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Mexico's Sheinbaum questions US role in 'El Mayo' Zambada capture, asks 'Who lied?'
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

Mexico's Sheinbaum questions US role in 'El Mayo' Zambada capture, asks 'Who lied?'

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Mexico's president is questioning the U.S. version of a major drug trafficker's capture, asking who lied.
  • President Claudia Sheinbaum cited a report suggesting the FBI participated in the operation, contradicting earlier U.S. statements.
  • The contradiction could violate international treaties and Mexican law, prompting a government review.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly challenged the U.S. narrative surrounding the capture of drug lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, demanding to know who was untruthful. Her questioning arose after a recent report indicated the FBI's involvement in the operation, a claim that directly conflicts with earlier assurances from U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar. Salazar had stated in 2024 that no U.S. agency participated in Zambada's transfer to American soil.

Sheinbaum expressed confusion over why the aircraft used for Zambada's transfer is now presented as a U.S. agency operation, especially given the prior official U.S. stance. "Who is lying? Who lied? Did Ambassador Ken Salazar lie?" she asked during a daily press conference. The president emphasized that if U.S. participation was confirmed without Mexico's knowledge, it could constitute a violation of international treaties, the Mexican Constitution, and the National Security Law.

Who is lying? Who lied? Did Ambassador Ken Salazar lie?

— Claudia SheinbaumDuring a daily press conference, President Sheinbaum questioned the U.S. version of the drug lord's capture.

In response to the discrepancy, the Mexican government has requested new information. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Attorney General's Office to investigate any potential crimes in the capture process and to seek information directly from the FBI. The government also affirmed its commitment to never making agreements with organized crime.

The controversy resurfaced when a report revealed the aircraft used to transport Zambada is now part of an FBI exhibit in a New Mexico museum. This detail reignited doubts about the U.S. authorities' role in the operation. Zambada's capture on July 25, 2024, previously caused a diplomatic rift between Mexico and the U.S. when Mexican authorities stated they were not notified beforehand. Zambada himself claims he was kidnapped by Joaquín Guzmán López, son of 'El Chapo' Guzmán, and moved against his will, a version differing from the initial U.S. account.

never will do agreements with any member nor with any organized crime organization, ever.

— Claudia SheinbaumThe Mexican president affirmed her government's stance against making deals with criminal organizations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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