Mexico's President issued a public appeal to drug cartels on Monday, urging them not to engage in violent confrontations following the recent detention of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, two top Mexican drug lords. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador emphasized the futility of internal wars within the Sinaloa cartel, expressing concern for the potential harm to innocent lives and families.
Despite the deployment of 200 elite soldiers to Sinaloa as a precautionary measure, there were no immediate reports of increased violence over the weekend. The Sinaloa cartel has long been plagued by internal strife between factions loyal to Zambada and those following the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzman.
Zambada and Guzmán López were apprehended in Texas after arriving on a private airplane. The unexpected arrests have been a significant embarrassment for the Mexican government, as officials were unaware of the operation until its completion. Questions have arisen regarding the circumstances of Zambada's arrival in the U.S., with conflicting accounts suggesting he may have been forcibly taken by Guzmán López.
While U.S. authorities reportedly had ongoing negotiations with Guzmán López prior to the arrests, Mexican prosecutors are investigating the possibility of Zambada being kidnapped. Zambada's attorney refuted claims of voluntary surrender, alleging that his client was abducted and transported against his will.
Zambada, known for his ability to navigate complex criminal networks and corrupt officials, faces multiple drug-related charges in the U.S. His recent indictment in New York portrays him as a key figure in a criminal enterprise responsible for large-scale drug trafficking into the United States.
President López Obrador's public plea for peace reflects ongoing efforts to mitigate violence and instability caused by drug cartels in Mexico. The situation remains fluid as authorities work to unravel the complexities surrounding the arrests and their potential implications for the criminal underworld.
