Three months after the capture of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada at a rural airport outside El Paso, Texas, new details about this event have emerged. According to narcotics journalist Luis Chaparro, the idea to hand over 'El Mayo' did not come from Joaquín Guzmán López, but from 'Chapo' Guzmán Loera himself.
Luis Chaparro explained that Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán was concerned about the legal status of his children after their sentencing in the United States. Therefore, the handover of 'El Mayo' Zambada became a strategy to seek benefits that could help Guzmán López and his brother Ovidio Guzmán, known as 'El Ratón', with the aim of reducing their sentences.
The United States ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, expressed surprise at the lack of celebration regarding the capture of 'El Mayo' Zambada by Mexican authorities. Salazar deemed this achievement should be cause for bilateral celebration between both countries, highlighting joint efforts over the past three years.
The capture of 'El Mayo' Zambada was shrouded in mystery, with statements from legal representatives of the Guzmán brothers about possible plea deals to reduce sentences for drug trafficking-related charges. It was revealed that 'El Chapo' Guzmán had advised his children to surrender, plead guilty, and cooperate in the arrest of 'El Mayo' Zambada to receive minimal sentences.
An EFE report indicates that the capture of 'El Mayo' Zambada did not involve the participation of any U.S. authorities. It is reported that the Mexican criminal was flown to northern territory, allegedly kidnapped by 'El Chapo's' son, Joaquín Guzmán López, who negotiated with U.S. authorities for his voluntary surrender and cooperation in the detention of Zambada.
