The US ambassador to Mexico has confirmed that drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia was brought to the United States against his will when he arrived in Texas in July on a plane with fellow drug lord Joaquin Guzman Lopez. Zambada Garcia’s lawyer had claimed he was kidnapped by Guzman Lopez and six men in military uniforms. However, the Guzman family lawyer denies a kidnapping took place and insists it was a voluntary surrender after negotiations.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has accused the US of lack of cooperation in clarifying the circumstances around the arrests of Zambada Garcia and Guzman Lopez. The US ambassador stated that no US resources were involved in bringing El Mayo to the US and that it was a result of cartel negotiations.
Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in Chicago and his motives for bringing Zambada Garcia with him remain unclear. Zambada Garcia, sentenced to life in prison in 2019, was more involved in the daily operations of the Sinaloa cartel than his former boss, El Chapo.
President Lopez Obrador has issued a plea to drug cartels to avoid violence amid fears of escalating conflict. Zambada Garcia faces charges in several US cases and a new indictment was brought against him in New York in February. The situation surrounding the arrests of these drug lords has raised concerns about future violence and the deteriorating relationship between Mexico and the US.
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