**AMLO Unaware of Connection Between ‘El Mayo’ and Sinaloa State Prosecutor’s Escort**
On August 12, 2024, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador declared that his administration was unaware of allegations that Sinaloa drug cartel leader Ismael Mario Zambada García, commonly known as “El Mayo,” had a bodyguard who was linked to the Sinaloa State Prosecutor’s Office. Speaking during his morning press conference at the National Palace, the President expressed his concerns and emphasized the need for an investigation into the possible collusion between an official from the state’s justice institution and the notorious cartel co-founder.
When queried by a reporter about the government’s awareness of a commander from the Sinaloa Prosecutor’s Office allegedly providing security to “El Mayo”, López Obrador responded, “No, we did not know.” He further stated, “This is very serious. First, we need to find him because he has been missing. That’s the priority, and we hope he is found alive. Following that, we must thoroughly investigate when he joined the Sinaloa Prosecutor’s Office, his duties there, and any conditioning related to his appointment.”
These developments were initially reported by a local publication on August 12, 2024, highlighting the disappearance of José Rosario Heras López, a commander of the Investigative Police in Sinaloa, who was reported missing since July 25, 2024. Heras López was suspected of serving as a bodyguard to “El Mayo.”
The Investigative Police’s General Commissioner, Alberto Jorge Contreras Núñez, confirmed that Heras López was still an active officer assigned to El Salado, a Sinaloa region, for over a decade. “He is an active police officer assigned to that area,” Contreras said in an interview.
In a letter dated August 10, 2024, “El Mayo” admitted through his U.S.-based lawyer, Frank Pérez, that Heras López was part of his security team. The cartel leader detailed, “I was accompanied by four security personnel, two of whom stayed outside the perimeter. The two who entered with me were José Rosario Heras López and Rodolfo Chaidez, long-time members of my security.”
Further supporting this narrative, Heras López’s appointment as the coordinator for executing arrest warrants within the state police was reportedly made by Jesús Antonio Aguilar Íñiguez, a figure with a controversial past linked to shielding criminal groups, notably involving the Carrillo Fuentes family.
**Additional Information on the Case**
In an update from other news sources, Sinaloa’s Governor expressed his endorsement of fully disclosing all issues linked to these allegations. In a public statement, he praised the act of civil courage by various state authorities in refuting “El Mayo’s” remarks, emphasizing the state’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Moreover, a coalition of governors from the “Fourth Transformation” (4T) movement showed solidarity with Rocha Moya, the Governor of Sinaloa, denouncing what they termed as “false allegations” propagated by “El Mayo.” They affirmed their collective stance against any attempted disinformation aimed at undermining state institutions.
These revelations come amidst broader social concerns surrounding the potential entanglement of state officials with organized crime, and the governmental responses continue to unfold publicly. Both federal and local authorities are called upon to address the integrity of justice processes within regions historically affected by cartel influence.
For the latest updates and in-depth coverage of this unfolding story, visit TJGringo.com.