Background and Relevance of Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the President of Mexico, has emphasized the need for clearer coordination between the United States and Mexico, particularly with the Fiscal General de la República (FGR), in cases like that of Ovidio Guzmán López, also known as “El Ratón.” This situation arose after it was revealed that the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán decided to plead guilty in the United States and cooperate with authorities.
Sheinbaum’s Statement and Concerns
During her morning press conference on July 3, Sheinbaum highlighted that Mexico’s government does not defend anyone and stressed the impact of such detentions, like the one in Sinaloa, which has high homicide rates. She reminded the public that Ovidio Guzmán’s capture in January 2023 was a Mexican government operation resulting in military casualties and subsequent extradition to the United States.
Sheinbaum questioned the U.S. government’s stance on criminal organizations in Mexico and their actions, suggesting these topics should be addressed in discussions with U.S. authorities.
Ovidio Guzmán’s Plea and U.S. Response
Following the news that Ovidio Guzmán’s son agreed to plead guilty, the federal prosecution in New York dropped narcotics charges against him after receiving his consent to forgo the trial and face sentencing in Chicago. This decision aims to avoid a life sentence, coinciding with the recent arrival of 17 of his relatives in the U.S., including his mother and wife, fueling speculation about a possible deal.
Violence in Sinaloa
The recent hours have been violent along the border of Cosalá and Elota municipalities in Sinaloa.
- Local media reported the discovery of homemade-armored vehicles following alleged clashes among armed civilians.
- The past few days in Sinaloa have been particularly violent. In the first two days of July, there have been seven reported homicides in the state.
- However, on June 30 alone, there were 30 reported homicides in the state, according to the federal government’s daily security report.
Under President Rubén Rocha Moya’s administration, at least one person was killed every hour in Sinaloa. This marked the most violent day for the state so far this year.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the situation regarding Ovidio Guzmán López? Ovidio Guzmán’s son pleaded guilty in the U.S., leading to the dropping of narcotics charges against him.
- Why is President Sheinbaum calling for more information from the EU? Sheinbaum seeks clearer coordination between the U.S. and Mexico, particularly with the FGR, in cases like Ovidio Guzmán’s.
- What is the current state of violence in Sinaloa? The region has experienced heightened violence, with multiple homicides reported daily.
