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Mexico Arrests Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman-Loera

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced on his twitter feed today that Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman-Loera has been arrested.

Details to follow once I've found and translated them.

Update: The NY Times says the arrest followed a shoot-out in Los Mochis. The operation was conducted by the Mexican Navy.

The raid followed a "tip" about persons at a certain residence being armed. Also at the residence: Orso Ivan Gastelum Cruz, a northern Sinaloa leader. It appears he was able to escape. Five others at the home were killed and six were detained.

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  • Display: Sort:
    He'll have to start a new tunnel (5.00 / 6) (#2)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jan 08, 2016 at 04:27:34 PM EST


    I'm not taking any bets (none / 0) (#3)
    by Zorba on Fri Jan 08, 2016 at 05:44:29 PM EST
    on how long it is before Guzman escapes again.
    I'm sure that he has embarrassed the Mexican government big time, and because of pride, they may want to be a bit more careful with him this time (given that he has escaped twice from Mexican maximum security prisons).
    But I never underestimate the power of pots of money (such as Guzman appears to have) to override any national pride, particularly when you are talking about lower-level functionaries in the prison system.  Or even higher up, for that matter.
    Maybe I'm being too cynical.  We shall see.

    Parent
    I sort of doubt that Mexican officials ... (none / 0) (#4)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 08, 2016 at 07:06:29 PM EST
    ... will turn "El Chapo" over to the country's prison system again, given their long and dubious experience with holding him and his two escapes.

    If I had to guess, I'd say that the Mexican Navy, which has proven itself during this long and bloody Drug War to be the most incorruptible of Mexico's military and police institutions, will maintain custody of Señor Guzman for the immediate future, at least until prosecutors decide his legal disposition.

    And who know? Those same prosecutors may punt, and decide instead to extradite Guzman to the Untied States to face charges and stand trial here. That would likely be El Chapo's ultimate nightmare.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Or Maybe (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jan 08, 2016 at 08:07:45 PM EST
    Just put him on the second floor.

    Parent
    You're correct, Donald. The U.S.A. (none / 0) (#6)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 08, 2016 at 07:13:42 PM EST
    is Planet Earth's GoTo Police State.

    Parent
    They say he's headed to the US Donald (none / 0) (#8)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 08, 2016 at 11:51:39 PM EST
    No, he's been returned to (none / 0) (#9)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Jan 09, 2016 at 02:31:35 AM EST
    Altiplano, the prison from which he escaped.

    There are injunctions in Mexico against immediate extradtion, see my most recent post.

    Parent

    Was that injunction pre-escape? (none / 0) (#10)
    by CoralGables on Sat Jan 09, 2016 at 10:28:24 AM EST
    no the injunctions were (none / 0) (#11)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Jan 09, 2016 at 12:55:38 PM EST
    post escape. I provided the details in earlier posts.

    Parent
    It looks like the Mexican Navy (none / 0) (#12)
    by Zorba on Sat Jan 09, 2016 at 03:51:00 PM EST
    did not maintain custody, he's back in Altiplano Prison, the most recent one he escaped from.

    Parent
    Then what happens with El Chapo ... (none / 0) (#13)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 10, 2016 at 04:25:34 PM EST
    ... is now the responsibility of President Enrique Peña Nieto. Let's hope Sr. Guzman doesn't escape yet again. He's clearly bad news. There's nothing at all admirable about a crime boss whose henchmen have vivisected people with chainsaws while they're still alive.

    Parent
    As Jeralyn has indicated, (none / 0) (#14)
    by Zorba on Sun Jan 10, 2016 at 05:40:45 PM EST
    It looks like they are working on extraditing him to the US.
    We shall see what comes of this.
    Not that we are perfect, but it does not seem as though Mexico can deal with him.
    And yes, he's nowhere near admirable.  If all he did was supply drugs to people who wanted them, that would be one thing, but the deaths, the thuggery, etc, no, that's way beyond the pale.  He needs to be put away some place where he can never, ever get out.

    Parent
    You can never be too cynical (none / 0) (#5)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 08, 2016 at 07:12:47 PM EST
    - or too rich.

    Parent
    From SEMAR Mexico (Ministry of the Navy): (none / 0) (#1)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 08, 2016 at 02:35:16 PM EST
    LINK (Translated to English):

    "The Ministry of the Navy has publicly disclosed that early this morning, during a raid at a home in the city of los Mochis, Sinaloa, marines were fired upon by suspected members of organized crime.

    "The incident occurred when naval personnel received a complaint from a citizen about a home where people were heavily armed, so in response to this, marines raided said home, where they were fired upon by people inside, and responded in self-defence, with the sole purpose of protecting the live of the marines who participated in such action.

    "Unfortunately, one of the marines, who is now out of danger, was wounded in this operation. On the other hand, five attackers were killed and six people were arrested.

    "Notably, it was learned in residence was Orso Ivan Gastelum Cruz, alleged leader of a noted northern Sinaloa criminal organization that operates in the area, according to the source.

    "This action also resulted in the capture of the following items:

    • 4 vehicles (including two armored);
    • 8 long weapons, 1 short gun, boots and ammunition that is otherwise reserved for exclusive use of the armed forces; and
    • 1 rocket launcher tube with two loads.

    "Both the detained personnel and secured material are being made available to the appropriate authorities. With these actions, the Secretary of the Navy of Mexico ratifies the Navy's commitment to Mexican families to maintain security in the country, and reaffirms that its marines developed its operations in accordance with the procedures established in the Manual on the use of force, drafted in common application to the three armed forces and with strict respect for human rights."

    GoPro-type Video (none / 0) (#15)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Jan 11, 2016 at 10:57:59 PM EST
    of the raid - brought to you - Edited - by the New York Times, here.  The same video - Edited - from the Washington Post.

    The original 14 min 59 sec Mexican Navy version is hosted by Youtube.  Look for 'Operativo "Cisne negro"'.  It's bloody and the Navy uses real grenades.

    SITE VIOLATOR (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 30, 2019 at 07:51:12 AM EST