By Ricardo Lezama 
Arrests of Key Mexican Drug Capos
In light of the recent “El Mayo” arrest, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico’s president has shown defiance at the hint of any links between his government and drug traffickers. In fact, there are two prior Mexico presidential administrations with their cabinet members already under US custody.
Nonetheless, the potential political ties of notorious Mexican narcotrafficker Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López will be confirmed in a US New York federal court. Both men were recently apprehended, a development that took the Mexican government by surprise, but for some analysts was anything but a planned surrender. For instance, Jesus Esquivel mentioned that the DEA had been in contact with El Mayo since 2019 as they negotiated his surrender via his son, Vicente Zambada Niebla. Vicente has been in US custody since 2010, but is now believed to be collaborating with US authorities. Some allege that he has done so in a manner beneficial to both his father and the DEA’s political pressure to garner arrests of other kingpins.
In 2016, Zambada Niebla testified against El Chapo to help federal prosecutors obtain a life sentence against the very media friendly capo. El Chapo was interviewed by Sean Penn and Kate del Castillo in 2015. Some believe this is exactly what led to his detention, which seems likely since these media figures would be relatively easy to track. In fact, Penn has been known to collaborate with government agencies and could have been tipping off authorities the entire time as some have speculated.
Public Reaction and Warnings
The public response to these arrests has been mixed, with critics arguing that they are anything but a clear-cut victory. Concerns have been sparked over the potential ramifications of these arrests, with some questioning whether they will lead to further destabilization in Mexico’s illicit drug trade. Zambada was seen as a measured boss who could focus his group on purely commercial – if illegal – activities.
However, López Obrador, often referred to by his initials AMLO, has remained undeterred. He has not only welcomed the arrests but also urged “El Mayo” to disclose any connections that the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, may have with Mexican and American officials. The accusation is not unsubstantiated as Mexico’s prior Drug War Czar has been arrested and charge with conspiracy to distribute narcotics even while acting as Mexico’s top cop and maintaining a strategic alliance with El Chapo and El Mayo.
Pending Trial in New York
Ismael Zambada alias “El Mayo” is expected to face at least 17 criminal charges in a New York court. This situation promises intense scrutiny of potential government-narco cooperation, particularly if Zambada responds to AMLO’s call for disclosure. As Mexico’s leader continues to request transparency, the international community awaits further developments, including potential implications for Mexican-U.S. relations.