involved in Zambada’s transfer, alongside the broader implications for Mexican drug policy and U.S.-Mexico relations, are keenly observed by both countries and beyond.

Source: AP