Mexico President Peña Nieto: 'Delinquent' El Chapo Guzman Recaptured
From the Mexican National Palace on Friday afternoon, President Enrique Peña Nieto announced the capture of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who escaped prison several months ago.
“This Morning, in the municipal of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, members from the institutions of security of the government of the Republic managed to stop Joaquin Guzman,” said Peña Nieto, adding that his capture is a result of a joint cooperation of intelligence, security and justice departments of Mexico.
Peña Nieto said El Chapo's recapture is the result of valiant elements of its institutions that endured days and nights to complete its mission, that he ordered, “to recapture this criminal and present him before justice.”
Peña Nieto said that for months there has been intense and cautious intelligence and criminal investigation job to stop the influence of the "delinquent" Guzman. He added that Guzman's recapture proves that Mexican institutions have the necessary capabilities to affront those who threaten Mexican families.
The Mexican president said Guzman's capture shows that when Mexicans unite "there's no impossible adversity" to overcome.
Even with El Chapo's recapture, the president said its intelligence services will continue to coordinate to combat organized crime as Mexicans want to live in a place with laws and liberty. Peña Nieto said the arrest is important for the security institutions of the Mexican government as they demonstrated "once again" that Mexican citizens can trust them to have the power and determination to accomplish any mission.
Watch Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto’s Announcement:
Back in the U.S., Attorney General Lorretty Lynch released a statement after Peña Nieto's speech, stating the recapture is a "blow" to the international drug-trafficking syndicate he is alleged to have led, which is "a victory for the citizens of both Mexico and the United States, and a vindication of the rule of law in our countries."
"Guzman's latest attempt to escape has failed, and he will now have to answer for his alleged crimes, which have resulted in significant violence, suffering and corruption on multiple continents," said Lynch. "I commend the Government of Mexico for this arrest, and I salute the Mexican law enforcement and military personnel who have worked tirelessly in recent months to bring Guzman to justice. The U.S. Department of Justice is proud to maintain a close and effective relationship with our Mexican counterparts, and we look forward to continuing our work together to ensure the safety and security of all our people."
__
For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!