Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, the co-founder of the Sinaloa drug cartel, claims he was kidnapped in Mexico and forcibly taken to the United States last month. His lawyer released a statement detailing the incident, contradicting claims made by US authorities that he was arrested alongside Joaquin Guzman Lopez upon landing in El Paso, Texas. Zambada described being ambushed by armed men, assaulted, and transported to the US against his will. This account follows a denial from the Guzman family lawyer, who asserted that Zambada voluntarily surrendered after negotiations.
Zambada emphasized the importance of setting the record straight about his arrest, refuting rumors of abduction circulating in the media. He recounted being lured to a meeting by Guzman Lopez before being ambushed, assaulted, and transported to the US by plane. The lawyer for the Guzman family disputes the kidnapping claims.
The incident involving Zambada has triggered speculations about cartel operations and cooperation in Mexico. Zambada, known for his role in the Sinaloa drug cartel’s daily operations, is now facing charges in the US for drug trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder. The arrests of Zambada and Guzman Lopez have raised concerns about escalating violence in Mexico, prompting President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to appeal to drug cartels to avoid further conflict.
This latest development in the case highlights the complex and dangerous dynamics of cartel activity in Mexico and the impact it has on both the country and the United States. The arrest and extradition of Zambada shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime in the region.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com