"Government's Shield for Drug Traffickers"
In a significant development, Ovidio Guzmán, a key figure associated with the Sinaloa Cartel, has pleaded guilty in a US court and is expected to face trial resuming in January with an interim hearing. This cooperation has the potential to unveil sensitive and damaging information about political and military figures connected to the Sinaloa Cartel and Mexican domestic corruption, although the full scope remains confidential at this time.
The operation to capture Ovidio Guzmán in 2019 resulted in chaos, with at least ten dead soldiers and a mess. The controversy surrounding his apprehension in the town of Jesús María and subsequent handover to the US in 2023 has not died down. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed displeasure over Jeffrey Lichtman's statement, suggesting she may face pressure to expose corrupt officials.
Life in Sinaloa is marked by a high level of uncertainty and danger, making a normal life almost impossible. Narco-inflation, or increased expenses due to extortion, affects many small businesses in Sinaloa. Clothing boutiques and plastic surgeons are among those suffering due to the violence. In fact, many small businesses in the region are closing due to the security situation.
Signs in Sinaloa now read "For Rent" or "For Sale" due to the economic impact of the violence. The civilian population lives in a constant state of war, with regular gunfire and high rates of emigration due to violence. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has visited Sinaloa at least twelve times, seven of those to Badiraguato.
The political impact is already evident as Mexican authorities and political leaders express outrage and concern. President Sheinbaum criticized U.S. negotiations with cartel figures like Ovidio and questioned the consistency of U.S. policies against designated terrorist organizations. The cooperation deal is roiling Mexican politics by potentially exposing a “web of official corruption” connected to cartel activities, which could implicate politicians and possibly military personnel.
Experts note that securing Ovidio’s cooperation could help U.S. prosecutors attack corruption in Mexico and undermine the cartel’s influence. While specific details of Ovidio’s cooperation or the extent of the information he has provided have not been publicly disclosed, U.S. prosecutors emphasize the importance of his plea and cooperation to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations and to address corruption linked to the cartel.
After the trial, Ovidio Guzmán will automatically enter the witness protection program. Ovidio Guzmán may possess sensitive information about politicians or military personnel, which could have a profound impact on the future of Mexican politics. As the trial unfolds, the world will be watching to see what secrets Ovidio Guzmán will reveal.
In the realm of Mexican politics, the upcoming trial of Ovidio Guzmán, a key Sinaloa Cartel figure, could potentially Unearth damaging information about various political and military figures, as well as expose a "web of official corruption" linked to cartel activities. Post-trial, Guzmán will enter the witness protection program, possessing sensitive information that could have a significant influence on the future of Mexican politics.
