Intrigue and Arrests: Unveiling the Sinaloa Cartel Saga

Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of El Chapo, did not kidnap drug lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, according to the Guzman family's lawyer. Both were arrested by U.S. agents in New Mexico. The arrests sparked speculation about betrayal, but the Guzman family lawyer insists the surrender was voluntary.

The son of jailed Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman did not kidnap drug lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, the Guzman family's lawyer said on Wednesday. This follows reports suggesting Guzman's son had betrayed Zambada to U.S. authorities.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Zambada, key figures in Mexican drug trafficking, were arrested last week by U.S. agents after landing at a small airfield in New Mexico. The arrests were made without the knowledge of the Mexican government, leading to speculation about whether the two had surrendered voluntarily or if Guzman Lopez had entrapped Zambada.

'A kidnapping is out of the question,' said Jose Luis Gonzalez, the Guzman family lawyer, to Radio Formula. He clarified that Guzman Lopez adhered to his father's rules and didn't betray the 76-year-old Zambada, who helped co-found the Sinaloa Cartel. Contrary to Gonzalez's claims, Zambada's lawyer, Frank Perez, stated that Guzman Lopez and men in military uniforms forcibly took Zambada onto a plane to the United States. Both Guzman Lopez and Zambada have pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in U.S. courts. The Guzman family lawyer contends that the arrests followed four years of negotiations with U.S. authorities and were voluntary.

(With inputs from agencies.)