# Potential Link Between “El Mayo” Kidnapping and Ovidio’s Release in the US
The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) announced on August 29, 2024, that it has obtained “evidence of a chronological sequence” that begins with the release of Ovidio Guzmán López – also known as “El Ratón”, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera and alleged leader of “Los Chapitos”, “Los Menores”, and/or “Los Chiquillos” – from a high-security US prison on July 23, 2024, just two days before the alleged kidnapping of Ismael Mario Zambada García, alias “El Mayo”, by Joaquín “El Güero Moreno” López, aged 38.
The FGR states, “In the investigation of the ‘Ismael N-Joaquín N’ case, we have obtained evidence initiation with the release of Ovidio ‘G’ from a US high-security prison on July 23, 2024, (two days before the alleged kidnapping of Ismael ‘N’).”
Further, it was reported that on August 9, 2024, the US Ambassador to Mexico declared publicly that Ismael ‘N’ had been taken to the US against his will. The following day, Ismael ‘N’s lawyer, Frank Pérez, published a detailed statement from the alleged kidnapping victim describing the violent event. This document is now part of the investigational file.
Moreover, US Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that Ismael ‘N’ had been taken to the US involuntarily and acknowledged proposals from Joaquín ‘N’ to surrender to US authorities.
Regarding the aircraft allegedly used for the kidnapping, the North American government allowed Mexican authorities to inspect it on their territory. The aircraft had the registration N287KA and serial BB1137, both falsified. Its legal registry was N44JN and series BB191. Originally, in 2019, it was registered as N200TP in the US, later as HK4658G in Colombia, and returned to the US registration N44JN in 2021 under alleged falsified credentials.
The FGR emphasizes, “The connection between Ovidio ‘G’s situation and location; his brother Joaquín’s participation in the alleged kidnapping of Ismael ‘N,’ the violent nature of the kidnapping, and irregularities surrounding the aircraft and flight are crucial in this investigation into crimes committed in Mexico.”
Furthermore, the FGR seeks urgent information and identification of the pilots involved, whose approach and landing in the US were authorized by competent US agencies. Despite multiple requests via international legal aid and INTERPOL, no response has been received.
Additionally, the FGR probes the murder of Héctor “N” and Ismael ‘N’s alleged bodyguards in Culiacán, Sinaloa, examining the involvement of local officials, police, and experts in the proceedings.
On the same date, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Rosa Icela Rodríguez clarified that Ovidio Guzmán López had not been released in the US but had his detention conditions altered and was transferred, though the specific location remains undisclosed.
During President López Obrador’s press conference, Rodríguez addressed queries regarding Ovidio’s witness protection status, confirming only that on July 23, 2024, he left his initial facility and remains in US custody, with no confirmation of his protected witness status.
The US Embassy also asserted that Ovidio had not been released but underwent a change in detainment conditions, pending official communication due to Mexico’s cooperation in his extradition and capture.
Ran concurrently with a complex judicial process in Chicago, various charges against Ovidio include conspiracy to distribute narcotics and money laundering, facing additional trials in both Chicago and New York for multiple charges, including possessing firearms and trafficking.
**Secondary Article: New Insights and Global Reactions to “El Mayo” Kidnapping Case**
Recent developments have brought the case of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada into global focus. The release of Ovidio Guzmán López from US custody has reignited discussions regarding cross-border crime and its implications for international relations and law enforcement.
—
**International Tensions Soar Over Kidnapping Incident**
The timing of Zambada’s alleged kidnapping has raised concerns among law enforcement agencies and policymakers. The swift sequence of events following Ovidio’s transfer hints at ulterior motives and suggests a possible orchestrated effort by criminal entities straddling both the US and Mexico. Analysts underscore the significance of joint investigations and scrupulous sharing of intelligence between nations to untangle these intricate criminal networks.
—
**Drug Cartel Dynamics in Flux**
Experts on organized crime suggest that the shifting dynamics within the Mexican cartels, especially following high-profile arrests and extraditions, could influence the balance of power and operations within these groups. The kidnapping of a figure as significant as “El Mayo” underscores the volatility within these factions and their relentless pursuit of control and influence.
—
**Legal Challenges and Human Rights Concern**
As authorities delve deeper into these high-profile investigations, questions surrounding human rights, legal protocols, and the extent of international cooperation come to the forefront. The potential human rights implications for those involved in these trans-national criminal activities cannot be overlooked, demanding meticulous legal scrutiny and humanitarian consideration.
—
**Collaboration and Chronicling Crime**
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing binational law enforcement collaboration. Accurate chronicling and the continuous scrutinization of such high-stakes criminal activities are paramount in maintaining a grasp on evolving cartel strategies and ensuring the effectiveness of judicial measures against organized crime.
The ongoing investigation continues to attract global attention, casting a spotlight on the operational depths of organized crime and the far-reaching implications for governmental and humanitarian entities working towards mitigating these ubiquitous threats.
**Next Steps in Investigation**
Both Mexico and US officials continue to call for more comprehensive data exchanges, urging expedited responses to international communications to aid in tracking down the culprits and unraveling the full extent of this complex criminal narrative.