On June 25, the U.S. Division of Justice introduced the arrest of two high-ranking leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel: co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada García and Joaquín Guzmán López, son of imprisoned drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
“Each males face a number of fees in the USA for main the Cartel’s legal operation,” U.S. Legal professional Normal Merrick Garland mentioned in a press release on June 25.
Zambada, 76, and Guzmán, 38, are the newest Sinaloa cartel leaders to be arrested by the Justice Division. El Chapo and one other of his sons, Ovidio Guzmán López – together with Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas or “El Nini” – are already in U.S. custody for drug trafficking.
US President Joe Biden praised regulation enforcement officers “for his or her continued work to convey the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel to justice.”
However the circumstances of his arrest in El Paso, Texas, are shrouded in thriller. The U.S. ambassador to Mexico acknowledged Friday that Zambada was dropped at the USA in opposition to his will, whereas Zambada’s lawyer mentioned his consumer was kidnapped by Guzman in Mexico. Guzman’s lawyer, alternatively, mentioned it was a voluntary give up.
What do we all know concerning the arrests and the way they may have an effect on drug cartels? What influence will this have on bilateral relations between the USA and Mexico?
What do we all know concerning the arrests?
Guzman is alleged to have tricked Zambada into boarding the aircraft beneath the pretext of scouting actual property, just for the aircraft to finally head towards the U.S. border and the 2 to be arrested by police.
El Chapo, the previous chief of the Sinaloa cartel, was extradited to the USA in January 2017, the place he confronted fees together with drug trafficking, cash laundering and taking part in a unbroken legal enterprise.
In 2019, El Chapo was sentenced to life in jail on the ADX Florence Penitentiary, a supermax jail in Colorado.
Particulars concerning the latest arrests stay unclear, with Zambada and Guzman giving conflicting accounts of what occurred.
“I used to be ambushed,” Zambada mentioned in a press release launched via his lawyer on Saturday. Zambada’s lawyer introduced Friday that Guzman and 6 males in navy uniforms “forcibly kidnapped” his consumer in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state. They then proceeded to move him in opposition to his will to the USA.
Guzman’s lawyer denies this and says it was a voluntary give up after prolonged discussions with US police.
What will we find out about Zambada and Guzmán López?
Zambada started his legal profession within the Nineteen Eighties, initially working with the Juarez Cartel and Amado Carrillo Fuentes earlier than teaming up with “El Chapo” to guide the Sinaloa Cartel.
Recognized for holding a low profile whereas specializing in the enterprise points of drug trafficking moderately than resorting to violence, he was indicted in the USA in 2003 and the reward for his seize was raised to $15 million.
Guzmán, identified by his alias “El Güero Moreno,” is the son of “El Chapo,” former chief of the Sinaloa cartel.
Alongside along with his brothers, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, he led a faction throughout the cartel generally often known as “Los Chapitos.” Ovidio Guzman Lopez is at present in U.S. custody.
This group, “Los Chapitos,” has been concerned in drug trafficking operations, together with the distribution of fentanyl and different illicit substances all through the USA.
“Fentanyl is probably the most deadly drug menace our nation has ever confronted, and the Division of Justice is not going to relaxation till each cartel chief, member, and affiliate accountable for poisoning our communities is held accountable,” mentioned U.S. Legal professional Normal Garland.
Following their latest arrests, the cartel members have pleaded not responsible to a number of drug trafficking fees in the USA.
What do Mexican and U.S. authorities say concerning the arrest?
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar confirmed that Zambada was dropped at the USA involuntarily, saying, “The proof we noticed signifies that El Mayo Zambada was introduced in opposition to his will.”
Mexico has requested the USA to disclose the circumstances of the arrests. The dearth of cooperation from the US authorities in clarifying these particulars was a supply of frustration for the outgoing Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who known as for transparency from the USA.
Claudia Sheinbaum, who shall be sworn in as Mexico’s new president on October 1, has not made any public statements concerning the latest arrests.
American Garland described the operation that led to his arrests as the results of a betrayal throughout the cartel.
How will this have an effect on US relations with Mexico?
The shock nature of the arrests has fueled hypothesis concerning the extent of U.S. involvement in cartel affairs, additional rising the Mexican administration’s mistrust of American safety insurance policies.
The Mexican authorities has persistently demonstrated sensitivity to problems with nationwide sovereignty in its relations with the USA. The arrest of Zambada and Guzmán might pressure relations between the 2 neighbors.
Mexican Safety Secretary Rosa Icela Rodriguez mentioned it was unclear whether or not Zambada’s switch was a voluntary give up or a kidnapping, and requested U.S. officers for extra data.
Mexico has lengthy cooperated with the USA in its so-called battle on medication. The USA has additionally sought Mexico’s assist in addressing the arrival of asylum seekers on the U.S. border. However ties have been examined since López Obrador took over as Mexico’s president in 2018.
How will this have an effect on the way forward for the Sinaloa Cartel?
The arrests have raised issues amongst Mexican authorities a few doable escalation of violence inside drug trafficking teams.
Rivalry throughout the Sinaloa cartel, particularly the competitors between Zambada’s faction and Guzmán’s faction alongside along with his brothers, might gas an impending energy battle that might probably result in violent clashes.
This might result in different cartels making the most of the rivalry throughout the Sinaloa cartel. The Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel might make the most of the weakening of the Sinaloa cartel and attempt to develop its territory and affect.
However for the USA, this marks a significant success in its battle on medication.
“Too a lot of our residents have misplaced their lives to the scourge of fentanyl,” mentioned U.S. President Biden. “Too many households have been damaged and are struggling due to this harmful drug. My administration will proceed to do the whole lot in our energy to carry lethal drug traffickers accountable and save American lives.”
