# Primary Article: How Ignoring the Capture Undermines Justice – By Adela Navarro Bello
From July 25 to August 11, 2024, the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) issued 35 informational bulletins covering specific sentences attained from investigations, extraditions, arrests, and crimes. Unfortunately, only one bulletin addressed the arrest of Ismael Zambada García, known as El Mayo, and Joaquín Guzmán López.
Strikingly, none of the FGR’s bulletins delved into the investigation files related to crimes such as drug offenses, possession of weapons, money laundering, or homicides associated with Zambada García and Guzmán López, notably suspected fentanyl traffickers.
In 2018, when Enrique Peña Nieto’s administration was governing, the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) issued a search warrant for Zambada García, offering a 30-million-peso reward for information leading to his capture. He was officially sought as the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, accused of organized crime, health-related offenses, arms stockpiling, and operations with illicit funds.
Today, the FGR, led by the largely absent Alejandro Gertz Manero, has not clarified whether the 30-million-peso reward was still active at the time of Zambada García’s capture by U.S. authorities. The arrest was allegedly facilitated by a civilian, who should be investigated by the FGR.
The justice system in Mexico, as operated since 2018, purportedly justifies withholding information on allegations against notorious criminals. This has left uncertainty about ongoing investigations against Zambada García and Guzmán López or any additional inquiries since the FGR’s inception in 2019.
It would have been appropriate for the FGR’s head to inform Mexicans about the accusations against the narcotrafficker upon his capture, announcing the intention to request extradition to have him tried in Mexico. However, this wasn’t the case. Instead, from July 25 to August 11, 2024, the FGR and its head remained silent on the matter.
When the FGR finally released a memo on August 11, 2024, it merely justified initiating an inquiry into the capture’s legality rather than addressing Zambada García’s alleged crimes. This cautious stance came days after Zambada García released a letter through his lawyer, revealing a narrative that included protection from state forces, political mediation, and details of his capture.
The FGR’s investigation primarily focuses on the procedural aspects of the arrests rather than the extensive criminal activities for which Zambada García had long been sought. The real travesty lies in the missed opportunity to end the impunity enjoyed for decades by the notorious Sinaloa cartel leader.
## Secondary Article: U.S. Authorities Arrest Notorious Drug Lords Zambada García and Guzmán López
In an unprecedented operation, U.S. authorities successfully captured Ismael Zambada García, leader of the Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquín Guzmán López, son of infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, on July 25, 2024. These high-profile arrests came as a result of intelligence and strategic planning, lacking involvement from Mexican officials.
Zambada García, known for his strategic mind and long-standing leadership within the Sinaloa cartel, has evaded capture for decades. His arrest marks a significant milestone in the effort to disrupt the cartel’s operations. Guzmán López, prominent in the illicit fentanyl trade, was arrested alongside him, adding another critical blow to the cartel.
The arrests are speculated to have been facilitated by an anonymous informant, raising questions about the security and reach of cartel operations across borders. Despite initial silence, Mexican authorities are now grappling with the implications of these captures and their impact on future extradition and trial processes.
While the focus has shifted to the nuances of the arrests, this event underscores the persistent international collaboration necessary to tackle organized crime and the drug trade’s far-reaching tentacles. The arrest signals hope that justice might finally catch up with the powerful cartel figures who have long operated with impunity.
For further details on the arrest and subsequent actions, stay tuned to TJGringo.com for the latest updates and in-depth analyses on these landmark events in the fight against organized crime.