Mexico Questions FBI’s Role in Sinaloa Cartel Kidnapping

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has openly criticized the U.S. government regarding its alleged involvement in the 2024 kidnapping of former Sinaloa cartel leader “El Mayo” Zambada. She claims the U.S. misled Mexico about its role in the incident, arguing that it infringed upon the country’s sovereignty. This situation has sparked significant concerns over the diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, particularly regarding U.S. actions within Mexico.

In a recent court ruling, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia, who co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel, received a life sentence in a U.S. prison and was ordered to forfeit $15 billion related to drug trafficking. U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan remarked that he had no alternative but to impose a life sentence due to the severity of the charges, while also stating that he believed it was the appropriate consequence for Zambada’s actions.

The judge noted, “The staggering volume of drugs linked to him, along with the numerous documented murders, warranted this mandatory life sentence.” Zambada’s sentencing is notable, as he is among the most significant Mexican drug traffickers to be sentenced by a U.S. court, following Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman’s life sentence in 2019.

Zambada, now 76, had agreed to plead guilty to several charges in August 2025 after the Justice Department decided against seeking the death penalty. His arrest took place in July 2024 alongside Joaquín Guzmán López, El Chapo’s son, who has also pleaded guilty to various charges, including drug trafficking and kidnapping.

Federal prosecutor Joseph Nocera shared that Guzmán López confessed to kidnapping Zambada to gain favor and trust from U.S. law enforcement. Although Guzmán López has not yet received a sentence, Nocera emphasized that the U.S. does not support kidnappings and has made this clear during the proceedings.

During the sentencing, Zambada said he takes responsibility for the damage his actions caused, lamenting, “No one wins in a war like this. I hope the next generation chooses a different path.” Judge Cogan recommended that Zambada be placed in a facility that can provide adequate medical care, given his ongoing health issues.

Nocera also commented, “Ismael Zambada García spent nearly 40 years inflicting harm on American communities, amassing billions in profits and ordering countless murders. Today, we close that chapter forever.” Overall, this case reflects the intense measures involved in combatting drug trafficking and violence, with law enforcement from both countries working to ensure accountability for such significant criminal actions.