BTN News: In a startling twist within the convoluted narrative surrounding the arrest of two key members of the Sinaloa Cartel in the United States—Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López—the Mexican federal prosecutors have unveiled an unexpected charge. However, this accusation against Guzmán López, son of the infamous Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is not related to his notorious drug trafficking activities but rather stems from a shocking betrayal within the cartel itself. The Mexican government is now accusing Guzmán López of kidnapping Zambada, his father’s long-time associate and co-leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, and handing him over to U.S. authorities. This accusation, which has sent shockwaves through both Mexico and the United States, could potentially redefine the internal power dynamics of one of the world’s most feared criminal organizations.
The charges, as outlined by the Mexican Attorney General’s Office (FGR), allege that Guzmán López illegally detained Zambada on Mexican soil with the explicit intent of delivering him to U.S. officials, thus committing an act of treason under Mexican law. This accusation, which is based on an obscure provision in the Mexican penal code, highlights the deep fractures and power struggles within the Sinaloa Cartel, a group already reeling from the imprisonment of its former leader, El Chapo, who is currently serving a life sentence in the United States. Surprisingly, the indictment does not mention any drug-related charges against Guzmán López, despite his alleged role in trafficking fentanyl—a highly profitable and deadly synthetic opioid that has been ravaging communities across North America.
The saga took a dramatic turn on July 25, when both Zambada and Guzmán López were apprehended by U.S. authorities upon their arrival in Texas via a private jet—a scenario that is now under investigation by the Mexican government. While Zambada was expected to face numerous charges in Mexico, the Secretary of Security, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, admitted that she was unaware of any pending cases against Guzmán López at the time. This admission has fueled speculation and concern over the potential involvement of high-ranking Mexican officials in the events leading up to the arrests.
Adding to the controversy, the FGR has launched a scathing critique of the Sinaloa State Prosecutor’s Office, following the resignation of its head last week. The federal prosecutors accused the state office of severe errors, omissions, and inconsistencies in its investigation into the murder of Héctor Melesio Cuén, a local politician who, according to Zambada, was present at the location where he was abducted by Guzmán López. Cuén, who Zambada described as a close friend, was reportedly murdered at a gas station—a claim the FGR has now strongly disputed.
According to Zambada, the sequence of events began when Guzmán López invited him to a meeting on the outskirts of Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa. Zambada believed that the meeting would also be attended by the state governor, Rubén Rocha, and Cuén, both of whom are influential figures within the ruling Morena party. However, what was supposed to be a routine gathering between allies allegedly turned into a treacherous kidnapping, culminating in Zambada’s forced extradition to the United States.
The Sinaloa Prosecutor’s Office initially asserted that Cuén was killed in a gas station incident and even released a video purportedly showing the moment of his assassination. However, on Wednesday, the FGR dismissed this account, declaring that the evidence presented by the local authorities lacked credibility and could not be considered reliable. This discrepancy has further deepened suspicions of a cover-up and has cast doubt on the integrity of the local law enforcement’s involvement in the case.
The capture of these two prominent cartel figures, who have now appeared in U.S. courts facing multiple charges of drug trafficking, has triggered a political and legal storm in Mexico. The situation has exposed the intricate web of connections between organized crime and political elites, raising uncomfortable questions about the extent of these relationships and the possibility of collusion at the highest levels. The ongoing investigation into the events surrounding the arrests, including the alleged manipulation of evidence in Cuén’s murder, underscores the complexity of dismantling the power structures of a cartel that has long operated with impunity.
As the fallout from these arrests continues to unfold, the implications for both the Sinaloa Cartel and the Mexican political landscape are profound. The accusation against Guzmán López not only challenges the traditional narratives surrounding cartel loyalty and leadership but also opens the door to further inquiries into the cartel’s influence over Mexican authorities. As these developments play out, they will likely have far-reaching consequences for the future of the Sinaloa Cartel and the ongoing battle against organized crime in Mexico.
