Sinaloa Cartel Leader’s Case Takes Odd Turn Following U.S. Arrest

The arrest of one of Mexico’s most notorious drug lords has sparked a controversial investigative response from Mexican authorities. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a significant figure in the Sinaloa cartel, was unexpectedly captured during a private flight that landed in El Paso, Texas, in July. U.S. officials revealed the dramatic circumstances of his abduction, stating he was forced onto the plane by Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of the infamous Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who had flown to the United States voluntarily.

Rather than expressing gratitude to U.S. authorities for apprehending Zambada, the Mexican government’s move to potentially charge those involved in delivering him has left many perplexed. Zambada, who had a $15 million bounty on his head, was part of an unexpected flight orchestrated by Guzmán López, who allegedly abducted him in Mexico.

The Mexican Attorney General’s Office has initiated a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Zambada’s flight. The inquiry will focus on several potential charges, including kidnapping, illegal flight, and treason.

This response is rooted in a specific clause in Mexico’s penal code that outlines treason as any act involving the illegal abduction of a person to hand them over to the authorities of another nation. This particular clause was reportedly inspired by an incident from 1990, when a Mexican doctor was abducted and sent to the U.S., igniting significant outrage within Mexico.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has long criticized U.S. operations against drug cartels. He has raised questions about the effectiveness of U.S. policies in fighting drug trafficking and suggested that authorities reconsider their approach to detaining cartel leaders. López Obrador expressed concern that the U.S. involvement in Mexican affairs undermines Mexico’s sovereignty and threatens the nation’s governance.

Over the weekend, Zambada’s attorney made public a letter from his client. In it, Zambada refuted claims that he turned himself in and insisted that he was forcibly abducted ahead of a supposed meeting with local politicians, including Sinaloa’s governor. He recounted a harrowing sequence of events where he was attacked, hooded, and transported against his will to the landing strip where the private plane awaited.

In his letter, Zambada claimed he would clarify the “many inaccurate reports” surrounding his abduction. His unequivocal denial of turning himself in was stark, claiming he had been misled and coerced into the situation. He urged the governments of both the U.S. and Mexico to be transparent about his situation and expressed a desire for peace among the people of Sinaloa, emphasizing that violence should not be an option for resolving issues.

As investigations continue, the Attorney General’s Office has begun collaborating with state prosecutors in Sinaloa regarding the governor’s potential involvement in this case. Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, linked to Zambada’s allegations, has denied any association with criminal activities and stated he was out of the state during the time of the incident.

In early August, Zambada appeared in U.S. federal court after his capture. His attorney reported that Guzmán López, previously believed to be voluntarily negotiating his surrender, may have had ulterior motives by bringing Zambada with him. Guzmán López faces multiple charges, including drug trafficking, and has pleaded not guilty.

U.S. authorities confirmed they had little forewarning of Zambada’s presence on Guzmán López’s plane. The flight originated from Sinaloa and went without filing a flight plan, raising further questions about its intentions. The plane’s mysterious nature, the lack of American involvement, and the journey’s abruptness left officials baffled as both men remain in custody.

Zambada has been a critical strategist for the Sinaloa cartel, often overshadowed by the more flamboyant “El Chapo.” The current factional strife within the cartel only adds to the complexity of this case, which intertwines politics, law enforcement, and deep-rooted issues within Mexican society.

As the investigation unfolds, the full extent of the implications surrounding Zambada’s capture and the political connections highlighted by his capture remain to be seen.

Source: CBS News