MEXICO CITY – Mexican authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recent arrest in the U.S. of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the leader of Mexico’s infamous Sinaloa cartel. As reported by Emily’s Hope, Zambada, along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, was apprehended in El Paso, Texas. Zambada co-founded the cartel with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is Joaquin Guzman Lopez’s father.
Several news outlets, including the Associated Press, reported that El Mayo appeared to have been tricked by Joaquin, who wanted to surrender, into flying to the U.S. USA Today interviewed Zambada’s attorney, who said that his client was forcibly kidnapped.
During a press conference, Mexico’s security minister, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, announced that the federal Attorney General’s Office is investigating potential crimes associated with the arrest. Rodriguez clarified that the Mexican government was not involved in the operation and stated that U.S. officials assured her the flight was not orchestrated by any U.S. agency.