Two top leaders of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most dominant criminal groups in Mexico, have surrendered to American law enforcement and are in custody in the United States, according to four people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly.
The two operatives, Ismael Zambada García and Joaquín Guzmán López, are among the most powerful drug traffickers in Mexico and command massive transnational cocaine and fentanyl businesses that move narcotics into the United States, Europe and elsewhere. Both men were in custody in El Paso, Texas.
Mr. Zambada García, who is known as “El Mayo,” has been pursued by the U.S. government for years and has been charged in several federal indictments stretching back more than two decades.
He has never been imprisoned, unlike his top ally, Joaquin Guzmán Loera, known as El Chapo, who was extradited to the United States, convicted in Brooklyn federal court in 2019 and sentenced to life in prison on drug conspiracy charges.
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If you were in charge, how would you balance between punishing powerful criminal figures and addressing the root causes of crime?
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What do you think are the ethical implications of negotiating with criminals to surrender?
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How does the surrender of such high-profile criminals affect your perception of safety and crime in your own community?
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How would you feel if a known criminal leader was captured and brought to justice in your country?
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Do you believe in giving people like cartel leaders a chance for redemption or rehabilitation?
