In a series of intricate developments concerning the Sinaloa Cartel, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico recently disclosed that Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of the notorious drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, is in negotiations with the United States. This revelation follows the arrest of key cartel leaders, including Guzmán López, often known as ‘El Güero Moreno,’ and Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada. Although the U.S. authorities have yet to release detailed information on the captures or any subsequent extradition agreements, significant insights have emerged from Mexican officials.
Confirmation from Mexican Authorities
Twelve days post-arrest, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, the head of Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), confirmed the involvement of the United States in the arrest operations that took place on July 25 in El Paso, Texas. However, she indicated that the information received from the U.S. does not encompass the entire scope desired by the Mexican administration.
Under the directive of President López Obrador, the incoming head of the Ministry of the Interior (Segob) disclosed that there was a specific agreement concerning the handover of Joaquín Guzmán López to U.S. authorities. “In the U.S., there was an agreement between people who are in prison and people who are free. There was an agreement between them for the respective handover (of Joaquín) in the United States. That is basically what it consists of,” she explained.
When queried about the inclusion of both Ovidio and Joaquín Guzmán López in the agreement, the official confirmed, “That’s right.”
U.S. Negotiations and Acknowledgment
President López Obrador had earlier indicated that U.S. officials acknowledged engaging in negotiations with Joaquín Guzmán López. During a press briefing, he stated, “What they told us is that they had been in talks with him and suddenly not only Guzmán López arrived, but also Mr. Zambada.”
This acknowledgment of negotiations adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing efforts to dismantle cartel operations, reflecting the intricate international dynamics involved in combating drug trafficking.
Ovidio Guzmán’s Role and Potential as a U.S. Protected Witness
On July 26, following the arrests, Rosa Icela Rodríguez suggested the possibility that Ovidio Guzmán López, also known as ‘El Ratón,’ might have become or is on the path to becoming a protected witness for the United States. “We are waiting…we have information, but we are waiting for an official statement. So far, there is talk of a precautionary measure that indicates that this could have been the case,” she stated.
This statement came in light of revelations that the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) records for Guzmán López were altered to indicate a “release” on July 23. It was later clarified that this referred to his transfer from the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Chicago, Illinois, to another facility for security reasons. The circumstances surrounding this transfer have fueled speculation about his potential cooperation with U.S. authorities.
Mexico’s Non-Involvement in the Capture
Rosa Icela Rodríguez emphasized that the Mexican government did not participate in the capture of Zambada García and Guzmán López, highlighting that “they were captured in the U.S., without the intervention of Mexico.” This distinction underscores the independent nature of the U.S. operations and the delicate balance of collaboration and sovereignty in international law enforcement efforts.
President López Obrador’s Cautious Stance
During the ‘La Mañanera’ press conference, a notable moment arose when Rosa Icela Rodríguez sought permission from President López Obrador to discuss matters related to the captures. “Can I explain that…?” she asked, to which the President replied, “No,” indicating a strategic approach to managing sensitive information.
President López Obrador articulated the need for caution, stating, “We have to be careful until we have official information because it is a delicate matter. Imagine if it is not delicate that, as was said here, we are talking about the most famous, traditional, and long-standing groups that have been carrying out illegal activities. So, we do not want a decision that was made in this sense, this agreement or lack of agreement, to generate a greater internal conflict. We have to take care above all of the lives of Mexicans, of all of them.”