"El Chapo" Guzman Reportedly Captured

As could be expected, details of the El Chapo arrest are starting to be made public. It appears that he was "done in" by social networks and modern technology in the form of cell and satellite phones along with drones. I find it interesting that it has been known for quite some time that these were the tools (except drones) that the cartels were using to their advantage for communications:
http://www.borderlandbeat.com/

Apparently they came very close to capturing him last Monday in Culiacan but he escaped through a network of elaborate tunnels. The following article has video of these tunnels:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/mexico/10657382/Mexico-drug-lord-El-Chapos-network-of-secret-tunnels.html

Regarding the speculation that following the arrest of El Chapo that there will be more violence than usual between the Sinaloa cartel and Zetas. The persons I have talked with about this seem to think that the leadership of the Sinaloa cartel has planned for this and as a result new leaders are already in place. Of course, if the Zetas sense weakness then there could be more blood than usual. This seems to be a serious game of whack a mole.

   

How would you like messing with El Mayo when he drives around with this in his front seat:
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The new guy is Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who has already been in charge of running the Sinaloa Cartel while Chapo Guzman was in hiding. Interestingly, there seems to be a "federation" forming among the cartels in order to manage business without having to kill each other. Notice that a number of high-ranking cartel bosses have been arrested lately without any shots being fired. The previous regime's shoot-to-kill policies have been replaced by a new kinder and gentler approach to law enforcement. Now it is time for the cartels to deescalate the war as well.

Its been an interesting morning. I spent some time with 3 Mexican friends this morning. None of them believe that the "real" El Chapo has been captured. The theory is that the President and Obama made a political/monetary deal with El Chapo. They believe the man taken into custody was a double. this theory is also expressed in some of the Mexican Facebook websites.

La leyenda de Chapo Guzman continua...

....and JFK is on an island in Greece, Hitler is in South America, and Elvis is somewhere.

Conspiracy theories are a popular thing on social media right now. Sandy Hook, 911, Boston Marsthon...everything. It's ridiculous.

El Corrido del Chapo Guzman...

Smartalex wrote:The new guy is Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who has already been in charge of running the Sinaloa Cartel while Chapo Guzman was in hiding. Interestingly, there seems to be a "federation" forming among the cartels in order to manage business without having to kill each other. Notice that a number of high-ranking cartel bosses have been arrested lately without any shots being fired. The previous regime's shoot-to-kill policies have been replaced by a new kinder and gentler approach to law enforcement. Now it is time for the cartels to deescalate the war as well.

I was thinking about some of these aspects when I was talking to a friend of mine about it this morning. (He's lived here his whole life.) He called it a "circus".

At the moment, I'm beginning to think the whole arrest was orchestrated and under some kind of agreement. I mean, really. After all this time, and with as much protection as he undoubtedly had with him, he's arrested and not a single shot is fired by either side???

Really???

Rosa...Then you'll find this L.A. Times article of interest:

http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-mexico-guzman-capture-20140224,0,457742,full.story#axzz2uHc18FVC

Interesting. Thanks for the link. No shortage of possibilities... or theories. As usual.

I guess it isn't outside the realm of possibility that they arrested a double in spite of claims that the DNA tests confirmed his identity. This case is so high profile and the US certainly isn't the only country that wants him! Hell, the US hasn't even figured out just what court jurisdiction (Chicago, New York, El Paso, San Diego, etc) has the strongest case. With the far reaching tentacles of his organization, I would guess that countries such as Australia where he is said to have an operation may also be interested? My preference would be to see the US put him on trial and see what kind of circus evolves. Unless there is a whole bunch that none of us know (a real possibility), I don't see him being able to beat the system and off to Supermax we go.

Here's a look at the Altiplano prison, Mexico's own supermax. Shorty ain't gettin' out of here. Politically, he has value to EPN right here at home. As pointed out in the L.A. Times story about his capture, he's kind of a human trophy. EPN can always point to Chapo and say, "The Panistas couldn't hold him...but I can."

