The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, referred to the request for the repatriation of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, who is currently under process in the United States. During a morning press conference, Sheinbaum emphasized the right of any Mexican citizen to be tried in their country following due process, regardless of the crimes they are accused of.
In a letter addressed to the Mexican Consulate in New York, the lawyers of 'El Mayo' Zambada requested the Sheinbaum government to evaluate his repatriation and conduct his trial in Mexican territory. Zambada claimed that his detention and delivery to U.S. authorities was "irregular and illegal," arguing that he has the right not to be sentenced to death and that the United States failed its obligation by not verifying the legality of his entry.
The Mexican president clarified that, despite the nature of the crimes charged against Zambada, the central issue is the way he was arrested by U.S. authorities. Additionally, she pointed out that the sovereignty and the right of a Mexican citizen to be tried in their country are being protected.
These events come shortly after various drug cartels in Mexico were officially designated as terrorist groups. In January, U.S. prosecutors revealed they were discussing a possible plea agreement with Zambada. Mexico can request that the United States not apply the death penalty in cases like this, but generally repatriation is granted once the legal process has concluded.
Sheinbaum stated that her government will review the request for the repatriation of 'El Mayo' Zambada from the United States, who is facing drug trafficking-related charges in the neighboring country. Although the New York District Attorney's Office has proposed seeking the death penalty for Zambada, he has indicated that this punishment cannot be applied to him. The drug trafficker was arrested in 2024 after a deception orchestrated by Joaquín Guzmán López and faces serious charges related to fentanyl trafficking, among others.
