Mexico Probes Bodyguards' Disappearance After U.S. Arrest of Sinaloa Cartel Leaders

In a shocking turn of events following a high-profile U.S. arrest linked to the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, Mexican prosecutors have launched an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of two bodyguards. The arrests that triggered this investigation involved the co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel and the son of the infamous drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. The details surrounding these events have unveiled a web of kidnap and alleged collusion, further complicating an already convoluted narrative.

According to Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the notorious cartel's co-founder, he was reportedly kidnapped by the son of his former partner, Guzman, and armed assailants. Zambada described the incident as an ambush, leading to his forcible relocation to the United States, where both he and the Guzman heir were subsequently apprehended. In a letter disseminated by his legal representative, Zambada revealed that he was accompanied to the meeting with Guzman's son by Jose Heras, the head of Sinaloa state's judicial police, and Rodolfo Chaidez, a long-standing member of his security team.

The circumstances surrounding the arrest have sparked divergent narratives. The Guzman family lawyer characterized the incident as a voluntary surrender after protracted negotiations, a statement that has been met with skepticism. The Sinaloa state prosecutor, Sara Quinonez, has since reported the disappearance of both Heras and Chaidez, intensifying the intrigue surrounding these events. In a disconcerting revelation, it was disclosed that Heras, having been suspended from his post, was on vacation since July 15, and it coincided with what his family reported as a planned visit to a relative on the day of his disappearance.

Mexican President's Response

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has openly expressed his lack of knowledge regarding the circumstances of Zambada's arrest on July 25. He has vehemently criticized the U.S. government for its perceived lack of transparency in the matter. The U.S. embassy, for its part, has asserted that the flight transporting Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez from Mexico to a location near El Paso, Texas, was conducted independently and without the involvement of U.S. resources. Furthermore, it has been disclosed that the flight's itinerary was not communicated to U.S. authorities in advance.