In a surprising turn of events, the scandal surrounding the mysterious landing of Mexico's most-wanted drug lord near El Paso, Texas in July is now threatening high-ranking officials in Mexico's ruling party. The focus is on whether the governor of Sinaloa, a state dominated by cartels and a close ally of the president, may have been involved in meetings with top leaders of the Sinaloa cartel, the main producer of deadly fentanyl responsible for the deaths of 70,000 Americans annually.
The saga involves a series of suspicious events that have raised questions about the government's stance on drug cartels. Federal prosecutors revealed that state officials in Sinaloa mishandled evidence related to the murder of a politician who allegedly lured a drug lord to a meeting with the governor, which ultimately led to the drug lord's abduction and arrest in the United States.
The governor has denied planning any meeting with the drug lord, but discrepancies in the investigation have cast doubt on his version of events. The state chief prosecutor resigned amidst the growing controversy, and federal prosecutors have taken over the case.
President López Obrador's drug policy, which emphasizes dialogue over confrontation with cartels, is facing scrutiny as the scandal unfolds. The president's assertions that the government does not make deals with cartels are being called into question, particularly in light of the unfolding events in Sinaloa.
While the president's approach to combating drug cartels has been met with criticism, the recent developments in Sinaloa have further complicated the government's stance on cartel relations. The credibility of key officials is now under scrutiny, and the investigation is ongoing to uncover the truth behind the scandal.