The Attorney General's Office of the Republic (FGR) reported that it has requested the extradition of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada from the United States on four occasions, who recently requested his repatriation to Mexico. According to Mexican authorities, Zambada has three outstanding arrest warrants in the country.
In a press conference, the head of the FGR, Alejandro Gertz Manero, stated that since the capture of the co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel in July 2024, an extradition process has been initiated with U.S. authorities. This procedure includes investigations into a possible kidnapping of Zambada and his illegal transport to the United States.
According to Gertz Manero, 'El Mayo' Zambada has three pending arrest warrants in Mexico. Despite having submitted extradition requests, the previous U.S. administration has not responded to date.
On the other hand, 'El Mayo' Zambada's legal defense delivered a letter to the Mexican government last week in which the drug lord claims that the bilateral relationship between Mexico and the United States will be affected if he is not repatriated. The lawyers have argued that Zambada's handover to U.S. authorities was illegal and irregular, violating treaties agreed upon with Mexico.
The FGR considers Zambada's arrest in the United States a "kidnapping," as he was handed over by Joaquín Guzmán López, son of 'El Chapo' Guzmán, on a plane. This event has triggered a conflict among factions of the Sinaloa Cartel since September of last year, with over 800 murders recorded in the state of Sinaloa.
Amid uncertainty about Zambada's future, his defense clarified that it is not negotiating any alliance with the United States to secure his release, although the possibility of a plea agreement is being considered in case the death penalty is not sought against him.
