The US ambassador to Mexico has confirmed that drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia was brought to the United States against his will alongside fellow drug lord Joaquin Guzman Lopez. The Guzman family lawyer denies a kidnapping, calling it a voluntary surrender after negotiations. President Lopez Obrador expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from Washington in clarifying the circumstances surrounding the arrests. US Ambassador Salazar stated that no US resources were involved in the operation.
Zambada Garcia, long-time chief of the Sinaloa cartel, is facing drug trafficking charges in the US. The arrest has sparked fears of increased violence in Mexico, as Zambada Garcia’s faction has been in conflict with El Chapo’s sons. Guzman Lopez, facing charges in federal court in Chicago, allegedly negotiated turning himself in, but the motives for bringing Zambada Garcia remain unclear.
Zambada Garcia, sentenced to life in prison in 2019, is believed to have a more significant role in the cartel than El Chapo. He faces charges in multiple US cases and was indicted again in New York earlier this year. Amid concerns of escalating drug gang violence, President Lopez Obrador made a public plea for cartels to avoid further conflict.
The circumstances surrounding Zambada Garcia’s arrest are still unclear, but US officials state that no US resources were involved. The situation highlights the complex dynamics within drug cartels and their interactions with US authorities.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com