Why are there questions about the arrests of the leaders of the Mexican Sinaloa cartel? – DNyuz

On June 25, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of two high-ranking leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel: co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

“Both men face multiple charges in the United States for directing the drug cartel’s criminal activities,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement on June 25.

Zambada, 76, and Guzman, 38, are the latest Sinaloa cartel leaders to be arrested by the Justice Department. El Chapo and another son, Ovidio Guzman Lopez — along with Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, or “El Nini” — are already in U.S. custody on drug trafficking charges.

US President Joe Biden praised law enforcement officials “for their continued work to bring the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel to justice”.

But the circumstances of their arrests in El Paso, Texas, have been shrouded in mystery, with the U.S. ambassador to Mexico acknowledging on Friday that Zambada had been brought to the U.S. against his will, while Zambada’s lawyer has claimed his client was kidnapped from Mexico by Guzman. Guzman’s lawyer, however, has said it was a voluntary surrender.

So what do we know about the arrests and how they could affect the drug cartels? What impact will this have on bilateral ties between the US and Mexico?

What do we know about the arrests?

It is alleged that Guzman lured Zambada aboard the plane with the intention of scouting real estate. However, the plane eventually flew towards the US border and the two were arrested by police.

El Chapo, the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, was extradited to the US in January 2017, where he faced charges including drug trafficking, money laundering and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.

In 2019, El Chapo was sentenced to life in prison at the US prison ADX Florence, a “supermax” maximum security prison in Colorado.

There is still uncertainty surrounding the recent arrests, with Zambada and Guzman giving conflicting accounts of what happened.

“I was ambushed,” Zambada said in a statement released Saturday through his lawyer. Zambada’s lawyer announced Friday that Guzman and six men in military uniforms “forcibly abducted” his client in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state, and then transported him to the United States against his will.

Guzman’s lawyer denies this, saying it was a voluntary surrender after lengthy discussions with US law enforcement.

What do we know about Zambada and Guzman Lopez?

Zambada began his criminal career in the 1980s, initially working with the Juarez Cartel and Amado Carrillo Fuentes, before teaming up with “El Chapo” to lead the Sinaloa Cartel.

He was known for keeping a low profile and focusing on the business aspects of drug trafficking rather than resorting to violence. In 2003, he was indicted in the US, with a reward for his arrest of up to $15 million.

Guzman, known by his alias “El Guero Moreno,” is the son of “El Chapo,” the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Along with his brothers, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, he led a faction within the cartel commonly known as “Los Chapitos.” Ovidio Guzman Lopez is currently incarcerated in the United States.

This group, “Los Chapitos,” is involved in drug trafficking, including the distribution of fentanyl and other illegal substances in the US.

“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, and the Department of Justice will not rest until every cartel leader, member, and associate responsible for poisoning our communities is held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney General Garland.

Following their recent arrests, the cartel members have pleaded not guilty to multiple drug trafficking charges in the US.

What are Mexican and US authorities saying about the arrest?

US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar confirmed that Zambada was brought to the US involuntarily, stating: “The evidence that we saw indicates that they brought El Mayo Zambada against his will.”

Mexico has asked the U.S. to disclose the circumstances surrounding the arrests. The U.S. government’s lack of cooperation in clarifying those details has been a source of frustration for outgoing Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has called for U.S. transparency.

Claudia Sheinbaum, who will be sworn in as Mexico’s new president on October 1, has not made any public comments about the recent arrests.

According to Garland, an American journalist, the operation that led to their arrest was the result of betrayal within the cartel.

What implications does this have for US-Mexico relations?

The surprise nature of the arrests has led to speculation about the extent of U.S. involvement in cartel cases, further fueling the Mexican government’s distrust of U.S. security policy.

The Mexican government has consistently shown sensitivity to issues of national sovereignty in dealing with the United States. The arrest of Zambada and Guzman could strain relations between the two neighbors.

Mexican Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez said it was unclear whether Zambada’s transfer was a voluntary surrender or a kidnapping. She has asked U.S. authorities for more information.

Mexico has long cooperated with the U.S. in the so-called war on drugs. The U.S. has also sought Mexico’s help in dealing with the arrival of asylum seekers at the U.S. border. But ties have been tested since Lopez Obrador became president of Mexico in 2018.

What implications does this have for the future of the Sinaloa Cartel?

The arrests have raised concerns among Mexican authorities about a possible escalation of violence within drug gangs.

The rivalry within the Sinaloa cartel, particularly the competition between Zambada’s faction and Guzman’s faction alongside his brothers, could fuel a looming power struggle that could potentially lead to violent confrontations.

This could potentially lead to other cartels exploiting the rivalry within the Sinaloa cartel. The Jalisco New Generation cartel could take advantage of the weakened state of the Sinaloa cartel and attempt to expand its territory and influence.

But for the US, this is a huge success in the war on drugs.

“Too many of our citizens have been killed by the scourge of fentanyl,” said US President Biden. “Too many families are broken and suffering at the hands of this destructive drug. My administration will continue to do everything we can to hold deadly drug traffickers accountable and save American lives.”

The post Why Are There Questions About the Arrests of Leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel? first appeared on Al Jazeera.