Zambada's Attorney Claims Kidnapping, Not Surrender

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada's attorney, Frank Pérez, has asserted that his client was kidnapped rather than surrendering to U.S. authorities. Zambada, the alleged co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, is said to have been forcibly taken by Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Pérez claims that Zambada, 76, was bound and transported to the U.S. against his will, countering earlier statements from Mexican officials suggesting he may have voluntarily entered the U.S. as part of a deal. Mexican Security Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez clarified that the Mexican government was not involved in Zambada's detention but emphasized ongoing collaboration with U.S. authorities. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador acknowledged the significance of Zambada and Guzmán López's arrests in the broader fight against drug trafficking, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their capture. He noted that their presence in custody reflects a cooperative effort between Mexico and the U.S. However, the U.S. operation to apprehend Zambada and Guzmán López has sparked outrage among Mexican officials, who were reportedly not informed in advance. A U.S. source indicated that Mexican authorities were "totally pissed" about the lack of communication, as U.S. officials feared that sharing details could jeopardize the operation. Zambada has pleaded not guilty to all charges in U.S. District Court and is scheduled for a status conference on August 1.