Mystery Shrouds Capture of Sinaloa Cartel Leader El Mayo Zambada

Mexican authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. The arrest occurred after Zambada allegedly fell victim to a staged surrender by Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's son. Conflicting reports and official statements have added to the case's complexity.

Mexican authorities have launched an investigation into the events leading up to the arrest of Sinaloa Cartel chief Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, announced Mexico's security minister on Monday.

Zambada was apprehended Thursday near El Paso, Texas, after arriving by plane from Mexico. Reports from Reuters and other news outlets, citing anonymous U.S. officials, indicated that Zambada may have been deceived by a son of former Sinaloa Cartel chief Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, intending to surrender. However, Zambada's attorney, Frank Perez, refuted these claims on Saturday, asserting that Zambada was violently kidnapped by El Chapo's son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez.

Perez stated that Guzman Lopez and six men in military gear ambushed Zambada near Culiacan in Sinaloa, coerced him onto a plane, and transported him to the U.S. against his will. Zambada pleaded not guilty to drug charges on Friday in federal court in El Paso. Mexico's security minister, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, said the federal Attorney General's Office has initiated an investigation in the state of Sonora for potential crimes, including the flight's departure details.

Rodriguez emphasized that the Mexican government had no involvement in the operation and was informed on the day of the arrests that Guzman Lopez planned to surrender. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed at a press conference on Monday that his armed forces were not involved in Zambada's capture, contrary to claims by Zambada's lawyer of a military-style ambush.

Rodriguez added that U.S. officials notified Mexican authorities they were unaware both traffickers were on the plane. U.S. agents maintained that 'the flight was not planned by any U.S. agency,' despite earlier information that Guzman Lopez intended to surrender.

(With inputs from agencies.)