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The arrest of two of the leaders of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world, shook the news. On July 25, Ismael Mario Zambada García, The Mayand Joaquin Guzman Lopez, The Güeroson of El Chapo Guzmán, were arrested by the FBI at an airport in the El Paso, Texas area, according to initial reports in the media.
The hypotheses about his capture varied rapidly. It was mentioned that he had been handed over by the son of El Chapoalso that he had kidnapped him; that Rubén Rocha Moya, governor of Sinaloa, had handed them over, and finally that both had reached a cooperation agreement with the US security agencies; but in addition to this, the lack of communication and coordination between the governments is worrying; until yesterday the Mexican Executive had no certainty about the situation of The May Zambada, since although the next day the official information stated that the plane in which the drug traffickers were traveling had left Hermosillo, Sonora, eight days later President Andrés Manuel López Obrador acknowledged that Not all the elements are in place yet
and is awaiting the data that will be provided by the US authorities.
What we can be sure of is that these arrests are a clear message to the current administration, and that is that the Mexican government did not participate in the entire operation; and even if his extradition was agreed upon or not, Mexico is exposed, since despite the fact that during the entire six-year term the reduction of the interference of the US agencies in our country was mentioned as part of the presidential narrative, they have apparently continued to operate; if not: how is it that such a peaceful capture was carried out?
So far the most plausible version is that both leaders surrendered, even in an apparent letter to the public opinion, the lawyer of The May He says that the relationship between the families of Ismael and Joaquín has been one of impeccable respect for over 50 years, and that talks with the US authorities began more than four years ago, culminating in what happened on July 25.
The leader of the Sinaloa cartel is a national security problem and could become a witness who provides information about names, routes, safe houses, collections, payments, modus operandietc. In addition, even though it may sound exaggerated, his capture, if the US government decides to do so, could become a form of pressure on our country and perhaps redirect actions by the security agencies of the neighboring country.
The concern of many of the characters and leaders, both at the political and security level in organizations in Mexico, could become evident in the following days and it has been mentioned that Zambada was responsible for reaching agreements with high officials at different levels of government during many administrations.
Another point that must be closely monitored is the possible increase in violence in the country, and although up to now elements of the National Guard have been deployed in the north and it seems that everything remains calm, it is likely that the fighting for the squares and the roads will intensify in the coming days, so we will have to be aware of the actions of organized crime.
The opacity that characterizes the arrest of both drug lords and the lack of information from the authorities is worthy of analysis; we have heard little. However, the second hearing was held before the federal court in El Paso, Texas, where Zambada reappeared in a wheelchair and wearing a hospital bracelet, which confirms the theories of a possible cancer or serious illness; it has also been mentioned that Joaquín Guzmán López suffers from thyroid and blood pressure problems.
Several questions remain: Is it possible that Jesús Vicente Zambada Niebla negotiated on behalf of his father so that he would surrender? Is this a show of force? Will the bilateral relationship change to a more unilateral one? Why have some drug traffickers preferred to negotiate with the Americans and not with the authorities in Mexico? It is said that in politics nothing is a coincidence and the arrest of Zambada, who is accused of organized crime, money laundering and various crimes related to drug trafficking in the United States could set off alarm bells for many people in Mexico, in addition to the fact that, although not all the information is true, it could unleash chaos just because of the source that issues it. In addition to the above, it is worth taking into account the release that has been decreed of Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, who once free, surely like other ex-convicts, will take back control of his criminal organizations. The panorama looks complex and violent.
* Consultant on security, intelligence, education, religion, justice, and politics
