Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of infamous drug kingpin El Chapo, has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and weapons charges in a US court after being arrested in Texas. US prosecutors detailed a five-count indictment against him, leading to his detention pending trial. The arrest also involved Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a key figure in the Sinaloa cartel, who pleaded not guilty to drug charges as well. The circumstances of their arrest, with Guzman Lopez allegedly tricking Zambada into boarding a plane to the US, are under dispute.
The capture of these two figures has sparked speculation about the methods used by US authorities. President Lopez Obrador of Mexico has appealed to drug cartels to avoid violence, emphasizing the toll it takes on families. The Sinaloa cartel, where Zambada and Guzman Lopez were involved, has a history of internal conflict between different factions.
Despite the arrests, there were no immediate reports of increased violence, but the DEA sees the capture of Zambada as a significant blow to the cartel’s operations. The ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the arrest highlights the complexity of the situation. The capture of these individuals demonstrates the ongoing efforts of both US and Mexican authorities to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com