El Chapo Seeks Mexico’s Help to Return From US Prison

Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, in a prison uniform

United States — Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, has requested the Mexican government’s help to be transferred back to Mexico, according to a letter released by his legal team.

Guzmán, who is serving a life sentence plus 30 years in a US maximum-security prison, addressed a letter to President Claudia Sheinbaum alleging human rights violations and harsh conditions in his confinement since his extradition to the United States in 2017.

In the document, the drug lord claims he is subjected to extreme solitary confinement and asks Mexican authorities to consider diplomatic intervention to arrange his return to a prison in Mexico, where he could serve the remainder of his sentence.

The request comes as Guzmán serves a life term imposed by a US federal court after he was convicted on multiple charges including drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering.

So far, the Mexican government has not issued an official response. Experts say any potential transfer would depend on bilateral agreements and the laws of both countries.


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By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes reports on environmental policy, conservation, infrastructure, and politics across the Yucatán Peninsula. She tracks developments from mangrove protections and sargassum management to mega-projects and legislative changes, providing English-speaking readers with a clear view of how policy shapes life in Quintana Roo.

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