On the other hand, he could be a political liability to the U.S. government if extradited to the U.S. Chapo will surely claim he was operating in cooperation with U.S. agencies such as the DEA, CIA, ATF, ETC. His lawyers will request all government documents dealing with that cooperation. Is this the circus you're so eager to see, Cheena?

Incidentally, does anyone know the story of Chapo's earlier escape? I'm increasingly less inclined to believe the official version of his being wheeled out in a laundry cart and more inclined to believe the alternative version of him dressed up in a police uniform and walking out the front door.

http://noticias.univision.com/article/1861726/2014-02-23/mexico/el-altiplano-la-fortaleza-que-custodia-al-chapo

Smartalex:

I didn't intend to make it look like I was looking forward to a circus but high profile trials here in the US so often turn into such. However, some of the more recent "drug kingpin" trials have been fairly quiet with side deal and plea bargains. In this particular case, should Mexico allow extradition, I kind of doubt that anything short of a life sentence will be met in a positive manner.

http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2014/02/chapo-guzman-dead/

http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2014/02/cartel-leader-chapo-guzman-alive-and-kicking-wants-to-avoid-extradition-to-the-u-s/

Lady Otter Latté wrote:http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2014/02/cartel-leader-chapo-guzman-alive-and-kicking-wants-to-avoid-extradition-to-the-u-s/

Thank you.

How come no other reports?

From today's online edition of INFORMADOR appears(?) to indicate that El Chapo still owes 13 years for his prior conviction that he didn't serve because of his escape. The mysterious statement in this article is: "The leak of "Chapo" is not considered a crime, so they would not join more years in prison for it." Does this mean that it isn't a crime in Mexico to escape from prison?

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dinformador%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DOFN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26channel%3Dsb&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=es&u=http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2014/515215/6/el-chapo-pasaria-mas-de-30-anos-en-la-carcel-afirman.htm&usg=ALkJrhiHTVQMEvwJJQIp4WigNRFqV-yONQ

In another article, they indicate that one of his cohorts who was extradited to Chicago has now agreed to plead guilty because he was concerned about getting a life sentence if he went to trial:

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dinformador%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DOFN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26channel%3Dsb&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=es&u=http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2014/515177/6/complice-del-chapo-se-declarara-culpable-en-chicago.htm&usg=ALkJrhiM3wufhZAwO6iVYSzUaMhcPBuuFg

Prediction: killed or suicide while in prison=  conspiracy theories. .. meanwhile in witness protection program somewhere on earth.

Chapo is facing eight additional charges in five separate jurisdictions in Mexico. The charges range from participating in organized crime to murder. All these cases will have to be adjudicated before extradition to the U.S. becomes a real issue. Speculation is that the murder charges will be hard to prove but he will be sentenced to an additional 30 years in prison for the organized crime charges, which will be added onto the 13 years he still owes the government on his previous convictions.

Cheena...I had the same amazement as you when reading that prison escape is not considered a crime. WTF?

Smartalex wrote:
Cheena...I had the same amazement as you when reading that prison escape is not considered a crime. WTF?

That is strange,the prison officials who aided him in his escape got lengthy sentences for their particpation.Back in the old days application of  the Ley de Fuga by the Rurales was common practice here...

There are protest demonstrations in Culiacan over the arrest and confinement of Chapo.
Kind of.... "set our Santo free"    

Here is a different (and interesting) take on the narco mythology:
http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/2/el-chapo-guzman-sinaloadrugcartelarrestmexico.html

From INFORMADOR, a fairly impressive list of El Chapo's vehicles that have already been confiscated - take note of the ones that are armored (shielded):

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dinformador%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DrU4%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26channel%3Dsb&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=es&u=http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2014/515429/6/la-pgr-decomisa-43-vehiculos-al-chapo-guzman.htm&usg=ALkJrhiE7ucTdjWxjMJ-86XKuHHU3rdEAQ