El Chapo’s Son Details Sinaloa Capo Abduction in Plea Deal

New information has emerged regarding the abduction of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a key figure in the Sinaloa Cartel. Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, has detailed this operation during a plea deal. The incident occurred on July 25, 2024, when U.S. authorities arrested both Guzmán López and Zambada in Texas.

Abduction and Plea Deal Details

Guzmán López, aged 39, pleaded guilty in a federal court in Chicago to charges of drug trafficking and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. His testimony revealed that Zambada was ambushed while attending a meeting in Culiacán. This meeting included several local politicians, one of whom was later found dead.

• Date of Zambada’s abduction: July 25, 2024
• Location: Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
• Key figures involved:
  • Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada
  • Joaquín Guzmán López
  • Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán

Guzmán López alleged that armed men entered through a removed window, seized Zambada, and took him aboard a plane bound for the United States. Once on the plane, Zambada was drugged and zip-tied. Guzmán López stated he also consumed a sedative during the flight.

Reactions and Consequences

Mexico’s government expressed outrage over the operation, suspecting U.S. involvement in the arrests. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador criticized the U.S. for its actions. Experts believe that it would have been challenging to execute the abduction without some level of U.S. knowledge or support.

Following the arrest, violence erupted in Sinaloa as factional rivalries within the cartel intensified. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration continues to confront this escalating violence.

Legal Outcomes for Guzmán López

Under the plea agreement, Guzmán López’s aim is to avoid a life sentence. His attorney indicated that the deal allows him some leniency despite the serious nature of his crimes. In contrast, his father, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is currently serving a life sentence for offenses committed over a span of 25 years, dominating drug trade routes into the United States.

This case underscores the ongoing complexities and violent struggles within the Sinaloa Cartel, reflecting the larger issues posed by drug trafficking across borders.