Sheinbaum insists on clarifying 'El Mayo' case, responds to ex-U.S. envoy

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has pushed back against former U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar's call to move past the case of drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. Salazar had suggested the trafficker's arrest should be viewed as a triumph for both Mexico and the United States.

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It is not a matter of saying 'well, it happened, nothing else happens.' At least it must be said, and in this case, what U.S. agencies report is very contradictory. So, for Mexico – not for the President – for Mexico, for the people of Mexico, it is essential that all of this be clarified.

During her regular press conference, Sheinbaum stressed that clarifying the "El Mayo" case is essential for the good of Mexico-U.S. relations. She highlighted the need for mutual respect and trust without interference, stating that contradictory information from U.S. agencies requires clarification for the sake of Mexico and its people.

"It is not a matter of saying 'well, it happened, nothing else happens.' At least it must be said, and in this case, what U.S. agencies report is very contradictory," Sheinbaum said. She also raised concerns about the manner of the arrest and whether U.S. agencies interfered in Mexico without its involvement, noting the resulting conflict within the criminal group in Sinaloa.

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The way it was done and if it had to do with interference by United States agencies in our country, without Mexico's intervention, is very relevant. And it must also be said, the way a conflict was generated in that criminal group that has a situation of violence in the state (Sinaloa).

Regarding security cooperation, Sheinbaum asserted that Mexico has sufficient measures in place that are producing results. She reiterated the four guiding principles for the relationship: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, shared and differentiated responsibility, mutual respect and trust, and cooperation without subordination. She criticized past instances where presidents allowed U.S. agencies to plan and operate independently, deeming it a violation of sovereignty.

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What we have is sufficient and is yielding results.