Joaqu铆n Guzm谩n L贸pez, 39, son of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaqu铆n "El Chapo" Guzm谩n, has pleaded guilty to two counts of drug trafficking and continuing criminal enterprise in federal court in Chicago. This plea agreement has revealed details regarding the abduction of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a prominent leader of the Sinaloa cartel.
Zambada's Abduction Details
According to the plea hearing, armed individuals entered through a window to ambush Zambada. He was subsequently loaded onto an aircraft, administered sedatives, and transported across the border into the United States. This event occurred in July 2024.
While the plea agreement did not explicitly name Zambada, a letter from him, released shortly after his arrest, stated he had been called to a meeting with Guzm谩n L贸pez, where he was then abducted.
U.S. government attorney Andrew Erskine indicated that the alleged kidnapping was part of an attempt to demonstrate cooperation with Washington, which did not sanction these actions. Erskine also stated that Guzm谩n L贸pez would not receive cooperation credit due to this incident.
Government Reactions and Aftermath
The arrests of both individuals by U.S. authorities prompted a diplomatic response from Mexico's then-President Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador, who expressed suspicion regarding U.S. government involvement in the operation. Washington denied any involvement.
Erskine described the abduction in court, stating that Guzm谩n L贸pez had directed the removal of a floor-to-ceiling window from a room prior to the meeting. Others then entered through the opening, seized the individual, placed a bag over his head, and transported him to a plane. On board, he was restrained with zip ties and given sedatives before the plane landed at a New Mexico airport near the Texas border.
Zambada's letter indicated that Guzm谩n L贸pez had summoned him to a meeting on the outskirts of Culiac谩n, Sinaloa, alongside local politicians. Upon arrival, Zambada reported observing numerous armed individuals in green military uniforms, whom he identified as gunmen associated with the "Chapitos" faction of the cartel. Despite factional rivalries, Zambada maintained communication with them.
On the plane, only the pilot, Zambada, and Guzm谩n L贸pez were present. Zambada was given a drink containing sedatives, which Guzm谩n L贸pez also consumed a small amount of, according to Guzm谩n L贸pez's account.
Following the arrests, Mexico's Attorney General's Office announced it was considering treason charges against Guzm谩n L贸pez or others who aided in the plot. The arrests also initiated conflicts between rival cartel factions in Sinaloa for control of operations, leading to ongoing violence that President Claudia Sheinbaum is currently addressing.
Legal Outcomes
Guzm谩n L贸pez's defense attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, stated that his client is expected to avoid a life sentence as a result of the plea deal. Joaqu铆n "El Chapo" Guzm谩n is currently serving a life sentence following his 2019 conviction for his role as the former leader of the Sinaloa cartel, involving the smuggling of cocaine and other drugs into the United States over 25 years.